Chargers-Steelers Live Blogging: Third Quarter

I get back a little late, but in that the only thing I missed were Steeler plays when the entire quarter consists of them, so be it. Ben just misses Holmes on a huge bomb, and he was open; that would have been sensational. A draw to Parker fools no one, and the third and 11 is downright surgical to Washington for 15. Clean pocket, clean line, laser throw, perfect. When Ben's right, there's no one better. Parker gets two to the left, and if this was a fight, San Diego would be looking wobbly; you do not want to be down two scores to this defense on the road. Davis gets nothing on a screen, and third and eight is forced. Another clean pocket as the Chargers try trickery, and Miller makes a nice catch and turn for the first. Parker for a little more than usual, and then Miller off the rollout gets in at the goal line. As predicted, the fact that the Chargers don't get enough pressure on the QB to keep Miller in to pass protect is just immense, and it's 21-10 after an 81-yard, 14-play drive that eats over half of the third quarter. A thing of beauty, and that's the 10.5 point favorite that I picked.

Can San Diego answer and maintain any drama? Yes, because Sproles plays the game at a different speed than everyone else. A 63-yard kickoff return is just electric, and the Chargers from the 27... but the ball is tipped at the line on a slant where the lineman gets his hands up, and just that fast, the Steelers get the turnover. Just about the worst thing, short of a fumbled kickoff return, for the road team, as that defense looked gassed when it was just a 4-point game. Bus for the airport is warming up, Norv!

And just to make it official, Norv wants to review the interception ruling. Since Phil Simms thinks it's a good challenge, I don't need to say how this ends, right? At least they don't have any more to waste for the rest of the game. (And yes, Simms is still saying how smart of a play it was to challenge. Jeez.)

Steelers trying to grind it out, and the CBS mikes are picking up a lot of verbiage on the field now; exciting! The third and three from the gun is trickery in which Ben throws a nice little block to get Holmes for the first down. It's not far from Confetti Bucket time, Charger Fan...

Parker for 4, who celebrates his tackle as if it weren't at the end of a four yard gain. Chargers not exactly showing us the smarts here. The RB breaks it to the right on the 18th Steeler play for the Chargers 1, but it comes back on a hold by Miller. On 2nd and 16 from the gun, Moore takes a draw for five, and it's one more chance for the exhausted Charger defense to get off the field. The third and 11 is Ben from the gun to Moore, but Weddle stops him well in front of the sticks, and some drama is still with us. The Berger punt is a freak play, as it bounces off Weddle's helmet for the Steeler recovery. Since you can't advance a muff -- but you can wear it, possibly as a nicer accessory than a Steeler Gimp Mask -- the Steelers get the ball at the Chargers 23. And yes, The Exhausted Charger Defense is about to become A Theme.

A false start makes it first and fifteen. The Steelers are at 100 to 0 for yards in this half. Ward gets it closer with another big play, and roughness at the end of draws the first down. Parker gets a few, Ben dances all over before throwing it out of bounds, and the third quarter ends with Russell taking it to the six-inch line on an inside run. The quarter ends with the Steelers up 21-10, and a yard away from putting this one strongly out of reach. Your time of possession in that quarter: 14:47 to 0:13. Wow.