Willie Parker
Willie Parker Sunday the Pittsburgh Steelers host the San Diego Chargers in Heinz Field. The Steelers sit atop the AFC North division while the Chargers are one game behind the Denver Broncos in the West.

Odds makers are calling the Steelers a home favorite as both teams look to win a big conference game. NFL betting lines have Pittsburgh at -5 with the total sitting at 42.

The Steelers look to bounce back after last week's tough loss to Indianapolis. Peyton Manning was able to take advantage of a Ben Roethlisberger interception late in the fourth quarter and lead the Colts to a 24-20 win.

The Steelers expect to have starting running back Willie Parker back from injury against the Chargers. Parker has been in and out of the line-up this season with knee and shoulder problems. The Pro Bowl runner has only
played once since September 21.

The Chargers are looking to rebound in the second half of the season after starting the year with so much inconsistency.

"We've been so up and down this season, obviously that can drain you mentally," said running back LaDainian Tomlinson. "We're just trying to find ways to continue to get better at this time of the year with this now starting to come down to the wire. We need wins."

This week Tomlinson faces a big challenge against a tough Steelers run defense that ranks second in the league only allowing 69.2 yards per game on the ground. The Chargers need a big second half or the season out of Tomlinson to salvage this year.

That probably won't happen against the Steelers defense and with Parker back for Pittsburgh it should take some pressure off of Roethlisberger. Take the Steelers and give the 5 points.