[Editor’s note:  Former Broncos G.M. Ted Sundquist looks at Sunday’s game between the Chargers and the Steelers; with all the attention paid to a screwy call that had no effect on the final score, it might be easy to forget that a full game was played.]  

Things are beginning to unravel for San Diego in their quest to defend the AFC West. The Chargers traveled out to cold & snowy Pittsburgh in an attempt to rebound back into the playoff hunt with the first of two “must win” scenarios (next week, they host Indy). The Steelers were trying to stay tied atop the AFC North, but knowing full well that Baltimore faced the class of the NFC (NYG). If Pittsburgh could defeat the visiting Chargers and the Ravens couldn’t match the Giants, “terrible towels” would be swinging across Pennsylvania. Pro Bowl RB LaDainian Tomlinson hasn’t been the dominating force of the past in the Chargers offensive attack. For the better part of ’08, QB Philip Rivers has led San Diego through the air. The Chargers have stayed balanced via the run & pass, but statistics show that L.T. isn’t having the impact he normally would contribute. The Steelers defense has been equally effective in stifling both phases. Forcing most opponents into lengthy distance, late down situations, the Steelers are then able to unleash their 3-4 front from numerous angles to pressure the opposing QB.

KEY #1 for San Diego was to find a way to get L.T. back in the rhythm of the offense. Twice he had rushed for over 100 yards (OAK & NO). If L.T. could keep the Steelers honest, it might open up a window of production for Rivers that Peyton Manning had found a week earlier.

The results were mixed, but Tomlinson didn’t come close to hurting the Steelers via the ground game. Fifty-seven yards on eighteen carries were all he could muster, adding another forty yards on three receptions. He carried the ball 11 times on first down, gaining 46 yards. The Chargers would convert 5 of 10 third downs, but never really softened up the Steelers defense enough to create the big “big play” off play-action.

San Diego has struggled to create pressure and finish the sack on opposing QB’s for most of the season. The loss of Shawne Merriman really hasn’t been filled with an equivalent force by any other player up front. “Big Ben” Roethlisberger had been sacked 31 times going into the game, 12 over the past 3 weeks. The challenge was on San Diego to find some of that pressure (KEY #2) and perhaps force a turnover or create the short field advantage for their offense on the road.

The Steelers continue to struggle. Roethlisberger was sacked 4 times, hurried another 5. He didn’t throw an interception, but he didn’t throw a TD either. The Steeler running game was able to back off the pressure up front a bit (124 yards) & Roethlisberger kept the offense moving (7 of 14 third down conversions) off of 31 of 41 passing, 308 yards. The Chargers defense didn’t allow a score, holding Pittsburgh to just 3 field goals. But the last Steelers drive was San Diego’s undoing; a 13 play, 73 yard drive that chewed up 6:30 and put Pittsburgh ahead for good.

KEY #3 was the return of Willie Parker to the Steeler offense. Parker has been in and out for most of the season and was the “missing link” to Pittsburgh efficiency. The Chargers have struggled all season to slow down opponents and give up some 4+ yards per play 54.3% of the time. The Steelers are a noted “right hand” team when it comes to running the ball, but San Diego shows a noticeable weakness to the left. I felt Pittsburgh might go right after that “crack in the wall” behind LOT Max Starks.

Parker ran for 115 yards on 25 carries, averaging 4.6 per tote. As a team the Steelers ran for 4.4 and went to their left 11 times for 43 yards, a respectable 3.9 average. The Chargers did their dead level best to slow down Pittsburgh’s running game, but Parker “punched” San Diego for 31 yards on the last drive that set up the go ahead field goal and the Chargers could do nothing to stop it. (Parker actually scored but it was nullified by a hold).

Pittsburgh hadn’t been overly productive with the long ball throughout the season. WR Nate Washington has been the primary “deep threat” in the Steeler passing game and KEY #4 would be his ability to turn the long ball against a suspect Charger secondary. San Diego had given up 27 plays of 20+ via the air and another 27 quick strike scoring drives.

On what proved to a be a “nasty” weather day at Heinz Field, I felt the Steelers might have opportunity to strike off play action against the Chargers. Washington wasn’t the weapon, he caught 2 for 14 yards. Roethlisberger turned to Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes for the bulk of the passing production. San Diego’s pressure kept the Steelers content with short routes, but “Big Ben” did target the duo deep down field 5 times, completing passes of 17, 14 and 19 yards. The last completion to Holmes helped set up a Steeler field goal with 3 seconds left in the first half.

KEY #5 was the place kicking of San Diego’s Nate Kaeding. In less than ideal conditions and on a torn up & muddy field, Kaeding would need to find his “accuracy” beyond 40 yards. He was only 2 of 5 entering the game from that distance. With Pittsburgh all but “clamping” down on opponent red zone trips, Kaeding would most assuredly be asked to finish drives from outside 40. The Chargers would go 1 of 2 on FG attempts for the day, with Kaeding missing from 42 yards in the 3rd quarter. Pittsburgh’s Jeff Reed would hit on 3 of 4 (all the offensive points), the last with 15 seconds to play and providing the necessary one point cushion. “Clutch” is the best description of Reed’s performance.