EDITOR'S NOTE: This is another in a series of articles looking back at some of the highlights from the 2024 season.
After winning their open in Atlanta and then beating the Broncos on the road, the Steelers finally had their home opener in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Chargers, who also entered having won their first two games of the season.
The Chargers took a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter on a touchdown pass from Justin Herbert to Quentin Johnston.
They wouldn't reach the end zone again.
The Steelers tied the game at 7-7 on a 5-yard Justin Fields touchdown run before allowing a field goal at the end of the half as the Chargers took a 10-7 lead.
The Steelers nearly answered at the end of the half, as Field connected with George Pickens on a 27-yard pass to midfield before Chris Boswell was sent out to attempt a 62-yard field goal as time expired.
Boswell missed the attempt – one of just three misses he had all season – as the Chargers took a 10-7 to the half.
The Steelers tied the game at 10-10 on the opening possession of the second half on a Boswell field goal, and Nick Herbig sacked Herbert on the Chargers' second play on the ensuing possession, aggravating an ankle injury he entered the game nursing.
"That kid has supreme confidence in himself," All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt said. "You can't tell him anything. I respect the heck out of it. He's going to do everything that he possibly can to perform. He's going to ask every question. He's going to turn over every stone and just bust his tail.
"I respect the heck out of Nick, and I'm glad that he had the day that he did today."
Former Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree intercepted Fields on a tipped pass at the Los Angeles 41. But Elandon Roberts sacked Herbert on first down and Herbert handed the ball off to JK Dobbins twice before exiting the game following another Chargers punt.
The Steelers added another Boswell field goal early in the fourth quarter, and Fields tossed a 55-yard touchdown to Calvin Austin III on their next possession to put the Steelers ahead, 20-10.
The Steelers defense, meanwhile, clamped down on the Chargers, allowing no offensive yards in the second half, as they sacked Herbert and backup Taylor Heinicke five times. Los Angeles finished the game with just 166 yards of offense.
Fields completed 25-of-32 passes for 245 yards with a touchdown and interception while also rushing for a score. Najee Harris had 18 carries for 70 yards, while Austin had four receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown.
Herbig paced the defensive effort with two of the team's five sacks and also forced a fumble while subbing for an injured Alex Highsmith. Patrick Queen had a team-high eight tackles.
It would be a trend for Herbig, who finished the season with 5 ½ sacks and three strip sacks in a backup role in 2024.
The 20 points allowed by the Chargers matched their season-high in 2024.
The Steelers, meanwhile, continued a stretch of not allowing a single point to an opponent in the second halves of their first three games.
"They just wanted to be the best defense on the field," said head coach Mike Tomlin. "They respond to those things and take those challenges very personally, and they played like it."
