Like a python slowly tightening its grip on its prey, the Steelers defense choked the life out of the offensive attack of the Los Angeles Chargers here Sunday at Acrisure Stadium.
The Steelers turned a 10-7 halftime deficit into a 20-10 victory by not just shutting down Los Angeles' offense, but by turning it into an afterthought.
The Chargers had 173 yards of offense in the first half. They finished with 168, as the Steelers recorded five second-half sacks and allowed just one first down over the final two quarters to become the eighth team since 1970 and first in 20 seasons to limit its opponents to less than 10 points and 300 yards in each of its first three games.
Yes, this was an old-school kind of beat down.
"Those are the old Bill Cowher days, three yards and a cloud of dust," said Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward, who had one of the team's five second-half sacks. "When you look at this game, you try to wage a war on the front, offense and defensive line. If you can do that over the course of a game, it allows you to control the line of scrimmage."
To Heyward's point, this wasn't just about the defense just putting the clamps down on the Chargers. The offense did its part, as well, as the Steelers held the ball for more than 20 of the final 30 minutes of this game, winning the overall time of possession battle, 33:51-26:09.
The change began at the half. Though the Steelers only converted the opening possession of the second half into a field goal, they drove 50 methodical yards on 10 plays to do so.
"That first drive coming out of the half, we didn't finish with a touchdown, but we put three points on the board," said Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore. "I think at that moment, we felt the energy shifting. The defense was feeding off of that. It just felt like it was going our way."
The defense was getting off the field quickly. And the offense was holding the ball for long periods of time, posting 14 first downs in the second half.
The Steelers didn't have a big yardage day running the ball gaining 114 yards on 31 attempts. But 65 of that came on the final possession when the Steelers were milking a 10-point lead when they got the ball back with just under five minutes to play.
Like the defense, the offense slowly tightened its grip on this game.
"Definitely. I think so. It was clear to the offensive line they were done," Moore said of the Chargers defense.
The result was only 20 points, but realize that the Steelers closed this game out with a 10-play drive that went to the Los Angeles 1-yard line on a Najee Harris 21-yard run coming out of the two-minute warning. The Steelers took two knees from there to run out the clock. They could have scored again had they chosen to do so.
"How we emphasize our defense, we want to stop the run. If you can't stop the run in this league, you won't win games," said Moore. "I think now that we've established ourselves as a run-first offense, we've put that on film, defenses are going to be coming after us in the run game. We know that. It's just obviously self-scouting, dressing things up. Make them look the same and run different schemes out of it. It's a constant battle, us versus us. If we do what we're supposed to, nothing can stop us."
It's a mindset that the tougher, more physical team is going to win. That still plays, even in today's NFL.
It's early, but this has been the NFL's most impressive defense to this point.
• The Chargers came into this game averaging 197.5 yards rushing per game.
They clearly wanted to run the ball. But the Steelers limited them to 61 yards on 20 carries, an average of 3.1 yards per attempt.
Former Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins entered this game leading the NFL in rushing with 266 yards on just 27 carries.
He finished with 44 yards on 15 attempts against the Steelers. Take away his long gain of 13 yards, and he had 31 yards on his other 14 attempts. Either way, he averaged a full seven yards less than the 9.9 yards per carry he entered this game at.
Dobbins had some big games against the Steelers in the past while in Baltimore. The Steelers were determined not to allow that to happen in this game.
Don't think Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin didn't push that button all week.
"Yeah. We heard all week about it," Heyward admitted.
Former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen, signed by the Steelers this offseason, was a big part of that run-stopping effort.
And he announced early in this game that Dobbins wasn't going to have that kind of game.
On Dobbins' first carry, cornerback Donte Jackson came in and hit Dobbins low. Queen flew in and smashed the running back high, limiting him to a 2-yard gain.
Queen was announcing his presence with authority.
"I just knew that in the first home game in a Pittsburgh uniform, I had to set the tone," said Queen, who nearly had a pick of Justin Herbert later in the half. "I knew I was going to get the chance. I like to have the pick to top off the game, but we're going to work on that."
• The Steelers battered Herbert to the point that Los Angeles head coach Jim Harbaugh had to pull him from the game.
Elandon Roberts came free on a blitz up the middle and hammered the Los Angeles quarterback for a sack midway through the third quarter with the game tied at 10-10.
Left tackle Rashawn Slater also suffered a pectoral muscle injury in that series.
Herbert, who had been limited in practice all last week with a high ankle sprain that had left him a true game-time decision, didn't return to the field following that series, despite the closeness of the game.
