NFL Week 3 live updates: Inactives, schedule, kickoff times, matchups, odds and predictions
By Mike DeFabo, Daniel Popper and Alex Andrejev
The Pittsburgh Steelers capitalized on the slew of injuries affecting the Los Angeles Chargers — including that of star quarterback Justin Herbert — to seal a 20-10 win Sunday and improve to 3-0 on the season.
Pittsburgh quarterback Justin Fields’ performance was the exclamation point in a dominant second half by the Steelers, which finished with 346 total yards to the Chargers’ 168.
Meanwhile, the Chargers (2-1), who were handed their first loss of the season, will be looking to recover next week while dealing with injuries to Herbert as well as key players Joey Bosa, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt.
Fields continues to make his case
Russell Wilson’s ongoing ankle injury has provided Fields with the chance to prove he should be the starter long-term. Sunday, Fields took another step in that direction.
The Steelers relied on a run-heavy attack full of short, sideline passes through the first two weeks. But in part, because the Steelers struggled to run the ball early, they put the ball in Fields’ hands more than any previous game. After completing 30 passes for 273 yards in the first two weeks, Fields completed 25 of 32 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown. He added a rushing touchdown and threw one interception.
The Steelers’ offense added an explosive element the first two weeks with well-timed deep shots. However, the Chargers’ two-high shell didn’t present many opportunities to go long and the Steelers didn’t run the ball effectively enough to force L.A. out of this defense until their final drive.
However, on a couple of instances, Fields did a nice job of threading the needle to split the two safeties. That was especially true on a potentially game-clinching touchdown, when Fields found Calvin Austin III over the middle for a 55-yard catch and run. — Mike DeFabo, Steelers beat writer
Steelers win a battle of two dominant defenses
The Chargers and Steelers entered Sunday with the NFL’s first and second-best scoring defense, respectively, with L.A. holding opponents to 6.5 points per game the Pittsburgh limiting offenses to just eight points per game.
True to form, the game became a defensive-struggle full of three-and-outs early on.
The Chargers’ lone touchdown came on a coverage bust of some sort that left Quentin Johnston wide open for a 27-yard touchdown from Herbert. The Steelers’ defense settled in from there, especially after Taylor Heinicke entered the game late in the third quarter to replace the injured Herbert. Pittsburgh repeatedly hit and harassed Heinicke to seal the game. The Steelers finished with five sacks on the game. — DeFabo
Injuries hinder Chargers
Why did Herbert start this game? That will be the question to answer after the Chargers’ loss in Pittsburgh. Herbert looked unstable in warmups and was not moving particularly well early in the game, though he did complete 12 of 16 passes for 125 yards and touchdown in the first half.
His health became an issue in the second half. He took a couple big hits in the third quarter. On the first, Slater was beat for a strip sack. Slater had missed plays late in the first half but returned for the second half. He was pulled for the series after he gave up the sack with what the team said was a pectoral injury. The Chargers’ protection unraveled further without Slater in.
Right guard Trey Pipkins moved to left tackle. Jamaree Salyer came in at right guard. The Steelers tested the Chargers front on the first play of the next drive. Herbert dropped back off play action. He was sacked and hit hard by linebacker Elandon Roberts. Herbert came up limping and was replaced by Heinicke. Herbert did not return. He apparently aggravated his right high ankle sprain. And now the Kansas City Chiefs await next week. — Daniel Popper, Chargers beat writer
Los Angeles loses steam in second half
The defense tried to keep to the Chargers in the game. After Slater allowed the strip sack, they got the ball back by picking off Fields. But they lost steam after the early three-and-outs. The back-breaker was a 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown from Calvin Austin. Safety Elijah Molden took a bad angle on the play. That put the Steelers up 20-10.
The Chargers’ offense gave up three more sacks on their final two possessions. They had no shot without Herbert and Slater. — Popper
(Photo: Justin K. Aller / Getty Images)
