Steelers Now
Former NFL outside linebacker and USC product Clay Matthews likes the Pittsburgh Steelers over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night. He also expects a Steelers Nation takeover at SoFi Stadium.
“I played in The Colosseum when I was with the Rams, and SoFi is just an extension of that,” Matthews said Thursday on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast. “These Pittsburgh fans are gonna travel. It’s gonna be like a home game for them. Aaron Rodgers going back to California… I like the Steelers with this one.”
Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden also expects a Steelers Nation takeover. Historically, Steelers fans always have a strong showing in Southern California.
“There’s gonna be more Steeler fans than you’ve ever seen in California. It’ll be like a road game for Herbert and Harbaugh,” Gruden said. “I love Aaron Rodgers. He’s playing consistent and I think they got a huge win and some confidence last week pulverizing the Colts. I’m with the Steelers, man.”
The Steelers took over L.A. in 2019 and 2021 against the Chargers. Their game against the Rams at SoFi Stadium in 2023 was also a Steelers Nation takeover.
I’m in…Southern California pic.twitter.com/cdG6KXgjMO
— Dave Dameshek (@Dameshek) October 14, 2019
Though the Steelers under head coach Mike Tomlin have overall struggled out west, recent history has been more fortunate. Have they figured out their West Coast woes?
In games played in the Mountain or Pacific Time Zones, the Steelers are 10-11 under Tomlin. However, since 2019, they are 7-2 and a perfect 5-0 since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger.
From 2007-2018, the Steelers had many forgettable games with a 3-9 record. Tomlin’s first game in these time zones resulted in a 21-14 loss against the Arizona Cardinals. His first win came in 2009 against a hot Denver Broncos team on Monday Night Football.
In 2023, the Steelers played three West Coast games and captured three crucial victories. This included a 30-23 victory in Seattle under Mason Rudolph en route to a playoff-clinching run.
Jobe Morrison contributed reporting for this story.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Clay Matthews Expects Steelers Nation Takeover at SoFi Stadium: ‘It’s Gonna Be Like a Home Game’