"My plan was the first sign of any kind of, any limp he was coming out of the game," said Harbaugh of his quarterback. "So I took him out."
Herbert had been game to that point, keeping the Chargers in it while completing 12 of 18 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown. But it was clear that he was finished after the Roberts sack, the second of the game the Steelers recorded against him.
"It had been getting sore up until that point," Herbert said. "And I think that play, I can't really remember what exactly happened to it but it must have got twisted up again. Kind of stood back up, realized I couldn't move too great off of it. "
• This Steelers defense is just plain nasty.
The Chargers entered this game as the only team that had allowed fewer points in the first two weeks with 13. But the Steelers now have given up just 26 points through three games.
They have yet to allow a touchdown in the second half of a game, limiting their three opponents to two second-half field goals in three weeks.
"It's a competitive league," said Heyward. "Week-in and week-out, you're going to have different challenges. This was against another great defense. To start the game, it was who is going to blink first? We just kept punching and kept fighting. Early on, they had a lot of success. But I thought we settled in, especially in the second half. Then, there was blood in the water at the end, where we got a two-score lead, we can really pin our ears."
What has been the difference in those second halves?
"I think we adjust well," Heyward said. "We understand what our mistakes are and we try not to repeat them. You can say sometimes, 'Ah shoot, they beat us.' But we're keen on if we have a problem, we make it go away pretty fast."
• So much for the Steelers' receivers not named George Pickens being unable to stress a defense.
Calvin Austin III had four receptions for 95 yards, including a 55-yard catch-and-run over the middle of the field in the fourth quarter that put this game away.
Game action photos from the Steelers' Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Acrisure Stadium
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller (13) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end DeMarvin Leal (98) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller (13) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman James Daniels (78) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller (13) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) and \psduring a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) and Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
![Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) ]during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/steelers/spaulzsggmqykfhr0mta.jpg)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) ]during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) and Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller (13) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The offense huddles during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Rodney Williams (87) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones (77), Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman James Daniels (78), Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54), Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) and Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) and Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31), Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Scotty Miller had just two receptions, but they went for 31 yards and both resulted in big first downs on scoring drives. In fact, Miller's first catch, a 20-yard catch-and-run, came on the Steelers' first touchdown drive in the first half.
Miller caught the ball short of the line to gain, shook off a tackle attempt by cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., and scooted up the sideline to set up a touchdown run by Justin Fields.
"I think you understand that as a receiver, you understand down and distance and understand that my route is probably going to be short of the sticks and you have to make somebody miss and make a play," said Miller. "That was my mindset. Justin put a good ball on me and I was able to move the chains."
Those kind of plays from Austin and Miller will make future opponents take notice.
Double or triple Pickens at your own risk.
The Chargers found that out the hard way when the entire middle of their defense collapsed on Pickens on Austin's touchdown catch, leaving Austin by himself in the middle of the field.
Austin caught the ball, turned and outraced safety Elijah Molden to the end zone.
"They're going to start noticing," said Miller of people who doubted the Steelers receivers not named Pickens. "Just seeing (Austin) take an in-cut for 50 yards, showing off his speed. There's not a lot of guys in the league that can do that. People are going to start noticing what we can do."
• Fields played his best overall game as a member of the Steelers, completing an efficient 25 of 32 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown with one interception. He only ran the ball six times for six yards, as the Chargers were intent on keeping him hemmed in the pocket.
Fields showed he can do more than just beat a defense with his legs.
"I'm not really worried about that," Fields said of his detractors. "I'm more into proving myself right. I know what kind of player I am. I haven't changed my whole life. At the end of the day, my teammates help me be great. Shout-out to them, shout-out to our defense, shout-out to everybody else on the offense for pushing me each and every day at practice, and it's just a credit to them. Definitely glad and just feeling good to be in this position, to be honest with you."
The Steelers are 3-0, and Fields has the first three-game winning streak of his career.
Fields had won two games in a row three separate times in his days with the Bears. But winning three in a row had eluded him until Sunday.
We'll see if he gets a shot at going 4-0 or if Russell Wilson is ready to go next week against Indianapolis.
"It means a lot, but at the end of the day, it's not just me winning games. It's the whole team," Fields said. "I'm just happy to be a part of this team, happy to be a part of this organization, and we definitely look forward to keeping it going next week versus Indy."
• Sunday's win, coupled with Cleveland's inexplicable loss at home to the Giants, leaves the Steelers with a two-game lead in the AFC North.
