PITTSBURGH (AP) — Justin Fields threw for a touchdown and ran for another as the Pittsburgh Steelers topped the Chargers 20-10 on Sunday.
Justin Herbert started on an achy right ankle and completed 12 of 18 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown before aggravating the injury midway through the third quarter. He was replaced by Taylor Heinicke, who did little in the face of a relentless pass rush as Pittsburgh pulled away.
Pittsburgh improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2020 behind another efficient performance from Fields, who completed 25 of 32 passes for 245 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III midway through the fourth quarter that broke it open.
Fields also added a 5-yard touchdown run and is quietly making a compelling case that he should be the starter even after Russell Wilson’s injured calf heals. Fields has played largely mistake-free through three games, though he did throw his first interception of the season on a tipped pass in the third quarter.
Najee Harris ran for 70 yards, Chris Boswell kicked a pair of field goals and Pittsburgh’s defense racked up five sacks while handing the Chargers (2-1) their first loss.
Two teams built on defense and running the ball spent the better part of three quarters exchanging punches before the Steelers found some breathing room in the fourth.
Boswell’s second field goal — at the end of a drive that included three Los Angeles defensive penalties — put the Steelers in front 13-10. Heinicke managed to produce one first down on Los Angeles’ next possession before punting.
Fields, looking to revive his career after three turbulent years in Chicago, found the 5-foot-9 Austin over the middle and the former Memphis walk-on did the rest, racing to the end zone to provide Pittsburgh’s defense some wiggle room that was hardly required.
The Steelers sacked Heinicke twice on the Chargers’ final possession then drained the final 4:59 off the clock behind Harris. Pittsburgh opted to run the clock out rather than score from the Los Angeles 1 in the final seconds as Acrisure Stadium erupted after the kind of victory that followed the blueprint of how longtime Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin expects to win games in 2024.
Herbert spent most of the week rehabbing a right ankle injury he initially injured last week in a win over Carolina. He started anyway and played wel before getting sacked by Pittsburgh’s Elandon Roberts midway through the third quarter. He stayed in for one more play before heading to the sideline.
The Chargers were careful with their franchise quarterback after his ankle was rolled up on in the third quarter last week against the Panthers. He stayed in to finish off the 26-3 rout but did not practice on Wednesday and was listed as limited on Thursday after doing some light throwing.
Herbert went through a typical warmup on the Acrisure Field turf about two hours before kickoff and was given the OK to play.
The Steelers outgained the Chargers 346-168 and held the ball for more than 33 minutes, with the L.A. appearing to wilt in the final minutes while their franchise quarterback watched from the bench.Injuries
NOTES
Chargers: Edge rusher Joey Bosa aggravated the hip issue that’s been nagging him on Pittsburgh’s first drive and did not return.
Steelers: Lost OLB Alex Highsmith to a groin injury late in the first half. … CB Cory Trice left in the first quarter with a hamstring injury. … WR Van Jefferson sustained an eye injury in the second quarter.