Steelers 14, Chargers 10
Halftime notes:
-- 12:56: Nice play by Aaron Smith coming off a block to stop Darren Sproles for a one-yard gain on third-and-1 and force a punt. While the Chargers are challenging the spot, a press box announcement points out that Holmes' punt return touchdown is the first allowed by San Diego in the postseason since Buffalo's Butch Byrd took one back in the 1965 AFL championship game. Replays confirm the call on the, costing Norv Turner a timeout.
-- 12:49: For some reason, Mewelde Moore has been back deep for the Chargers' past two punts. Maybe Holmes has a "one punt return touchdown per game" limit in his contract. Those Rooneys think of everything.
-- 7:48: In what appears to be a cagey move, Ben Roethlisberger furiously waves off the punt team on fourth-and-1 from midfield and goes under center, prompting confusion on the Chargers defense. San Diego burns its second timeout. The Steelers send in their punt team.
-- 7:25: Great effort by Vincent Jackson laying out for what was ruled on the field as a 43-yard catch and overturned by replay challenge. Good challenge by the Steelers, since the ball appeared to become dislodged when Jackson's hands hit the ground.
-- 5:05: A fake punt by the Steelers loses four yards near midfield, mainly because no one bother to block San Diego's Antwan Applewhite, who came up the middle basically untouched.
-- 2:00: The Chargers are getting great matchups with tight end Antonio Gates on linebackers. Gates now has five catches for 59 yards.
-- 1:56: Nate Kaeding hits a 42-yard field goal to put the Chargers up 10-7. the failed fake punt sets up San Diego's go-ahead score. We are on track for another 11-10 Steelers win. All the Steelers need are two second-half safeties.
-- :40: Willie Parker's three-yard run on a stretch play gives the Steelers a 14-10 lead. It was set up by a 41-yard pass from Roethlisberger to Hines Ward, who moved past Lynn Swann into second place on the franchise's all-time postseason receiving yards list on the play.
-- John Dudley