The Los Angeles Chargers and the Pittsburgh Steelers played a "Sunday Night Football" game in Week 10 that felt like a "Thursday Night Football" game due to its slow start. The Chargers' offense eventually picked it up and gave their dominant defense some help on the scoreboard.
The Steelers came into the game off an impressive win over the then-AFC-leading Indianapolis Colts. Pittsburgh had been lauded all season for how well the offensive line and quarterback Aaron Rodgers had been playing. All of that went out the window against the Chargers. It was a close game in the first half, but the Steelers mustered only 10 points in a game that they will have to forget quickly.
Here is more on how the Chargers' defense dominated the Steelers in the Week 10 blowout win.
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Chargers defensive dominance
- Points allowed: 10
- Yards allowed: 221
- Rush yards allowed: 73
- Pass yards allowed: 161
- Turnovers forced: 3
- Sacks: 3
Head coaches will always talk about wanting to dominate all three phases of the game, on offense, defense and special teams. The Chargers' defense dominated all three phases of that side of the ball, with the defensive line, linebackers and secondary. Los Angeles made itself known to the opposing quarterback with three sacks, tied for the second-most Rodgers has taken in a season.
The linebackers helped provide pressure on both Rodgers and the would-be pass catchers, including stepping up on third- and fourth-down attempts. The Steelers converted only two of their 11 third-down attempts and failed their lone fourth-down attempt.
The Chargers' secondary came away with two interceptions. One of them, Rodgers sailed the pass over DK Metcalf, but the other bounced off Calvin Austin III, who was wide open. While not necessarily Rodgers' fault, it still counts as a turnover for the game.
Off the receiver and into the hands of Donte Jackson for the Chargers’ 2nd INT of the night
— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2025
PITvsLAC on NBC
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The Chargers also had a safety, forced a turnover on downs in the redzone, and recovered a muffed punt. Los Angeles did allow a touchdown with three minutes left in the game, but that was largely garbage time with the game on the cusp of being out of reach. Even with the touchdown, 10 points is the fewest that the Steelers have scored in a game this season.
After the game, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin took time to give a shout out to the Los Angeles defense, saying, "gotta give credit to the LA Chargers, specifically [DC] Jesse Minter.” The 42-year-old Minter is in his second season as the Chargers' defensive coordinator.
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said about the defense, "[the defense] has just gotten better. Better tackling. Strong. Tough. Men. Faith in themselves, in their teammates and the system...very tough men, plus faith."
MORE: Updated AFC, NFC playoff pictures in Week 10