Chargers Outlast Steelers, 41-37: Analysis Of Wild Game

Pittsburgh PA

22 November, 2021

8:00 AM

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PITTSBURGH, PA — It had to have been a long plane ride from Los Angeles to Pittsburgh early Monday as the Steelers mounted a ferocious fourth-quarter comeback Sunday night, only to fall to the Chargers 41-37. Here's what NFL writers across the country thought about the game: Bryan DeArdo, CBS Sports: "Pittsburgh's defense could not overcome the absences of starters T.J.Watt, Joe Haden and Minkah Fitzpatrick. The unit allowed the Chargers to score on each of their first five possessions. The absence of Haden and Fitzpatrick was especially felt on Herbert's game-winning touchdown pass to Williams, who was wide open down the near sideline."Grant Gordon, NFL.com: "The Steelers defense wasn't without its big plays, but it allowed 533 yards and 41 points. It took a while, but the Pittsburgh offense had one of its better showings. An uncharacteristically bad day for the Steelers defense was the culprit in this one."Jake Aferiat, Sporting News: "The Chargers averaged 7.7 yards per play while amassing 533 yards of total offense, but Pittsburgh made two key plays late in the fourth quarter — a blocked punt and an interception — that allowed it to mount that late comeback and even briefly take the late lead."Brooke Pryor, ESPN: "Cam Heyward said there was nothing malicious behind the unnecessary roughness penalty when it looked like he punched Justin Herbert. Said his hand got caught and he was trying to get it freed when he got up. He apologized, said he wished he'd said something more to Herbert."Frank Schwab, Yahoo Sports: "The Steelers battled. They were down three defensive stars, and presumably with those players they wouldn't have given up four touchdowns to Austin Ekeler or the go-ahead score to Williams. It was a valiant effort for a shorthanded team. The Chargers are just happy they didn't have an epic collapse."Next: The Steelers visit the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday at 1 p.m. Be the first to know what's happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you'll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe.