The Pittsburgh Steelers will kick off their home opener at 1:00 p.m. ET against the Los Angeles Chargers in a battle between two undefeated AFC teams. The Steelers have only advanced to 3-0 in three seasons over the last 25 years, so this would be a pretty significant win and one that could make the quarterback decision more difficult with Justin Fields leading the team while Russell Wilson is out injured.
The Steelers got some unfortunate news on Saturday with first-round OT Troy Fautanu suffering a significant injury that landed him on IR. This injury happened during Friday’s practice, so Broderick Jones will not only get the opportunity to bounce back but also be the right tackle for the foreseeable future. That could spell trouble in Week 3 against the excellent edge-rushing trio of Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, and Bud Dupree. He should see a little of all three, but Bosa has primarily been lining up as the left outside linebacker.
QB Justin Herbert’s status has been up in the air since last week’s ankle injury. He told the media it was a high-ankle issue, which usually means a player isn’t playing for a few weeks. He is reportedly going to play, but at way less than 100 percent health. That could be an issue against this very strong Steelers defensive front.
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Steelers’ Inactive Players
QB Russell Wilson (3rd QB)
G Isaac Seumalo
TE MyCole Pruitt
WR Roman Wilson
S Terrell Edmunds
CB Darius Rush
Chargers’ Inactive Players
WR Joshua Palmer
LB Junior Colson
CB Tarheeb Still
RB Kimani Vidal
OL Jordan McFadden
DL Justin Eboigbe
The Steelers won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. They will start on defense.
START OF GAME
The kickoff resulted in a touchback.
1st and 10, JK Dobbins rushed for 2 yards before taking a huge hit from ILB Patrick Queen. Queen was mouthing off to his former teammate a bit. 2nd and 8, Dobbins gained 2 yards again with Keeanu Benton making the tackle. 3rd and 7, Herbert complete to Dobbins for 3 yards with Minkah Fitzpatrick and Beanie Bishop Jr. rallying to the tackle. A quick three-and-out for the Chargers. The punt was downed at the 5-yard line, but illegal formation forces a do-over on the punt.
Calvin Austin III called for a fair catch at the 21-yard line.
1st and 10, Fields dropped back with some deep routes, but he scrambled for 4 yards. Joey Bosa was banged up on the play, but he looks to be mostly fine. 2nd and 6, Harris swallowed up at the line of scrimmage for just 1 yard. 3rd and 5, Fields lost two yards after tucking the ball to run. Broderick Jones didn’t go the right direction and blew the play. Corliss Waitman’s punt went 52 yards to the 24.
Cory Trice Jr. is also in the blue tent. Hopefully nothing serious, but I will pass along any further info as it comes in.
So far the Steelers-Chargers defensive battle seems to be playing out.
1st and 10, Herbert was under pressure and took a big hit, but he completed the pass to Will Dissly for 7 yards, brought down by Donte Jackson. 2nd and 3, it was an aborted snap and Herbert recovered. 3rd and 6, Herbert was hit and nearly sacked, but Joe Alt was called for a hold to bring back the 14-yard gain to Ladd McConkey. 3rd and 16, Beanie Bishop Jr. tackled the catch for a gain of just 8. Another three and out. The punt went 63 yards and Austin returned it 13 yards to the 24.
1st and 10, Justin Fields was sacked by Khalil Mack for a loss of 7. Dan Moore Jr. and Najee Harris both missed him. 2nd and 17, Fields to Warren in the flat for a loss of 4. Joey Bosa is back in the game. 3rd and 21, complete to George Pickens for just 3 yards. Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth both whiffed the block on Derwin James who darted through for the tackle. The punt went 48 yards and was returned 5 yards to the 41. This is the furthest either offense has been.
1st and 10, Ladd McConkey caught a pass for 13 yards.
1st and 10, Dobbins to the left sideline for 5 yards breaking some tackles along the way. 2nd and 5, Dobbins through the middle and bounced out to the left for 13 yards, tackled by Joey Porter Jr. They are now within field goal range, which is significant for this type of game.
1st and 10, Gud Edwards up the middle for 1 yard. 2nd and 9, a 27-yard touchdown to Quentin Johnston. Steelers blew the coverage. 7-0 Chargers.
The kickoff went through the back of the end zone.
