Chargers-Steelers Live Blogging: Second Quarter

Rivers to Gates gets them close to the sticks, but the Chargers can't convert a third down with Sproles, and Norv goes for the challenge prior to his punt. This move didn't work for Coughlin in the early game either, Norv! The challenge is crushed, Simms likes the move because it's stupid, and Scifres gets it inside the 20 on a Moore fair catch.

Parker with room and a burst gets 7, and if anyone likes the bye, it's a RB. San Diego with a 2-to-1 time of possession edge so far. Parker gets the first on a crease to the right, and he clearly likes facing the Chargers. A third straight carry nets him six, and he's got 7 for 41 so far. A spread draw is still his carry, and his fourth straight carry is another first down. It's old-time football, though he does hit the sidelines after that.

Moore comes in and gets four as the Chargers keep getting beaten at the point of attack. On second, Parker goes for 3 on the right side, and the Steelers are clearly trying to establish physicality. Third and three is a big deal here, and Ben from the gun is betrayed by a false start flag. You can't have that at home, even if you are anticipating a blitz. Third and 8 from the gun sees Ben with time, but the fullback can't make it, and it's fourth and two. Ben wisely hurries the team to the line, catching the Chargers in mid-change, and they take another timeout to deal with it. After the break, Berger's punt almost stays in bounds, but leaks its way in for a touchback.

The Chargers start with Harrison looking dangerous for the sack, and a near pick on the inside pass route. Now, that's the team I expected to see. A terrible looking screen is aborted by the QB on second. From the gun on third, Rivers throws a fly from pressure, and Jackson bails him out with a fantastic effort; the Steelers challenge, as they must. 50-50 call, and seriously, Jackson made an insane play if it's upheld. It's not, and the Chargers punt. Only Lynn Swann gets to make the play in Pittsburgh, punk! A nearly blocked punt leads to a fair catch at the Steelers 39.

Holmes on mild trickery for 3. Washington gets 5 on an out with a lot of extra useless running. On third from the gun, Ben has all day, but Davis can't get the two yards to move the sticks, and the Charger defense has come to play. A fake punt is snapped to the upback and is absolutely stuffed at the line, and Heinz Field is suddenly silent. Huge play there.

From the Steeler 44, Sproles loses two. From the gun, Rivers hits Naanee, who can't hold on. Third down is a huge play for the defense, and from the gun, Rivers finds Gates for the first down, beating Woodley badly. That was way too easy. Sproles on a delay loses four, and that's not the kind of running play that helps him. Rivers finds him out of the backfield, and Woodley crushes him, as the ball is behind him. Third down and 12 from the 32 is another field goal worry distance, but a gain to Gates makes that much more manageable. Kaeding in to try from 42 at the two-minute warning. It's the hard end of the stadium, but he gets it anyway, and it's 10-7 Chargers.

Steelers start at the 34 with 1:52 left. Ben from the gun has time to find Holmes and move the chains, despite pressure. The Chargers rush five, Moore gets nine, and Shawn Phillips is down, costing the Chargers a timeout that they wouldn't use anyway. From the gun on second and one, Ben misses Miller, who was wide open in the flat; just a bad throw there. Gary Russell converts in the power formation, and Pittsburgh calls time with 1:06 left. Nice run by Russell to move the chains.

From the gun at the Charger 40, Ben has all day and misses Holmes 25 yards downfield; another bad miss and clear opportunity. On second from the gun, he finds Miller to move the chains, but an illegal formation brings it back. Finally, they get the big play they needed, as Ben finds Ward from the gun after a pump fake, with a pristine pocket, for a 40 yard gain to the 3 yard line. As usual, the offense can't get it snapped after the big play, and despite the fact that Ward ran out of bounds, Ben takes a timeout.

A toss to Parker has three outstanding blocks, and the running back's first contact is in the end zone. Just a thing of beauty, that. With the PAT, it's 14-10 with 40 seconds left in the half, and since the Chargers have no timeouts, unless there is return weirdness, that will be your score at the half.

Russell takes Cromartie down at the 30, and you have to think the Chargers are going to sit on this here. They do, and that's that.