More importantly, getting to 3-0 has some significance.
Since 2000, teams that have opened the season 3-0 have made the playoffs 75.2 percent of the time, winning their division 51.5 percent of the time.
It's a big difference over starting 2-1. Those teams have made the postseason 54.8 percent of the time and won the division 32.1 percent of the time.
The Steelers are playing well in many phases, but they're still not where they want to be just yet.
"That's just any team in general," said Queen, one of many new faces in this lineup. "The longer the season, the more you mesh with each other. The chemistry gets better. The more the coaching staff learns what you like. For us, it's still getting a feel, learning how we like plays."
Injuries, particularly on the offensive line, have hit the Steelers hard early. But they could get left guard Isaac Seumalo, who has missed the first three games with a pectoral muscle injury, back next week against the Colts.
And after the Indianapolis game, reserve offensive tackle Dylan Cook will be eligible to return from injured reserve. That might not seem like a big deal, but with rookie offensive tackle Troy Fautanu placed on injured reserve Saturday, the Steelers' offensive line depth has been tested early.
Getting those two players back will go a long way towards replenishing some of that.
For a team that wants to run the ball as much as the Steelers, that's huge.
The Steelers planned on utilizing some six-offensive linemen looks in this game with Fautanu healthy, utilizing Broderick Jones in those instances. But with Fautanu injured, rookie guard Mason McCormick was forced into action as the additional lineman.
This team doesn't care if the opponent knows it's running the ball. The Steelers are going to line up and do it no matter what.
"For sure," said Moore. "We've got a deep offensive line, a talented offensive line. We're young, but we've got a really talented group. We want to impose our will on guys. We get a sixth guy out there, we have the ability to play-action pass. We have the ability to run the ball. You saw that late in the game."
That's only going to get better as the line gets more healthy and continues to gain confidence.
• Heyward recorded a sack in this game to give him 81.5 in his storied career.
That moved him past James Harrison into second place on the team's all-time list.
If not for what T.J. Watt does on a week-in, week-out basis, it would be easier to notice things like that. In fact, Heyward barely beat Watt to quarterback Taylor Heinicke to record his sack.
Had Watt gotten to the quarterback in that situation, it would have pushed him over 100 for his career. As it is, Watt had one sack in this game to give him 99.5 in his career.
"We have so many guys on this defense that are capable of making plays, taking games over, and I'm just trying to be a small part of it," Watt said.
• Add Nick Herbig to that group.
With Alex Highsmith having suffered a groin injury late in the first half, Herbig was pressed into full-time duty.
Herbig had three tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.
"I know we have the best edge rusher in the world in T.J. Watt. He's the best in the business," Herbig said. "At the end of the day, he's going to do what he does. We feed off of that energy."
There's a lot of players feeding off the energy of others on this team.
That's not a knock. These guys really do seem to feed off of what the others around them do.
"I think just way we bond," Herbig said of this team and defense. "We have a tight-knit group. We have guys that bring energy. I think having (Queen) is big. He brings a lot of energy to the group. We just love playing football together."
It shows.
• There was no more important stop that the defense made Sunday than after Fields' first turnover of the season.
The Steelers had just forced a punt from the Chargers deep in their own end with the game tied at 10-10.
Taking over at the Los Angeles 41, Fields attempted a pass to Cordarrelle Patterson that was tipped into the air and intercepted by former Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree at the 34.
Instead of allowing the Chargers to use that as a momentum swing, Roberts recorded his sack of Herbert on first down. On second down, Herbig stuffed Dobbins for a 1-yard gain and the Chargers, one third-and-18, raised the white flag and ran a draw to Dobbins that gained four yards before Watt slammed him to the ground.
"They've got no control over when or how they take the field. They've got all the control on how they get off the field. That's the life we live," Tomlin said. "I think it was reflected when we turned that ball over, right, when that ball got tipped up in the air and intercepted. You saw the spirit in which our defense took the field, so we're not looking for comfort. We're not looking to hide on the sideline. We'll get ourselves off the field."
The Steelers are 22-3 in their past 25 games in which they don't turn the ball over at all.
In fact, the Steelers lost the turnover battle in this game 1-0 and still won. That in itself is quite significant.
The Steelers had not won a game in which they lost the turnover battle since Oct. 25, 2020 against the Titans, a game they won 27-24, despite having three turnovers to none for Tennessee.
In that span, the Steelers had gone 0-18-1 when losing the turnover battle.
That streak is now over.
