Steelers 20-10 Chargers (September 22, 2024) Game Summary

PITTSBURGH – Justin Fields threw a touchdown and ran for another, and the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 20-10 on Sunday.

Pittsburgh improved its record to 3-0 for the first time since 2020 thanks to another efficient performance from Fields, who completed 25 of 32 passes for 245 yards, including a game-winning 55-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III midway through the fourth quarter.

Fields also had a 5-yard touchdown run, making a compelling case that he should be the starter even after Russell Wilson recovers from his calf injury. Fields played largely error-free through three games, but threw his first interception of the season on a deflected pass in the third quarter.

Najee Harris ran for 70 yards, Chris Boswell kicked two field goals and Pittsburgh's defense collected five sacks as they handed the Chargers (2-1) their first loss.

Justin Herbert started with right ankle soreness and completed 12 of 18 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown before the injury worsened midway through the third quarter. He was replaced by Taylor Heinicke, who could do little in the face of the relentless pass rush as Pittsburgh pulled away.

Two teams built on defense and running spent the better part of three quarters trading blows before the Steelers got some breathing room in the fourth quarter.

Boswell's second field goal — at the end of a drive that included three penalties on the Los Angeles defense — gave the Steelers a 13-10 lead. Heinicke got a first down on Los Angeles' next possession before punting.

Fields, looking to revive his career after three turbulent years in Chicago, found the 5-foot-9 Austin in the middle and the former Memphis walk-on did the rest. He ran into the end zone and gave Pittsburgh's defense some leeway it hardly needed.

The Steelers sacked Heinicke twice on Los Angeles' final possession and then ran the final 4:59 off the clock behind Harris. Pittsburgh opted to let the clock run down rather than score in the final seconds from the Los Angeles 1-yard line as Acrisure Stadium erupted after a victory that fit the plan for how longtime Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin plans to win games in 2024.

The Steelers beat Los Angeles 346-168, controlling the ball for more than 33 minutes, while the Chargers seemed to falter in the final minutes as their franchise quarterback watched from the bench.

Injuries

Chargers: Edge rusher Joey Bosa aggravated a hip issue that was bothering him on Pittsburgh's first drive and did not return.

Steelers: OLB Alex Highsmith left late in the first half with a groin injury. … CB Cory Trice left in the first quarter with a hamstring injury. … WR Van Jefferson suffered an eye injury in the second quarter.

Next

Chargers: Welcome Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the AFC West rival Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday to SoFi Stadium.

Steelers: Will travel to Indianapolis for the third time in as many years next Sunday when they visit the Colts.

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AP NFL: http://www.apnews.com/hub/NFL