In a matchup of quarterbacks drafted in the first round in 2004, Ben Roethlisberger and the AFC-North leading Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3-1) host Philip Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers (8-3) in a pivotal conference showdown on NBC's "Sunday Night Football." Coverage begins with "Football Night in America" at 7 p.m. ET, followed by "SNF" at 8:20 p.m. from Heinz Field.
As December games begin, both teams aim to improve their positioning in the AFC playoff race. Despite a narrow loss to the Denver Broncos last week, the Steelers remain in first-place atop the AFC North, while the Chargers sit one game behind the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West.
This week's matchup is the first of two heavy-hitting "SNF" games to open December, featuring teams with a combined .761 winning percentage (Rams at Bears on Dec. 9).
Calling Chargers-Steelers is Al Michaels (play-by-play), in his record 33rd season as the voice of the NFL's premier primetime package; 16-time Emmy Award-winner Cris Collinsworth; and two-time Emmy Award-winning sideline reporter Michele Tafoya. This marks the 10th season Michaels and Collinsworth serve as the announce team in the NBC broadcast booth. In addition, three-time Super Bowl referee and "SNF's" rules analyst Terry McAulay join Michaels and Collinsworth in the booth.
Rivers enters his fifth career regular-season matchup with Roethlisberger (each has won twice) after making NFL history in last week's win over the Arizona Cardinals. He set single-game NFL records with a completion percentage of 96.8 (28 of 29), including 25 consecutive completions to start the game.
Roethlisberger passed 462 yards in last week's loss against Denver and leads the AFC with 3,664 passing yards this season. Juju Smith-Schuster ranks second in receiving yards in the AFC with 1,055 yards.
Mike Tirico will host "Football Night in America" at 7 p.m., alongside Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy, two-time Super Bowl winner Rodney Harrison, NFL insider Mike Florio and "PFT Live" co-host Chris Simms. Liam McHugh will co-host "Football Night in America" on-site from Heinz Field.
