The third quarter just wrapped up in Pittsburgh with the Steelers leading 21-10 and holding the ball on the one-foot line. The Chargers are lucky that there's still a chance for them to win this game. They took exactly one offensive snap in the quarter, an interception by Philip Rivers, while the Steelers ran 24 offensive plays.
The opening drive of the second half was a 13-play, 77-yard marathon that ended with a Heath Miller touchdown catch. On the ensuing kickoff, Darren Sproles nearly went the distance and was stopped at the Steeler 23. On the first play, Rivers had a pass tipped and picked by Larry Foote, though, and the Chargers lost a golden opportunity (and a timeout on an ill-advised challenge by Norv Turner).
The Chargers defense held for a punt, but Eric Weddle muffed the kick and William Gay recovered. The Steelers ran out the clock from there.
That defense came up big on the first play of the fourth quarter, stopping Carey Davis short of the end zone on fourth down and, somehow, the Chargers are still in it despite a lost third quarter.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
1-11-2009 @ 7:47PM
tom said...
Norv needs a dermatologist
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1-11-2009 @ 10:10PM
Charles Yount said...
you need your ass kicked for such a remark not pertaining to the subject being discussed,get a life,i bet you were the one always chosen last, if at all !
1-11-2009 @ 8:10PM
wynn said...
okay....the steeler's beat my charger's....kudo's to pittsburg. im a charger's fan yes....but here's the difference between us and you steelers fans...we come on after a loss and congratulate the winning team. i trash talk before the game like any fan...but i refuse to blame the loss by my team on some stupid call or unfair play by the other team....good luck to you pittsburg...see you next year.
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1-11-2009 @ 9:01PM
tom said...
hey dude, Thats not how you spell Pittsburgh. Did you get past 3rd grade?
1-11-2009 @ 8:16PM
Mike Freres said...
Wow Tom that is a insightful comment to make. One question I had was when the game was close and the Chargers scored to put the score at 28-16, why not go for 2? If you get it you are only down a TD and a FG. If you miss it you are still down 12 and you need 2 TD's to win the game. As it turns out this question is moot but at that point in the game I was scratching my head about this one. Anyone else confused also. Phily will smash Ariz. Balt will squeek by Pitts.
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1-11-2009 @ 8:17PM
becarefulangel said...
Meh... very disappointing. The Chargers started to rally by the end, though, which was good.
At least the Giants lost today, and that's something everybody can celebrate!
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1-11-2009 @ 8:54PM
me said...
wynn---- great game yes the steelers beat you, but if you look at the tape it would seem thaty you guys beat yourselves, rivers nis a good qb, and sprowles can run, but the number one defense IS number one for a reason
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1-11-2009 @ 9:16PM
roger chamberlain said...
did the chargers take off the 3rd quarter and fall asleep?
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1-11-2009 @ 9:33PM
dts said...
Bad pass interfer call on the chargers. Game was still close. That call was crap. Steelers were also holding all day long. Home cooking smells good. Next week the cook will be on vacation, Go Ravens!!!!! What bothers me the most is that these refs are 90 years old and cant follow the speed of the game. Oh well, goodluck Big ben because the ravens are gonna ring your bell
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1-12-2009 @ 2:26AM
Mike said...
It's amazing when an inferior team gets it's lunch handed to them by a superior team some idiot fans try to make excuses for why their team lost. I'm sure it was the refs' fault that Vincent Jackson dropped that long pass (it was a GREAT effort on his part). They must have been shining tiny laser pointers in his eyes. And everytime Willie Parker went around end they must have been shouting "hey you" or "look here" to distract the defense.
If you want to talk about "home cooking" those fish tacos the refs were serving up in overtime versus the Colts must have tasted real good. Your team should have never even made the playoffs. If Herman Edwards still knew how to coach you should have finished 7-9. A note to Herm - you play to WIN the game - not try not to lose it.
As for the Ravens go bring it on. The resurgence of FAST Willie Parker should give us just enough to make our seventh trip to the Super Bowl and our sixth win.
