The Los Angeles Chargers continued their midseason surge with a statement win on Sunday Night Football.
Behind a defense that dictated the pace and a steady performance from Justin Herbert, Los Angeles defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 25-10 at SoFi Stadium. Veteran wideout Keenan Allen added a record-breaking highlight to the night, becoming the franchise’s all-time receptions leader (956) as the Chargers won their third straight.
It wasn’t flashy, but it didn’t have to be. The Chargers relied on discipline and execution to control the tempo from start to finish against a Pittsburgh offense that struggled to find its rhythm.
The tone was set early by veteran edge rusher Khalil Mack, who sacked Rodgers in the end zone for a safety midway through the first quarter. It was the Chargers’ first safety since 2022, and it cracked open what became a long night for the four-time MVP.
Rodgers never found a rhythm on Sunday night. He finished 16-of-31 for just 161 passing yards and two interceptions, was sacked three times and didn’t throw a touchdown until garbage time with under three minutes left. The Steelers went 0-for-9 on third down before converting on their lone scoring drive, a sign of just how well the Chargers executed on defense.
For most of the first half, both offenses traded punts and penalties but that changed late in the second quarter with the Chargers nursing a slim 5-3 lead.
Then here comes rookie safety RJ Mickens. With two minutes to go, Mickens picked off Rodgers, setting up the Chargers at Pittsburgh’s 38-yard line. Three plays later, Herbert found Ladd McConkey wide open across the middle for a 16-yard touchdown, giving LA its first touchdown of the night and a 12-3 lead heading into halftime.
That sequence flipped the game. From there, the Chargers never looked back.
After Cameron Dicker drilled a 59-yard field goal which tied his franchise record to make it 15–3, the Chargers defense delivered again. On fourth-and-6 from the 10-yard line, cornerback Cam Hart broke up a Rodgers pass intended for wide receiver DK Metcalf, ending Pittsburgh’s best scoring opportunity.
Two plays later, Herbert uncorked a deep 58-yard bomb to McConkey. Running back Kimani Vidal capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown, pushing the lead to 22-3 and effectively icing the game.
Vidal finished with 95 rushing yards on 25 carries, while Herbert added 220 yards through the air. Despite being sacked five times behind a depleted offensive line, the Chargers’ franchise quarterback remained composed, spreading the ball to seven different receivers.
The win moves the Chargers within a game of first place in the AFC West, keeping their playoff hopes squarely in focus. Next up for Harbaugh’s group is a cross-country trip to Jacksonville for a Week 11 showdown against the Jaguars.