The Steelers are accustomed to playing against a 'Coach Harbaugh,' but this week, it's going to be a little different.
While Coach Mike Tomlin and company have gone against John Harbaugh and the Ravens for years, it's not the same with Chargers Coach Jim Harbaugh. The Steelers faced Jim Harbaugh only once, in 2011 when he was coaching the San Francisco 49ers.
But for Harbaugh, his experience against the Steelers goes beyond the coaching ranks, facing them during his playing tenure.
Harbaugh played in the NFL from 1987-2001, including four years with the Indianapolis Colts. Harbaugh was the starting quarterback when the Steelers defeated the Colts, 20-16, in the 1995 AFC Championship Game at Three Rivers Stadium, sending the Steelers to Super Bowl XXX.
Harbaugh completed 21 of 33 passes for 267 yards, but his last pass of the game was batted down in the end zone by Randy Fuller to secure the Steelers win.
While that game didn't come up in conversation this week with the Chargers, find out what was being said by them this week.
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Coach Jim Harbaugh on the Steelers defense:
"Outstanding. One of the best front sevens in football. And elite in the coverage area as well."
Harbaugh on what stands out about the Steelers front seven:
"Talent and depth. If you just look at their depth, it would be starting on a lot of teams."
Safety Darwin James on what he has seen from the Steelers:
"Physical team. Receivers do a good job blocking, getting open. No. 14 does a good job. Running backs run hard. We just have to come out and play our brand of football."
Harbaugh on what makes linebacker T.J. Watt difficult to deal with:
"He's a relentless player. That's the word that jumps out the most. Extremely talented. A scheme that the Steelers have been playing since 1982. They're real masters in the 3-4 defense. It's just been handed down from one generation to another. As an edge player, T.J. Watt's as good as they come."
Harbaugh on Minkah Fitzpatrick:
"Outstanding player. Across the board, the front seven is tremendous. The linebackers are outstanding. Just taking it one day at a time in terms of game-planning for the Steelers."
Harbaugh on quarterback Justin Fields and what challenges a defense with his play:
"He's an outstanding quarterback. He's good throwing the ball, good extending the pays. He's a top-flight quarterback."
James on the challenge Fields brings:
"Extending plays. He does a great job when you've got him covered up, extending those plays on third down. Being able to keep him in the pocket and make sure we plaster and cover them down the field."
Linebacker Khalil Mack on the challenge Fields presents:
"His mobility. Understanding he has a cannon of an arm. He can get a big play down the field at any moment. It's going to be up to us to get pressure on him and make sure he is contained in the pocket."
Harbaugh on what has surprised him so far about his team:
"You don't know until you go out and play the games. And we really don't know. We had an opener against the Raiders. We had the opener on the road against the Panthers. Our team was really good at openers. They look good. So maybe we start treating them all like openers.
"This week, going to Pittsburgh, the challenge that is going to be. This is an opener against a playoff team, against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"How cool. I can remember being a young kid and we were playing the team from Dexter that week, and they're the Pittsburgh Steelers of the Washtenaw County Youth Football League. And this kid…we're actually playing the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend.
"So, it's on to Pittsburgh. Let's find out what we're made of. Playoff team and an opener against playoff opponents this week."
Harbaugh on what he respects about Coach Mike Tomlin:
"The toughness, the grit. Competing against a Mike Tomlin team, it's pulls it out of you, the competition. Nothing but respect. Tremendous football coach."
James on the test of playing in Pittsburgh:
"It will be a great test for our team and organization. We know what type of team they have. They are undefeated, just like us. Only one team can leave that field undefeated. We'll see Sunday."
Harbaugh on playing the Steelers:
"Playing against them as a player, there's an aura there. That's just everybody I've ever met from Pittsburgh. I know the kind of football people that come out of the 'Burgh. It's real. It's genuine. It's unique. Nothing but respect for it."
James on if any of his Chargers teammates who played for the Ravens have talked about playing in Pittsburgh:
"Guys have spoken about their experience. But for the most part we know what type of team they have. You can see it on film. Just from playing them in the past. As long as we come out and be who we know we are, it will be a great game."
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman on playing the Steelers:
"They're really well coached. Tons of respect for Coach Tomlin and their organization. For us it's another stadium. It's the next one on the list. They have great fans. It's going to be loud. We have the crowd noise pumping. It will be an exciting atmosphere."
Harbaugh on how close the Chargers team is on both sides of the ball to what he envisioned when he took the job:
"You really find out more information as these games go. We all learn about our team as we go. So far, really great. I'm excited about so many different areas. How hard our team plays. The way they play, the effort they give, how important it is to them, the togetherness. It's really coming. You can see that. There are so many examples of it all the time.
"You realize this team is connected and get more connected and together with each passing day. So, a lot of things that both bode well for the squad."
