Takeaways: Steelers steal Chargers’ thunder
Steel City Underground offers post-game takeaways for every 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers NFL regular season games, focusing on the black and gold, just for members of Steelers Nation.
On Sunday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Los Angeles Chargers for the home opener at Acrisure Stadium for Week 3 of the 2024 NFL regular season. Despite injuries altering the personnel on the field for both teams, it was Pittsburgh that was able to steal all the thunder from their AFC counterparts, handing Los Angeles their first loss this season. The Steelers exited the field with a 3-0 record after the 20-10 victory.
Alt vs Watt was no match
There’s no doubt that Chargers right tackle Joe Alt is a gifted football player. The much-touted matchup between him and T.J. Watt before the game – made a viral topic when Alt shut down Maxx Crosby and Jadeveon Clowney in weeks 1 & 2 – was in Watt’s favor. Although Watt recorded just one sack, his pressure was so heavy that the Chargers began using tight ends and double teams to chip him in order to give Alt help. That allowed other Steelers to get off the snap and into the offensive backfield to the tune of five total QB sacks in the game.
https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1837935238728519718?t=8__kvk6fG7oXHGYEjdI-PQ&s=19
Fields’ stock still climbing
Justin Fields got off to a slow start against a Chargers defense that is a tough nut to crack. They play hard-nosed football in nearly every aspect, something the Steelers defense understands and embodies as well.
Despite being sacked twice and throwing an interception that was the result of the ball bouncing among several players on both teams near the line of scrimmage before being recovered by Bud Dupree, Fields was crisp with his passes and in command of the offense.
Fields finished the game 25-of-32 for 245 yards passing and one touchdown to Calvin Austin. Fields also scored off of a run for a touchdown. That type of a performance will be hard to ignore even as fans wonder when Russell Wilson may, or may not, play. Fields has improved every week, which puts the Steelers in a favorable position.
“I feel like I’m just very calm out there, cool, calm and collected in the field and really just that sense of peace out there on the field and not rushing things… Internally, my brain, just staying calm in the pocket, making plays…” – Justin Fields
‘Next man up’ worked well
Unfortunately, the Steelers had a handful of injuries that played a part in Sunday’s game. When Alex Highsmith was forced out of the game due to a groin injury, Nick Herbig stepped up to the tune of two sacks; one was a strip-sack that forced the Chargers to recover the loose ball.
Van Jefferson suffered an eye injury which gave Austin and fellow receiver Scotty Miller more opportunities to make plays. Both had some big catches. Miller finished with two for 31; his longest went for 20 yards. Austin finished with four for 95 with his longest being the 55-yard catch and run for a touchdown.
Cornerback Cory Trice suffered a hamstring injury but Beanie Bishop entered the game and helped the secondary limit the Chargers to just 107 yards of offense in the receiving game and only 3-of-11 third down conversions (zero fourth down conversions).
https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1838028509706416205?t=BTfS2mcFXYtUoixg3pl1FQ&s=19
Final thoughts
Ahead of the game, we mentioned areas to watch in the Steelers’ play this weekend.
Patrick Queen did, indeed, step up to help shut down the run game. Defensive end Cameron Heyward captained the efforts, but Queen was quickly involved and led all Steelers defenders with eight tackles.
The offensive line was cleaner in their play. Broderick Jones was much better at tackle, too. They didn’t see much of Bosa due to his departure from the game early after re-injuring his hip. Khalil Mack was minimized, not eliminated; that’s a positive in our book.
The run game was more punishing, with Najee Harris and Cordarrelle Patterson making some big plays. That helped open up passing as the Chargers defense wore down.
3-0 is a great start to the season.
Cam Heyward, Calvin Austin III, Nick Herbig, Pat Freiermuth, Mason McCormick, and Dan Moore Jr. talk to the media after the Steelers 20-10 win over the Chargers. @TicketMaster pic.twitter.com/OE9IVV7ok9
— Steelers Live (@SteelersLive) September 22, 2024
