The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading out west to take on the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night. A lot of people talk about the matchup between the Steelers’ defensive line and the decimated Chargers’ offensive line. And that’s for good reason.
But there’s the other side of the ball to keep an eye on, too. Chargers LB Odafe Oweh is expecting the Steelers’ offense to empty the playbook at his defense.
“We know they’re gonna come in, try to throw the kitchen sink at us, everything they got…” Oweh said Friday on the Jim Rome Show. “We’re very charged up to play our best game Sunday night, primetime.”
“We know they’re gonna come in, try to throw the kitchen sink at us.”@Chargers LB @DafeOweh previews LA’s Sunday night matchup with Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers. pic.twitter.com/K655Ugi4G2
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) November 7, 2025
We may not typically associate throwing the kitchen sink with the Steelers’ offense. It’s not like the Steelers have a group of explosive wide receivers like the Cincinnati Bengals. But offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is going to do some different things than other offenses.
The Steelers use 13 personnel at a higher rate than any other team in the league. Per SumerSports, the Steelers use 13 personnel (three tight ends) on 15.96 percent of their offensive plays. They’re the only team that does so over 15 percent of the time. The league average is 4.68 percent. So while nearly 16 percent may not seem like a ton, they’re using it over 11 percent more than the league average.
Part of that is the talent the Steelers have amassed at the tight end position. They already had Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington before this offseason. Then they added Jonnu Smith to the group. While none of the three are blowing up the statsheet, they’re all finding ways to make an impact. And Washington might just be the most important of the group. He’s the best blocker, but as former NFL DE Chris Long put it, Washington’s a “mismatch” as a receiver with his size.
But part of the 13-personnel package is the jumbo package, highlighted by the Steelers’ usage of a sixth offensive lineman. The Steelers have used Spencer Anderson in that package, but the team already ruled G Isaac Seumalo out for the Chargers’ game. Anderson will step in at left guard, but the Steelers won’t abandon the jumbo package entirely.
When Oweh talks about throwing the kitchen sink, the Steelers will throw a sink loaded with tight ends and a jumbo package at defenses. And that’s with WR DK Metcalf on the outside, who can either stretch the field or catch short passes and fly by defenders.
All of that is thanks to QB Aaron Rodgers.
“This is my second time playing Aaron Rodgers,” Oweh said. “Last time we played, he was on the Packers. I had a ton of respect for him back then. He’s a guy, the last few of the GOATs left.”
While Rodgers may not be throwing the ball around like he was during his MVP years, he’s been an incredibly good point guard for the Steelers’ offense this year. He’ll be the one directing the kitchen sink at Oweh and his Chargers teammates, and it should be a good matchup.
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