The Pittsburgh Steelers once again dominated a team, this time the San Diego Chargers, then let them back into the game on some weird plays but luckily Rashard Mendenhall showed up for the Steelers because he was able to lead them to a 38-28 victory.
The domination started from the opening drive for the Steelers when they drove 79 yards down the field on only 6 plays and the drive was capped off by a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Mendenhall. The defense forced the Chargers to a three and out and the offense took over once again and had their way with the San Diego defense. Ben Roethlisberger capped off the drive finding his safety valve Mewelde Moore open in the flats on third and four for a 19 yard touchdown to put the Steelers up 14-0.
After the quick start the Steelers and Chargers traded empty drives until the middle of the second quarter when the Steelers chewed up 6 minutes and 21 seconds off the clock to go increase their lead. Mendenhall had six carries for 20 yards including a 2-yard touchdown run to put the Steelers ahead 21-0.
After the half the Steelers continued having their way with the Chargers driving 81 yards down the field on 8 plays and Big Ben picked up his second touchdown throw of the game when he found the always reliable Heath Miller open in the end zone for a 28-0 lead.
But momentum started to swing in favor of San Diego on their next possession. Philip Rivers methodically drove the Chargers offense down the field and they finally found pay dirt when Rivers connected with Antonio Gates for a 3- yard touchdown making the score 28-7.
The Steelers would force another three and out but on the ensuing punt return Stefan Logan was stripped of the ball by Jacob Hester who returned it 40 yards for a touchdown and just like that the Chargers were down only 28-14.
The Steelers were able to seize some of the momentum again with an 8 play 70 yard drive that spanned just over five minutes. Pittsburgh used some trickeration on their final touchdown of the game with Mewelde taking a sweep toss right at the six yard line and then pulling up and firing the ball into the end zone to an open Miller for a 35-14 lead.
The Chargers quickly went to work and needing only 4 plays to drive 67 yards and the drive ended when Rivers hit an open Gates who broke tackles on his way to a 30 yards touchdown. San Diego onside kicked the ensuing kickoff and recovered the ball because the Steelers were unprepared for the kick. With the short field the Chargers would pull within a touchdown of Pittsburgh after Rivers hooked up with Chris Chambers for 13 yard touchdown pass making the score 35-28.
Pittsburgh would get the ball back and respond like the Champions that they are by using up almost all of the remaining 4 minutes and 25 seconds. The offense drove down the field and kicked a 46 yard field goal to stretch the lead and prevent the Chargers from making a come back, Steelers win 38-28.
The offense looked awesome and the defense looked like the '08 version until about the end of the third which seems to be their trouble spot this year. I'm not sure what it is but this year the defense looks tired in the late stages of the game and they have been getting burned, it may be conditioning but whatever it is they need to get it fixed if they want to catch Cincinnati or Baltimore.
GO STEELERS!
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