The only thing that will keep us from another ring is the play calling of Bruce Arians. Why in the world was he passing with the game in hand? Thank God the offensive line was getting away with all of that holding (according to dts). Ben had the most time he had all year to throw the ball. But please Bruce, mix in a few slant patterns and maybe a WR screen. And maybe a few series with the no huddle offense.
Hey I just noticed something - you can't spell IDIOTS without DTS! Coincidence? I think not!
1-12-2009 @ 12:13PM
DEF said...
For a good picture of the supposedly controversial end zone interference call, go to the USA Today Photo Gallery: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/gallery/football/2008/flash.htm?gid=691&aid=4015 and look at the 16th picture. It clearly shows Weddle's left arm holding down Washington's left arm. There is no question - the interference call was correct!
1-11-2009 @ 9:35PM
nochickenhawk said...
Rivers is the best quarterback in the NFL bar none. He is grossly underrated for some reason. The Charger management is a bunch of stupid asses and keep confirming this all the time. They give Rivers a 5'6" (160 pounds soak and wet) running back to work with and expect him to carry the Bolts to victory literally by himself. While I sympathize with LT and his injury, this is the second key playoff game where LT was MIA. You would think that the Charger management would have recognized that they had to shore up the running back position the first time LT was MIA last year. But, lest we forget this is the same bunch of idiots led by a guy named Smith who fired Marty Schottenheimer and hired apparently his buddy, the hapless Norv Turner. You can have Drew, Peyton, Eli, Matt, the guy from Denver, Big Ben, ..... I'll take Rivers over any of them and all of their MVPs. Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, etc. awards. Hang in there Rivers because you are the best.
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1-12-2009 @ 12:19AM
Sandra in Ohio said...
Hey there! I won't pick on you if you leave my spelling alone! Smooch!
1-11-2009 @ 9:46PM
Sandra said...
The Steelers looked like Super Bowl Champs today! I hope they go all the way!! As a Steelers fan, I have always been proud of my team..win or lose! Go Steelers! Best game Ben has had in a while! I see the Pa teams vying for the trophey!
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1-11-2009 @ 10:24PM
nochickenhawk said...
Both PA teams will be vying for the "trophey"? Or will they be vying for the phooyey? Or the osprey? Or the Oprah? Could it be the trophy?
1-11-2009 @ 10:38PM
hank said...
excellent game - hatsw off to the chargers for decent game despite soem starters missing - Rivers may be decent QB , but when he plays the Steelers that QB rating gets cut in half - but then again, your not playing chiefs or raiders - wasnice to see some offense - next week should be quite a game - will be interesting to see if we can beat Baltimore three times in season - Go Steelers!
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1-11-2009 @ 11:30PM
Sandra in Ohio said...
1-11-2009 @ 10:24PM
nochickenhawk said...
Both PA teams will be vying for the "trophey"? Or will they be vying for the phooyey? Or the osprey? Or the Oprah? Could it be the trophy?...................
nochickenhawk,screw you on your spelling check! It's so hard to be as perfect as you, but in reality, it could be the Pa. teams in the Superbowl! Ben out played your QB so get over it!
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1-11-2009 @ 11:32PM
Mike T. said...
Rivers is the best quaterback? Underrated?
Stillers win again..........so we beat The Chargers (weak team with 8-8 overall record)........today for the 2nd time this year.
(4) of Chargers wins were against Raiders and Chiefs (twice).......
You believe Rivers is better than (Drew, Peyton, Eli, Matt, the guy from Denver, Big Ben)?
What game did you watch today? He and the Chargers got beat again........no excuses.........Be prepared to play or go home.........
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1-12-2009 @ 9:16PM
Luis said...
Chargers are a 500 team. Be honset with yourselves about your team. 9-9 team really dosent deserve to go even this far.
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1-12-2009 @ 12:16AM
solange99 said...
I don't know where Wynn's eyes were but I saw a lot of the Steelers congratulating the Chargers and vice versa. The Chargers just didn't play much today and that's their own fault.
As for the Steelers, we're looking for the 6 Pack aka our 6th SuperBowl Ring so bring it on Baltimore. The raven said "No More"'
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