1st and 10, Jaylen Warren toss and he cutback for a gain of 3 yards. 2nd and 7, complete to Connor Heyward for 2 yards. 3rd and 5, complete to George Pickens for 5 yards right at the sticks. Bosa is back out of the game.
1st and 10, Fields complete to Najee harris, who hit the spin move for a gain of 6. 2nd and 4, Fields complete to Cordarrelle Patterson for 6 yards.
END OF 1ST QUARTER: 7-0 CHARGERS
1st and 10, Fields designed QB run for just 1 yard. 2nd and 9, complete to Pat Freiermuth in the middle for 10 yards.
1st and 10, Harris off left tackle for a loss of 1. 2nd and 11, Fields complete to Harris for 7 yards. 3rd and 4, Fields complete to Scotty Miller, who broke the tackle for 20 yards.
1st and 10, Harris up the middle for 3 yards. 2nd and 7, complete to Patterson for 4 yards. 3rd and 3, Justin Fields rushed to the left end for a touchdown! The first touchdown scored against this Chargers defense. Who would have thought it would be this Steelers offense? 7-7 Even.
The kickoff went into the end zone for a touchback.
1st and 10, Dobbins was tackled for no gain with Cameron Heyward in the pile. 2nd and 10, complete to Hayden Hurst for 7 yards. 3rd and 3, Dobbins made an amazing cut to avoid what would have ended the drive. He gained 6 yards to convert.
1st and 10, Dobbins up the middle for 2 yards. 2nd and 8, complete to Johnston near the sideline for 17 yards.
1st and 10, complete to McConkey over the middle for 13 yards. Herbert is starting to dice them up in the passing game.
1st and 10, Herbert complete to Dissly for 5 yards. 2nd and 5, complete to Derius Davis for 8 yards.
1st and 10, Dobbins up the middle for 3 yards. 2nd and 7, toss to Dobbins tackled for a loss by Cameron Heyward. 3rd and 8 in scoring position, Herbert incomplete through the back of the end zone. Heyward disrupted the pass with his pressure. The 28-yard field goal is good. 10-7 Chargers.
The kickoff went through the back of the end zone.
1st and 10, Harris up the middle for 1 yard. 2nd and 9, complete to Freiermuth for 5 yards. Rookie OG Mason McCormick is in the game at left guard. Did Spencer Anderson get benched, or is he hurt? I will pass that info along soon.
TWO-MINUTE WARNING
This is shaping up to be one of the fastest halves of football I can ever remember watching. The first half nearly fit within one hour of real time.
3rd and 4, incomplete to Pickens, in and out of his hands. That ended Fields’ streak of no incompletions, but that one wasn’t his fault. Waitman’s punt went 55 yards to the 9-yard line.
Herbert complete to Simi Fehoko for 17 yards and Donte Jackson was injured on the play. It looks like a shoulder.
1st and 10, Dobbins up the middle for 3 yards. 2nd and 7, Herbert complete to Dobbins for 1 yard with DeShon Elliott making the tackle. Timeout called by the Steelers. 3rd and 6, complete to Dissly for 7 yards. Jackson is back in the game.
1st and 10, Highsmith missed the sack in the backfield, and Queen dropped the interception over the middle. Highsmith was injured on the play. 2nd and 10, incomplete pass to McConkey with Bishop in coverage. Chargers called a timeout before the delay of game. 3rd and 10, Dobbins off right tackle for 4 yards. Steelers called their final timeout with 52 seconds remaining.
They have scored a field goal with less time than this before the half. Can they do it again?
1st and 10, complete to Pickens for 9 yards in the middle of the field with the clock rolling. 2nd and 1, complete to Pickens for 27 yards and he got out of bounds. Great scramble and progression by Fields.
1st and 10, nearly complete to Pat Freiermuth, but he didn’t survive the ground. 2nd and 10, complete to Calvin Austin for 5 yards. 3rd and 5 with 11 seconds remaining, Fields threw the ball away. Chris Boswell is out to attempt a 62-yard field goal. They cheated him up a yard from the normal depth to help him out. Boswell was wide right on the attempt. The Chargers have one play to hail mary.
1st and 10, Herbert dialed one up to the end zone, but it fell incomplete . He really had a chance to score there, which would have been back breaking for the Steelers.
END OF FIRST HALF: 10-7 CHARGERS
Join us for the second half here.
