Steelers matchup will prove if Chargers' J.K. Dobbins is the real deal

The Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman effect appears to be real. We're two games into the NFL season and both coaches have implemented a revamped rushing attack that has quickly become the identity of the offense. Leading the way is a running back who is a little familiar with the LA Chargers' next opponent.

J.K. Dobbins has been lightning in a bottle for the Bolts. The new Chargers running back leads the NFL with 266 rushing yards through two games off of 27 carries, ballooning his yards-per-carry average to an incredible 9.9.

Add a pair of touchdowns and 100-yard rushing games to his stat sheet, and the 25-year-old has arguably been the league's hottest running back in both real life and fantasy football to start the campaign.

The former Baltimore Raven has displayed his versatility as both an effective power rusher between the tackles and an explosive one who can break off huge chunk plays. But his electric start to the season is a surprise to many in the football sphere, given the myriad of injuries he's suffered that have derailed much of his career since 2020.

And now he will face undoubtedly his toughest test yet as a Charger in Week 3, one that could serve as a barometer for how effective he truly is in this offense.

Steelers defense is tall task for J.K. Dobbins and the Chargers

Nothing in life is certain except for death, taxes, and the Steelers having an elite defense. The latter has held true once again through eight quarters of play this season. The black and gold, led by future Hall of Famer T.J. Watt, have thwarted a pair of promising offenses.

The Steelers opened the campaign by bottling up Atlanta Falcons star running back Bijan Robinson. The second-year stud was held to just 68 yards rushing on 18 carries for a subpar 3.8 yards-per-carry, an underwhelming average for one of the NFL's most explosive rushers. The Steelers would go on to win 18-10.

Pittsburgh followed that up by clamping down on the Denver Broncos rushing offense this past Sunday. Denver's run game is far from a proven commodity, but running back Javonte Williams has shown flashes of brilliance and rookie quarterback Bo Nix is a more dangerous runner than many people realize. Yet, the Broncos only amassed 64 total rushing yards on 19 carries against this vaunted Steelers defense.

Again, Denver is not known for having a potent rushing game. But anytime an NFL offense is capped below 70 total yards on the ground, it represents the quality of their defensive foe.

Unfortunately for the Chargers, this defensive unit is loaded with premier talent, including Watt, defensive end Cameron Heyward, linebacker Alex Highsmith, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, and a couple of former Ravens.

Lack of history between J.K. Dobbins and Steelers

You may think Dobbins is extremely familiar with the Steelers' brute defense because of his four-year stint in Baltimore. But that is far from reality.

The former Raven was slated to face the Steelers eight times during his Baltimore tenure. But he only played them three times thanks to his aforementioned injury issues. Despite that, he thrived against the Ravens' arch-rivals by racking up 108.7 rushing yards per game and 6.94 yards per carry in the trio of tilts.

Two players he is familiar with are linebacker Patrick Queen and safety DeShon Elliott, former Ravens who are now key pieces of the Steelers defensive core. Dobbins addressed the impending matchup with Queen and the Steelers during an appearance on The Jim Rome Show on Monday.

"Early thought is, I know it's going to be a fight. I got some old teammates over there. Patrick Queen, I know him very well. I know he is going to come with it. DeShonn Elliott. I know he is going to come with it. I know these guys are going to be tough. Coach [Mike] Tomlin, legendary coach. He is gonna have his team ready as well, and there is going to be a fight."

- J.K. Dobbins, via The Jim Rome Show

Queen and Elliott will most likely know how to contain Dobbins, but vice-versa. The Chargers rusher should know where his former teammates struggle and how to attack those weaknesses.

Regardless, the Steelers' two-week sample size is an indicator of the challenge facing Dobbins and his run blockers when the Chargers march into Acrisure Stadium on Sunday.