By Ray Porter Jr
PITTSBURGH–For the Pittsburgh Steelers, their gameplan against the LA Chargers was simple: Expect starting QB Justin Herbert to play and contain NFL Rushing leader JK Dobbins and that their own QB Justin Fields manages a good game without making any mistakes against the Chargers defense.
Mission Accomplished for the Steelers as they rose to the challenge and shut down the Chargers 20-10 in front of a home-opening crowd of 66,374 at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers are now 3-0 for the first time since 2020.
“You know, we talked about it all week. We knew we were in for a fight. Styles make fights. They’re assembled like we’re assembled, so we knew it was going to be a great game.” Said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “They’re playing great defense. We’re playing great defense. We had to challenge our defense to out-perform theirs. I thought they did. We had a commitment to the run game. Obviously, they came in with the league’s leading rusher and the No. 1 offense and our offense had to out-rush theirs, and we did, and that’s why the game unfolded the way it did.”
Fields had his most-effective game as he passed for 245 yards (25-32) a TD and a tipped-interception. He also ran for a TD. His TD pass was a 55-yarder to WR Calvin Austin III (4 Rec, 95 yards) As a team, the Steelers rushed for a game-high 114 yards with RB Najee Harris leading with 70. All-purpose back Cordarrelle Patterson added 33 yards as he filled in for fellow RB Jaylen Warren who didn’t play in the second half.
“He’s doing a good job doing what we’re asking him to do, playing and playing to win, and so that’s appreciated.”-Tomlin said of his Quarterback.
But it was also the defense who once again stood tall as they not only shut down Dobbins (44 yards), but they also held the Chargers rushing attack to 66 yards, their lowest thus far in the season. They also sacked Herbert and backup QB Taylor Heinike 5 times, with LB Nick Herbig leading with 2. LB TJ Watt, Elandon Roberts and DE Cam Heyward added one apiece. The lone mistake on defense was when Herbert was able to find WR Quentin Johnson for a 27-yard TD and an early 7-0 lead. Like previous Steelers defenses, this unit is slowly forming its own identity and imposing its will on teams.
When asked about how the Defense was able to respond and contain Dobbins, Tomlin replied “We’d better respond that way. There’s a nakedness in this business at this level. There’s nowhere to hide. When you’ve got a challenge like that walking in your venue, you’d better fight. They’re the No. 1 rusher and rushing team coming into our building, and so let’s be real clear; they’ve got to fight. They don’t have a choice.”
K Chris Boswell also added 2 Field Goals, and his second one gave the Steelers a lead that they would not relinquish.
With the win, the Steelers maintain their lead in the AFC North Division and will prepare to travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts (1-2) who wonder their first game of the season over the Chicago Bears (1-2).
“We got some other bumps and bruises associated with play. We’ll analyze that and I’ll give you a full report on Tuesday, but just as I sit here today, I’m thankful for the efforts of the men.” Said Tomlin. “I’m thankful to be 3-0. It’s good to be in a good contest like this, man, good-on-good five-star match-ups, if you will, and come out on the other side. There’s growth in it, and we’d better learn the lessons and keep stepping because we’ve got challenges that await us.”
Notes: Tomlin gave his injury report: “Sucks for Alex Highsmith, excited for [Nick] Herbig, for example. And none of us are surprised with the quality of work that he gave us and a lot of others.Cory Trice had a hamstring, Alex Highsmith had a groin, Jaylen Warren wasn’t able to finish there late in the second half. I pulled him from the game. It just didn’t look like he was running smoothly. We’ll evaluate him.”
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