October 8, 2009
NFL- Steelers take an early lead against Chargers, fight through to the end
By Ally White
Last year’s Super Bowl Champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers, finally put on a show worthy of their title last Sunday night at the Heinz Field against the San Diego Chargers. The defending champions, who have already suffered from two consecutive losses this season, gained an early 28-0 lead, leaving the Chargers floundering until the final minutes of the game, when San Diego was able to cut the lead with several touchdowns. In the end, however, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger recuperated, closing the game 38-28.
In the first quarter, Roethlisberger converted two passes – one to Rashard Mendenhall, who scored a 1-yard runner for a touchdown and the other to Mewelde Moore, who scored a 19-yard touchdown – putting the score 14-0.
The Steelers kept control of the action in the second, scoring another touchdown thanks to a 2-yard run by Mendenhall, setting the score at 21-0 at halftime.
By the third, Pittsburgh was ahead 28-0 after Roethlisberger threw to wing Heath Miller in 6 yards. And suddenly, as the final minutes of the third ticked by, the Chargers decided to enter the game.
San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers threw to Antonio Gates for a 3-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 28-7. Minutes later, in the fourth, the Steelers’ Stefan Longan lost the ball to Jacob Hester, who scored a touchdown for the Chargers in a 41-yard run, bringing the score to 28-14.
The Steelers, perhaps recovering from momentary surprise, used a 6-yard pass from Moore to Heath Miller to bring the score to 35-14. But San Diego didn’t give up, closing the score to within 7 points after two consecutive touchdowns from Antonio Gates and Chris Chambers.
Despite the rough fight in the last quarters – giving the illusion that the game was a close one – Pittsburgh secured the triumph with a 46-yard field goal by Jeff Reed, closing the game 38-28.
Roethlisberger and second-year professional Mendenhall combined for a nightmare of an offense for the Chargers. Mendenhall, who was pulled from a game earlier this season for his inability to run the plays, completed a total of 165 yards and scored 2 touchdowns in the game.
The victory pushed the Steelers into third place of the AFC North Division with 2 wins and 2 losses. Despite the loss, the Chargers are in second place of the AFC West, with a similar 2-2 record.
At the end of the game, Roethlisberger praised his team’s efforts, particularly the great showing from Mendenhall.
"We had to answer the bell. We did it all night long on offense. He [Mendenhall] did a great job running the ball. The offensive line did a great job opening up holes. We put up 38, and I think it could have been more,” Roethlisberger said.
Mendenhall, who broke his collarbone after his only start last season, was also pleased with his performance.
"I wanted people to see me and who I am. This was a time I was able to do that, play a full game for the first time in my career. And I feel good about it.”
About the Author
Ally White has been a prominent writer on daily NFL Football Season reviews, sports news and sports betting industry updates for many exceptional sports web sites. You may reprint this article in its full content, please note no modifications to it are accepted.