The Chargers suffered their first loss of the season, falling short to the Steelers, 20-10.
Here’s our recap of the Week 3 loss.
It was over when…
Justin Fields connected with Calvin Austin for a 55-yard touchdown to extend their lead to 10.
3 stars of the game
- WR Quentin Johnston: Johnston picked up his third touchdown of the season.
- QB Justin Herbert: Before Herbert got hurt and left the game with his ankle injury, he was playing well.
- S Derwin James: James was flying around the field. He made some jarring hits and had a sack.
Quick hits
- It’s difficult to overcome injuries to key players, and the Chargers couldn’t do that after losing Herbert and Rashawn Slater. Once Slater left the game with a pectoral injury, the pass protection was nonexistent as T.J. Watt and company had their way. Taylor Heinicke was sacked three times, which came on the final two possessions.
- Joe Alt struggled against Watt before he went out of the game with an ankle injury.
- The Chargers had no success running the football against the stout Steelers front. J.K. Dobbins averaged just 2.9 yards per carry on 15 rushes.
- Johnston picked up where he left off last weekend, finding the end zone for the second consecutive week. He surpassed the number of touchdowns he had in his rookie season.
- After allowing only 112 yards in the first half and picking off Justin Fields halfway through the third quarter, the defense crumbled afterward. They were gassed by how long they had been on the field. The backbreaker was Fields’ 55-yard touchdown pass to Austin in the fourth quarter.
What’s next?
The Chargers are back home to take on the Chiefs (2-0) next Sunday, Sept. 29, at 1:25 p.m. PT.
