The Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to Los Angeles to play what seemed like a home game against the Chargers. The black and yellow swarmed the crowd with terrible towels waving in all directions. The game was set for a close matchup as both teams were looking to dig themselves out of an early and big hole.
The Steelers survived the late blows from the Chargers, winning 24-17. Despite throwing one interception, third-string quarterback Devlin Hodges completed the job and secured his first win. He finished with an 87.9 QBR, but the unit that won this game was the Steelers’ defense.
First Half
About four minutes into the game, the Steel Curtain arrived. Defensive rookie of the year candidate Devin Bush started his career night with a bang. After quarterback Philip Rivers threw a backward pass and Bush picked up the football, ran, and leaped into the end zone for the defensive touchdown.
Next possession, the Chargers marched to midfield. After throwing a short pass to tight end Hunter Henry, Rivers rifled a pass across the middle intended for Keenan Allen. However, Bush stepped in and intercepted the pass.
The Steelers began at the Chargers’ 40-yard line. Running back James Conner took part in all seven touches that ended in a 12-yard rushing touchdown.
Already up 14-0 in the first quarter, the Chargers gave up the ball by punting.
With Jaylen Samuels injured, Benny Snell, Jr. jumped in for the second quarter. Conner and Snell shared the playing time on a drive that lasted about nine minutes.
Conner finished the drive with a receiving touchdown from Devlin Hodges.
Nearing the end of the half, the Chargers began on their own 14-yard line. They marched down to the Steelers’ 26-yard line until an intentional grounding call placed the Chargers on the 38-yard line. The Chargers tried to head into the locker room with three, but the 43-yard field goal hit the left upright and did not go through.
Second Half
Hodges began to take shots deep, but it did not work. Despite the deep attempts, Snell and Conner continued to dominate on the ground and in the air. The Steelers traveled down to the Chargers’ two-yard line.
Center Maurkice Pouncey’s bad snap led to a loose ball. Hodges recovered at the eight-yard line and threw the ball to JuJu Smith-Schuster. The incomplete pass led to a chip shot field goal and 24-0 lead.
Once the Chargers received the ball, they began their comeback journey. A few passes to Henry forced the Chargers to the Steelers’ 20-yard line in the fourth quarter. A field goal ended the drive.
Hodges began to utilize his weapons to move the ball to midfield. The youngster took a shot down the field (again) and was intercepted (again).
Four passes over 10 yards allowed the Chargers to quickly drive down to the Steelers’ five-yard line. Rivers went to the big Henry for the five-yard touchdown and slimmed the lead to 24-10. With 1:29 left, Henry picked up his second touchdown.
One final drive for the Chargers, down seven with 41 seconds left, Rivers fired to Mike Williams. Out of nowhere, Courtland Sutton intercepted the pass and sealed the second win for the Steelers.
Conclusion
The Chargers’ home game turned into a road loss. With an early dip to “Renegade” by Styx playing in the second half, nothing went the Chargers way until it was too late. Hodges and offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner did not limit the playbook and it helped move the ball around a bit more than expected.
