PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers defense out-performed the Los Angeles Chargers defense in Sunday’s 20-10 win. Both units are a elite, but the Steelers proved that they can be a group to be reckoned with this year. The Chargers had -5 yards in the second half.
“We knew it was going to be an entertaining game. They’re playing great defense. We were playing great defense. We had to challenge our defense to out-perform theirs. I thought they did,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said after the game.
“We had a commitment to the run game. Obviously, they came in with the league’s leading rusher and the No. 1 offense and our offense had to out-rush theirs, and we did, and that’s why the game unfolded the way it did.
“I’m just appreciative of the efforts of the guys. It was a fight, though, man. These guys are obviously well-coached and a talented group. It didn’t happen instantly. We had to stay in it. But that’s life and definitely life in the NFL.”
The Steelers defense has allowed 26 points in three games this year, that’s an average of 8.7 points per game. The Steelers are 3-0, allowing 10 or fewer points in each game, for the first time in over 50 years.
The Steelers dominated L.A., holding the Chargers to 168 yards, 10 total first downs, and no points in the second half. The Steelers sacked Herbert and Heinicke a combined five times.
With the Steelers holding onto a 13-10 lead, linebacker Elandon Roberts sacked Justin Hebert on a blitz, knocking the already injured quarterback out of the game. That forced a punt, and the Steelers capitalized with a long drive that finished with Justin Fields hitting Calvin Austin III for a 55-yard, game-breaking touchdown.
“They just wanted to be the best defense on the field,” Tomlin said. “They responded to those things and take those challenges very personally. And they played like it.”
Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins came into the game as the NFL’s leading rusher with 266 yards through two games. He also led the league in yards per carry (9.9). The defense held him to 44 yards on 15 carries (2.9 average) on Sunday and allowed 61 yards overall on the ground.
“We’d better respond that way,” Tomlin said. “There’s a nakedness in this business at this level. There’s nowhere to hide.
“When you’ve got a challenge like that walking in your venue, you’d better fight. With the No. 1 rusher and rushing team coming into our building, let’s be real clear, they’ve got to fight. They don’t have a choice.”
Highsmith suffered a groin injury late in the second quarter of Sunday’s game and did not return. With Highsmith out, second-year outside linebacker Nick Herbig recorded two sacks, two quarterback hits, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble in the second half.
“We spend less time worrying about the unfortunates that got hurt. We like to spend our time focusing on the guys who get the opportunity to elevate and contribute. Sucks for Alex Highsmith. Excited for (Nick) Herbig, for example,” Tomlin said. “And none of us are surprised with the quality of work he gave us and a lot of others.”
T.J. Watt also had another dominating performance, recording a sack in the second half after beating rookie right tackle Joe Alt. The fans at Acrisure Stadium gave the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year a MVP chant after his sack. Through three games, Watt’s certainly on track for another DPOY award.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.