Chargers get pushed around in second half of Steelers game

It was a tough game to watch as the Chargers got pushed around in the second half.

Mike Tomlin’s Steelers seemed to be punishing the Chargers for their rather impressive first half performance. With the halftime score tied 10-10, the Chargers laid a goose egg in the second half. Three and out, three and out etc. The Chargers offense was actually minus 5 yards in the second half. The Chargers got Herbert hurt by not protecting him very well, but injuries are not why the Chargers got beat down in the second half Sunday, the Chargers got manhandled and shut down because the Steelers have a very solid defense. It is never easy to win in the noisy Steel Town. The Steelers adjusted fast at key moments. Alex Highsmith used a speed rush to beat ponderous Jamaree Salyer after the massive guard replaced injured Slater late in the second quarter. The quick pressure dealt Herbert a key incompletion and led to Pipkins replacing Salyer. Mostly, it was this: The Steelers won up front, clicked in the pass game at the right time and stampeded to the finish line. They ripped Jesse Minter’s unit for 7 yards per play and 284 yards in the second half. Ouch!

The Steelers new QB, Justin Fields, turned in perhaps his best career game, almost matching Herbert in the first half and finishing 25 for 32 for 245 yards and a touchdown. Other than his third-quarter interception — a bad throw that bounced off a helmet — Fields, 25, protected the ball.

Famous for having no losing seasons in his 17 years as a head coach, the defensive-minded Tomlin may have found the right combination at QB (Fields) and coordinator (Smith) to speed up the transition from the 18-year Ben Roethlisberger era that ended three years ago. It was a great win for the Steelers, basically taking over the game as the Chargers got smacked in the second half. So we will give the Steelers credit and hopefully the Chargers can build off this tough loss.

The Chiefs will definitely be ready for the Chargers, but if the Chargers can regroup and continue to play some great defense, the Chiefs can be beat! Stay tuned!