“We played for 58”.
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In the 3rd quarter Rivers tried to hit Malcom Floyd but Antwon Blake stepped. Had they only had two minutes or less, there might not have been enough time to score. It was Gates’ 100th career touchdown, as he joined Tony Gonzalez as the only tight ends with 100 touchdowns.
The Chargers led 7-3 at halftime, and the way they stormed out of the gate it seemed odd they only scored once. On a 3rd-and-10 play, the Chargers just needed one more stop to force the game into overtime or perhaps come away with a stunning win.
“I never had any expectations in terms of what I was going to do going into the game”, Gates said.
Gates two touchdown receptions were the 73 and 74 time he and Rivers hooked up for a touchdown. Left tackle King Dunlap (concussion), left guard Orlando Franklin (ankle) and right guard D.J. Fluker were all sidelined from practice Wednesday. Watt did not start at center because he’s been fighting a groin injury. They used everybody they had Monday night, and by the end of the evening the guys on the field included two who weren’t even with the organization in Week 1, J.D. Walton and Kenny Wiggins. Franklin was a key pickup in the offseason as the Chargers tried to beef up their line.
“It was time to go to the mattresses, if you will”, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “We’re on the road in a hostile environment, we’ve got to play to win and that’s what we did”.
Playing a few of the best football of his career, Philip Rivers helped rally the San Diego Chargers and avoid what would have been a third straight loss.
“He puts the confidence in us and we have to go out there and deliver”. The Chargers are trying to get Gordon more accustomed to the pro game, but it isn’t yielding very positive results. “We didn’t get it done”. Michael Vick completed 19 of 26 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown, and added 33 yards in nine rushes. Overall the team had 19 caches, 124 yards receiving, and one touchdown reception. On three other rushing attempt from the wildcat, he gained just 7 yards. For the game, Woodhead finished with four carries for 10 yards. Down Stevie Johnson (hamstring), non-wide receivers drew 32 of Rivers’ looks. The fourth-year pro hauled in all five of his targets for 50 yards and lined as the Chargers’ lone tight end on 30 snaps (penalties included). He had to throw 48 times to get there because again, at least from shotgun he’d have a couple seconds, unlike those sacrificial running backs. Hopefully he does not start a new one.
Lambo’s 40-yard field goal tied the game at 10-all to open the fourth quarter. This is a pivotal game for their playoff hopes and especially for the Steelers who won’t have Roethlisberger back for a little bit longer.
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This may as well have been the Chargers’ ninth road game. The Steelers improved to 3-2.
