Next Philip Rivers 7/10 Went 8/8 for 93 yards with a touchdown pass to Antonio Gates to start the game, picking apart the Steelers’ frail secondary. Just missed Inman on his first incomplete pass of the day and could have looked for more effort from his receiver. Struggled after that to get any kind of rhythm going as drives were plagued by penalties and a battered offensive line protecting him, and had an interception returned for a touchdown.

Previous Next Michael Vick 5/10 Struggled in the game and completed just 9/18 for 159 yards, which included a 72-yard touchdown. Vick was picked off on a last-second Hail Mary attempt to end the first half, and could have been intercepted a further three times by Wilson and Verrett. He failed to pick up the Chargers blitz, missing out on simple reads that Roethlisberger would no doubt have made. Bell taking direct snaps regularly in the wildcat formation showed the confidence, or rather lack thereof, the Steelers have in the veteran.

Previous Next Melvin Gordon 4/10 Danny Woodhead 6/10 The Chargers run game was pretty ineffective in the game, as they rushed for 24 yards on nine carries. Eight of those, for 23 yards, came from Gordon, who also fumbled the ball on the opening drive of the second half. Woodhead caught a pass off the screen and ran for 31 yards, also drawing a facemask penalty. Two plays later, the Chargers were in the end zone. It was another day when passing to rookie running back Melvin Gordon was ineffective, as the elusive Woodhead proved to be a more viable option out of the backfield in the passing game.

Previous Next Le’Veon Bell 9/10 In the opening three drives the Chargers held Bell for 20 yards on six carries, but the Pittsburgh running back stretched his legs midway through the second quarter carrying the ball five consecutive plays for 41 yards. That got the Steelers in field position to get their first points of the game. Bell had three runs of at least 20 yards against the Chargers and 127 all-purpose yards in the game. A clutch moment from Bell secured the win for the Steelers on the road with a last second lunge into the end zone. He was the difference maker in the game even before that.

Previous Next Chargers Offensive line 2/10 Ranked the fourth worst O-line by PFF, allowing pressure on 33% of dropbacks prior to this game, they led to two failed drives in the opening half by picking up two holding penalties making it an uphill battle for the Chargers. A false start by Hairston, his second penalty of the day, killed yet another Chargers drive deep in their own half. Walton and Fluker were the other culprits capping off a haphazard day for the O-line. Injuries once again unsettled the team on offense, as Barksdale and Watt went in and out of action as the remaining linemen rotated.

Previous Next Steelers Offensive line 4/10 Didn’t help Vick much in pass protection, but made small seams in the Chargers defensive line that Bell gleefully burst through.

Previous Next Chargers wide receivers and tight ends 7/10 Antonio Gates returned for the Bolts in his first game of the season after serving his four-game suspension. It was clear that Rivers missed his go-to-guy, who caught three passes for 34 yards on the first drive and his 100th career touchdown, then added a second touchdown to give the Chargers the lead. He led all receivers on the night with eight receptions for 83 yards. The Chargers wide receivers on the other hand struggled in the opening half, as Keenan Allen caught two passes with Malcom Floyd grabbing the only receptions to wideouts in 30 minutes of the game against a weak Steelers secondary.

Previous Next Steelers wide receivers and tight ends 7/10 The Steelers receivers were stoked early on by the Chargers coverage and didn’t adjust when Vick was pressured by the Chargers defensive line. Had two big plays from Heath Miller (26-yard completion) and Antonio Brown (39-yard catch) but a stuttering offense headed by Vick was unable to put together a consistent drive. Wheaton’s huge touchdown brought the Steelers right back into contention after a lovely double move on Flowers and strolling to the end zone for a 72-yard touchdown.

Previous Next Chargers defensive line 8/10 In the opening two drives they pressured Vick well and forced him to run out of bounds on third down and punt on consecutive drives. They then got their first sack on defense all the season through Corey Liuget – and Ricardo Mathews got their second midway through the third quarter.

Previous Next Steelers defensive line 6/10 Their work was largely done for them as the Charger offensive line gave away cheap penalties. They capitalised on a weak Bolts offensive line and stuffed the run option for the Chargers, leaving them with only one option – sling the ball downfield.

Previous Next Chargers secondary 7/10 Covered the field well and came up trumps on third down with tight coverage. Only allowed one big play (Heath Miller’s 25-yard reception) on the opening two drives. Verrett had two big plays against Antonio Brown, deflecting two passes in three plays against the star receiver. Jimmy Wilson could have got his second interception in the game following his interception to end the half, but he couldn’t hold onto the ball after reading the pass perfectly. Flowers showed his weakness this season, showing a lack of speed and getting beaten too easily by Wheaton’s double move.

Previous Next Steelers secondary 4/10 Left holes across the field letting Rivers throw to his first option seemingly every time without any significant pressure. The defensive line stepped up and the Chargers O-line capitulated, so the secondary had little to do – but couldn’t even do that well, as Rivers continued to find an open man on the quick release.

Previous Next Chargers special teams 8/10 Scifres had three punts in the game, all over 50 yards, giving the Chargers defense a big advantage. Jacoby Jones’ first game since the opening game against the Lions wasn’t spectacular, but it was certainly an improvement on Keenan Allen, who didn’t suit the role at all. Josh Lambo hit two field goals, including one mammoth 54-yard field goal, but ultimately didn’t lead to a Chargers win.