STEELERS vs CHARGERS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008 KICKOFF -- 4:15 P.M. POST-GAME NOTES
Team Notes:
• Pittsburgh improved to 13-0 all-time at home in the regular season against San Diego and improved to 20-6 all-time against the Chargers in the regular season. The 13-0 regular-season record for the Steelers against San Diego in Pittsburgh is the best home record against any single opponent in the NFL.
• Pittsburgh is 2-0 at Heinz Field in the series history against the Chargers.
• The Steelers improved to 6-1 against AFC opponents this year.
• Pittsburgh is 3-2 at home this season and snapped a two-game losing streak at Heinz Field. The Steelers are 213-83-1 at home since 1970, the best record in the NFL.
• The 11-10 victory was the first 11-10 final in the history of the NFL.
• The win marked the Steelers' fifth win in their last six games against AFC foes.
• Pittsburgh is 49-24-1 in the final two months of the regular season over the past eight years, which is the third-best record in the NFL.
• San Diego jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter as RB LaDainian Tomlinson ran in from three yards out with 6:46 left in the first quarter.
• The Steelers trimmed the lead to 7-2 as LB James Harrisonposted a sack on QB Philip Rivers, forcing a fumble that was recovered by the Chargers in the end zone. It was Harrison's 12th sack of the year and his fourth forced fumble of the season.
• Harrison picked off a Rivers' pass late in the first half that led to a K Jeff Reed21-yard field goal as time expired. It was Harrison's first interception of the season and the third of his career (2nd against San Diego).
• On the opening drive of the second half, Pittsburgh marched on a 14-play drive that resulted in a 41-yard field goal by Reed to make it 8-7 midway through the third quarter.
• San Diego regained the lead with 6:41 left in the game as K Nate Kaeding capped off a 17-play drive with a 22-yard field goal, making it 10-8.
• Pittsburgh used a 13-play, 73-yard drive that last six minutes and 30 seconds that culminated with a game-winning 32-yard field goal by Reed with 11 seconds remaining. It marked Reed's second game-winning field goal of the season and the seventh of his career in the regular season. On the final drive, QB Ben Roethlisbergerwas 6-for-6 for 62 yards, marking his 15th career fourth-quarter (and overtime) come-from-behind victory in the regular season.
• Pittsburgh had a 100-yard rusher (RB Willie Parker), a 100-yard receiver (WR Hines Ward) and a 300-yard passer (Roethlisberger) for the first time in the same game since it accomplished the feat on Dec. 18, 2004 at the New York Giants. Against the Giants, Roethlisberger finished with 316 yards passing, RB Jerome Bettis had 140 yards rushing, WR Antwaan Randle El had 149 yards receiving and Ward added 134 yards receiving.
• Pittsburgh nearly doubled the Chargers in total offense as it finished with 410 yards (124 rushing, 286 passing) while San Diego finished with just 213 yards (66 rushing, 147 passing).
• The Steelers had 24 first downs to the Chargers' 16.
• Pittsburgh was penalized 13 times for 115 yards while San Diego was flagged just twice for five yards.
• The Steelers held the ball for 36:31 and San Diego had the ball for 23:29.
• The Steelers posted two sacks in the game, giving them 36 on the season. The 36 sacks already ties Pittsburgh's total from all of last season.
• QB Dennis Dixon (3rd QB), CB Bryant McFadden, CB Deshea Townsend, LB Bruce Davis, OL Tony Hills, OT Marvel Smith, TE Heath Millerand DE Orpheus Royewere inactive for Pittsburgh.
Individual Notes:
QB Ben Roethlisberger
• Finished 31-for-41 for 308 yards passing with no touchdowns and no interceptions (96.4 passer rating).
• It marked his sixth career 300-yard passing game, which is tied for first on the team's all-time list with Tommy Maddox. It was his second 300-yard passing game of the season (Week 5 at Jacksonville).
• Engineered his 15th career fourth-quarter (and overtime) come-from-behind victory in the regular season and his third this season (Week 4 vs. Baltimore, Week 5 at Jacksonville).
• On the game-winning drive, Roethlisberger was 6-for-6 for 62 yards.
• Improved to 46-19 as a starter in his career, including a 25-8 mark at Heinz Field.
RB Willie Parker
• Made his fifth start of the season and returned to action after missing Week 10 with a shoulder injury.
• Finished with 115 yards rushing on 25 carries (4.6 avg.), including a long of 13 yards.
• It marked his 24th career 100-yard rushing game and his third this season.
• Caught one pass for four yards.
RB Mewelde Moore
• Caught five passes for 33 yards (6.6 avg.), including a long of 13 yards.
• Returned one kickoff for seven yards.
RB Gary Russell
• Finished with two carries for 10 yards (5.0 avg.), both resulting in first downs on third-down attempts.
• Returned three kickoffs for 61 yards (20.3 avg.), including a 26-yarder.
WR Hines Ward
• Established season highs with 11 catches for 124 yards (11.3 avg.), marking his 18th career 100-yard game and the second consecutive game he has posted over 100 yards receiving.
• In the past two games, has 240 yards receiving on 20 receptions (12.0 avg.).
• Has now caught a pass in a team-record 156 consecutive games.
WR Santonio Holmes
• Caught five passes for 63 yards (12.6 avg.), including a long of 19 yards.
TE Matt Spaeth
• Made his seventh start of the season and his second as the Steelers' first tight end in place of the injured TE Heath Miller.
• Caught six passes for 55 yards (9.2 avg.).
• In two games starting in place of Miller, has 12 catches for 108 yards (9.0 avg.).
OT Max Starks
• Made his fifth consecutive start in place of the injured OT Marvel Smith.
DE Brett Keisel
• Posted a nine-yard sack in the second quarter, his first sack of the year.
• Finished with a team-high seven tackles (six solo).
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*LB James Harrison
• Posted a sack in the end zone on QB Philip Rivers and forced a fumble which resulted in a safety. It was his team-leading 12th sack of the year and it was his fourth forced fumble this season.
• Had his first interception of the season (third of his career) and returned it 33 yards late in the first half, which led to a field goal.
• Finished with four tackles (two solo).
LB Larry Foote
• Had five tackles (three solo), including one tackle for a loss.
CB William Gay
• Made his first career start in place of the injured CB Deshea Townsend.
• Finished with three solo tackles.
S Troy Polamalu
• Posted his fourth interception of the season (14th of his career) on the Chargers' first drive of the game.
• Finished with three solo tackles.
S Ryan Clark
• Posted five tackles (two solo).
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*K Jeff Reed
• Finished 3-for-4 in field goals, including the 32-yard game-winner with 11 seconds remaining. It marked his second game-winning field goal of the season and the seventh of his career in the regular season.
• Booted a 21-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to trim the lead to 7-5.
• Added a 41-yard field goal midway through the third quarter to give Pittsburgh an 8-7 advantage.
