Chargers Dominate Rodgers, Steelers 25-10 for Third Straight Win/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Los Angeles Chargers extended their win streak to three by defeating Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers 25-10 on Sunday night. Justin Herbert threw for 220 yards and a touchdown while the Chargers’ defense forced multiple turnovers. The win moves L.A. closer to the top of the AFC West.
Chargers vs. Steelers Recap: Quick Looks
- Chargers beat Steelers 25-10 for third consecutive win
- Justin Herbert throws for 220 yards and a TD
- Aaron Rodgers struggles with 2 interceptions, 3 sacks
- Pittsburgh goes 0-for-9 on third downs until late TD
- Chargers’ defense holds Steelers to 221 total yards
- Ladd McConkey, Kimani Vidal spark offensive surge
- Khalil Mack records safety and hits sack milestone
- Cameron Dicker nails 59-yard FG, ties team record
- Keenan Allen sets franchise reception record with 956
Deep Look
Chargers Overwhelm Rodgers, Steelers 25-10 for Third Straight Victory
The Los Angeles Chargers continued their midseason resurgence Sunday night with a commanding 25-10 victory over Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers under the lights in Inglewood. The win marked the Chargers’ third consecutive triumph and brought their record to 7-3, keeping them firmly in playoff contention and just a game behind the division-leading Denver Broncos.
Quarterback Justin Herbert led the way with a composed performance, throwing for 220 yards and a touchdown despite being under constant pressure from a depleted offensive line. Herbert completed 20 of 33 passes and also rushed five times for 19 yards. It was his fourth straight game with at least 200 passing yards.
Herbert Efficient, McConkey and Vidal Shine
The game’s turning point came in the second quarter when Chargers rookie safety RJ Mickens picked off Rodgers — the quarterback’s sixth interception of the season. Just a few plays later, Herbert connected with rookie wideout Ladd McConkey for a 15-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 12-3.
McConkey later caught a 58-yard bomb from Herbert, setting up a 2-yard touchdown run by rookie running back Kimani Vidal. Vidal finished with 25 carries for 95 yards, scoring his second rushing touchdown of the season and helping ice the game in the second half.
Rodgers Struggles Against Relentless Defense
The 41-year-old Rodgers had one of his least effective outings of the season, completing just 16 of 31 passes for 161 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He was sacked three times and pressured throughout the night. The Chargers defense allowed just 221 total yards — continuing a three-game stretch of dominant play.
“I didn’t play very good at all,” Rodgers admitted after the loss. The Steelers, who were coming off a key win over the Colts, failed to convert a third down until their lone touchdown drive in the final three minutes.
Chargers Defense Sets the Tone
The Chargers’ defense was the story of the game, consistently disrupting the Steelers’ offensive rhythm. Khalil Mack delivered a critical play in the first quarter, sacking Rodgers in the end zone for a safety after a fumble recovery. It was Mack’s 35th sack as a Charger, making him only the second player in NFL history to reach that total with three different teams.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh praised his team’s grit: “I like wins that are decided by great preparation and strategy, but the best are the physical ones, won by heart and grit and guts — and that’s what this one was.”
The Chargers’ tackling was noticeably sharper, as Harbaugh noted postgame. “It’s been crisper, sharper. Guys just doing their job, not trying to do someone else’s.”
Special Teams and Milestones
Kicker Cameron Dicker continued his reliable run, connecting on field goals of 32, 59, and 42 yards. His 59-yarder tied the franchise record for longest field goal, helping the Chargers build a two-score lead. A later 55-yard attempt bounced off the upright, leaving him with an impressive 50-for-53 record at SoFi Stadium.
Veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen also reached a historic milestone. With two catches, Allen surpassed Hall of Famer Antonio Gates for the most receptions in Chargers franchise history, bringing his career total to 956.
Steelers’ Skid Continues
The loss drops the Steelers to 5-4, and marks their third defeat in four games. After a promising start, Pittsburgh’s offense has sputtered behind a struggling Rodgers and an ineffective third-down game plan. The team was 0-for-9 on third downs before finally converting on its final drive, which ended in a 27-yard touchdown to Roman Wilson.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t mince words: “We stunk it up tonight. We’ll be back.”
Injuries
The game saw a few notable injuries. Steelers cornerback Darius Slay was evaluated for a concussion in the second quarter and did not return. Chargers defensive lineman Teair Tart and tight end Oronde Gadsden left in the third quarter with knee issues.
Up Next
- Steelers: Host division rival Cincinnati Bengals next Sunday.
- Chargers: Travel to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in a pivotal AFC showdown.
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