Steelers 7, Chargers 7

First quarter notes:

-- 12:59: Nice play-calling by the Chargers on their opening drive. They attacked the edges of the Steelers' defense with a throwback pass to Antonio Gates and a swing pass to Darren Sproles. That helped them get a single coverage matchup on the play on which Vincent Jackson scored on a 41-yard throw by Philip Rivers. Jackson out-maneuvered Ike Taylor for the ball on a deep post pattern. Taylor had no safety help.

-- 9:25: Ben Roethlisberger's quick kick was interesting, and effective, pinning San Diego at its 9 and helping to set up the punt that Santonio Holmes returned for the tying touchdown. As my colleague Buck Frank of the Altoona Mirror quipped, "Mitch Berger might be out of a job."

-- 1:15: The Steelers just announced that Holmes' punt return is the longest in postseason history, eclipsing Antwan Randle-El's 66-yard return Jan. 5, 2003, against Cleveland.

-- John Dudley