EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second 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 and playing strong defense.
But the Steelers would do so without the services of outside linebacker Alex Highsmith, one of the cornerstones of the defense. Highsmith suffered a groin injury during the game that would sideline him for the next few weeks.
That was fine, as it turned out, because the Steelers also had second-year linebacker Nick Herbig, who did his best Highsmith impression, recording a pair of sacks and forcing a fumble.
"I'm not surprised by the performance," said fellow outside linebacker T.J. Watt. "He went out there and played with a lot of swag and confidence.
"That kid has supreme confidence in himself. 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."
The Steelers allowed minus-5 yards of offense in the second half while keeping the Chargers out of the end zone. It was the fourth-fewest yards allowed by a team in a half since 2000.
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 Herbig sacked Herbert on the Chargers' second play on the ensuing possession, aggravating an ankle injury he entered the game nursing.
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 minus-5 offensive yards in the second half, as they sacked Herbert and backup Taylor Heinicke five times, including two by Herbig. 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.
Patrick Queen had a team-high eight tackles.
The 20 points allowed by the Chargers matched their season-high in a road game in 2024.
