INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Despite a banged-up roster, the Los Angeles Chargers delivered a physical statement win on Sunday night, shutting down Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers 25–10 at SoFi Stadium.
Justin Herbert threw for 220 yards and a touchdown while guiding the Chargers (7–3) to their third straight victory. The performance came behind a patchwork offensive line, but the team showed grit and balance on both sides of the ball.
“It’s a huge win for us,” Herbert said. “Everyone battled through a lot tonight.”
After a midseason slump that saw them lose three of four, the Chargers have now beaten Minnesota, Tennessee, and Pittsburgh to stay within a game of the AFC West–leading Denver Broncos.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh praised his team’s toughness. “I love wins that come from heart and grit,” he said. “This one was pure willpower.”
Los Angeles’ defense smothered Rodgers for most of the game, holding the veteran quarterback without a touchdown until the final minutes. Rodgers finished just 16-of-31 for 161 yards with two interceptions and three sacks before connecting with Roman Wilson for a late 27-yard score.
“I didn’t play very good at all,” Rodgers admitted.
The Steelers (5–4) continued their recent skid, dropping their third game in four weeks after entering as AFC North leaders. They were held without a third-down conversion until their lone touchdown drive, going 0-for-9 prior.
“We were bad,” Rodgers said. “We couldn’t sustain drives, and that’s on us.”
Pittsburgh’s only other points came from Chris Boswell’s 59-yard field goal in the first quarter. Head coach Mike Tomlin summed up the night bluntly: “We stunk it up tonight. We’ll be back.”
The Chargers defense set the tone early when Khalil Mack sacked Rodgers for a safety after a fumbled snap, giving L.A. its first safety since 2022. The veteran pass rusher became just the second player in NFL history to record at least 35 sacks with three different teams.
Herbert capitalized on the next turnover — an interception by rookie RJ Mickens — by finding Ladd McConkey for a 15-yard touchdown and a 12–3 halftime lead.
Los Angeles continued to pile on in the second half. Herbert connected again with McConkey for a 58-yard strike, setting up a 2-yard touchdown run by Kimani Vidal that pushed the advantage to 22–3. Vidal finished with 95 rushing yards and his second touchdown of the season.
Kicker Cameron Dicker added three field goals (32, 59, and 42 yards). His 59-yarder tied the longest in franchise history.
Meanwhile, Keenan Allen made history of his own, surpassing Hall of Famer Antonio Gates to become the Chargers’ all-time leader in receptions with 956.
Herbert, who was sacked five times, still managed to extend his streak of 200-yard passing games to four straight. “Our defense made it easier for us,” he said. “They got big turnovers and huge stops.”
Los Angeles has allowed just 221 yards or fewer in each of its last three games.
“We’ve just gotten sharper,” Harbaugh added. “Better tackling, better discipline — just guys doing their jobs.”
Injuries:
Steelers CB Darius Slay left in the second quarter with a concussion and did not return. Chargers DL Teair Tart and TE Oronde Gadsden (knee) were injured in the third quarter.
Up Next:
Steelers: Host the Cincinnati Bengals next Sunday.
Chargers: Travel to face the Jacksonville Jaguars next Sunday.
