STEELERS HOLD OFF LATE CHARGERS RALLY TO EARN VICTORY

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had trouble putting together a consistent, sixty minute effort so far this season.  That was the case again on Sunday, as the defending Superbowl Champions blew a 28-0 home field lead to the San Diego Chargers but managed to do what was necessary to ultimately prevail 38-28.  Both teams are now 2-2 on the season, but there is still some concern in the Steel City as their team looks nothing like the NFL champions of a year ago.

NFL football betting enthusiasts who backed the Steelers as -5’ home favorites were eventually rewarded financially for their investment, but not without some anxious moments.  Improbably, it was the Steelers’ first ATS victory of the season and left Pittsburgh with a 1-3 record against the money.  The loss dropped the Chargers to the same 1-3 record against the pointspread.  The 64 combined points sailed OVER the posted total of 43.  The Steelers evened their O/U record at 2-2 while San Diego played their third OVER verdict in four games.

Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t gloating after the hard fought victory, but took some solace from the fact that his team was able to finish:

“We haven't been able to finish, but this week we were able to.”

Pittsburgh also got a lift from running back Rashard Mendenhall, who had a career best 165 yards rushing and two touchdowns.  Inserted into the lineup in place of injured Willie Parker, Mendenhall made the best of his opportunity.  He’d been in coach Mike Tomlin’s doghouse for not having a good grasp of the playbook, but he said that he didn’t have a chip on his shoulder coming into the contest:

"I didn't have a chip on my shoulder. He challenged me and it was a learning experience. I always had confidence in myself. I knew it was only a matter of time before I got an opportunity."

Chargers’ coach Norv Turner had this assessment of his team’s performance:

"They came out and played about as well as they could play in the first half. Obviously from our standpoint we'd like to think we could do some things to handle that. But we weren't able to respond the way I'd like to have seen us."

The Steelers will step down in class next Sunday as they travel to the Motor City to face the lowly Detroit Lions.  Pittsburgh is a -10’ road favorite with the total set at 43’.  They’ll return home for their next two games, hosting the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings.  The Chargers will be off this week, and after their bye will be back in action hosting the resurgent Denver Broncos.  They’ll play at Kansas City on October 25th followed by a home game against the hated Oakland Raiders.