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The Pittsburgh Steelers and second year quarterback Ben Roethlisberger traveled to San Diego for a Monday night showdown on October 10th, 2005. It was a match-up between Roethlisberger, and fellow legend, Drew Brees.
The Steelers had just lost a heartbreaker to New England the previous week for their first loss of the young season. It had come after Roethlisberger led the Steelers down the field to tie it with under 90 seconds left, before the Patriots would kick the winning field goal as time expired. So the Steelers traveling to the west coast after an emotional loss, it was hard to know what to expect.
Scoreless through the first quarter, the Steelers would finally open it up in the second. Roethlisberger would score on a 7-yard scramble to put the Steelers ahead 7-0. On the next drive, Brees would be intercepted by the then relatively unknown linebacker, James Harrison. Harrison would have one of his first highlights as he hurdled Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson after his interception.
A roughing the passer penalty on San Diego on first down would put the Steelers in business. Roethlisberger would hand off 7 times, and on the 7th carry, Jerome Bettis would find his way into the endzone for his first touchdown of the season. The Steelers led 14-0.
Darren Sproles would return the ensuing kickoff 48 yards to set up the Chargers for their first points of the game as time ticked down in the second quarter. Brees would find Antonio Gates for a touchdown to cut the lead to 14-7 at the half.
** ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS OF OCT. 22-23 ** San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson rushes against Pittsburgh Steelers defender Troy Polamalu (43) during their game Monday Oct. 10, 2005 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
The Steelers offense wouldn’t be able to get anything going in the third quarter. They managed three punts, and a combined 45 yards on 12 third quarter plays. The Chargers would connect on two field goals to cut the lead to 14-13. Shortly into the fourth quarter, the Chargers would take the lead with a third consecutive field goal. It was 16-14 Chargers.
Steelers return man Quincy Morgan would finally wake up the Steelers offense. His 37-yard kickoff return set the Steelers up with good field position at their own 38. Roethlisberger would complete two passes to Hines Ward for 46 yards, and the Steelers were in business. Roethlisberger would find Heath Miller on the very next play for a 16-yard touchdown. The Steelers trailed for 71 seconds. It was now 21-16.
The Chargers weren’t done yet, though. Another solid return by Sproles would put the Chargers near their own 40. Brees and company would conduct a 5-minute and :48 second drive that would conclude with a Tomlinson touchdown run. They would attempt a two-point conversion, but it was unsuccessful. 22-21 Chargers.
Roethlisberger and Bettis would then take control of the game, as they began the drive with a little over 4 minutes left. After bleeding the clock down with short passes, and running plays, Roethlisberger would drop back to pass and find Antwaan Randle El for a 9-yard completion to the San Diego 29-yard line with 65 seconds left. But Roethlisberger would take a hit to the knee on the play from Louis Castillo and have to exit the game. The injury would keep him out for the next four weeks. Backup Charlie Batch would finish the game with three straight hand offs to Bettis.
Jeff Reed would give the Steelers the lead on a 40-yard field goal with :10 seconds left. The Steelers would improve to 3-1, and first place in the AFC North.
WATCH THE ENTIRE GAME HERE.
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The Steelers had just lost a heartbreaker to New England the previous week for their first loss of the young season. It had come after Roethlisberger led the Steelers down the field to tie it with under 90 seconds left, before the Patriots would kick the winning field goal as time expired. So the Steelers traveling to the west coast after an emotional loss, it was hard to know what to expect.
Scoreless through the first quarter, the Steelers would finally open it up in the second. Roethlisberger would score on a 7-yard scramble to put the Steelers ahead 7-0. On the next drive, Brees would be intercepted by the then relatively unknown linebacker, James Harrison. Harrison would have one of his first highlights as he hurdled Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson after his interception.
A roughing the passer penalty on San Diego on first down would put the Steelers in business. Roethlisberger would hand off 7 times, and on the 7th carry, Jerome Bettis would find his way into the endzone for his first touchdown of the season. The Steelers led 14-0.
Darren Sproles would return the ensuing kickoff 48 yards to set up the Chargers for their first points of the game as time ticked down in the second quarter. Brees would find Antonio Gates for a touchdown to cut the lead to 14-7 at the half.
** ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS OF OCT. 22-23 ** San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson rushes against Pittsburgh Steelers defender Troy Polamalu (43) during their game Monday Oct. 10, 2005 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
The Steelers offense wouldn’t be able to get anything going in the third quarter. They managed three punts, and a combined 45 yards on 12 third quarter plays. The Chargers would connect on two field goals to cut the lead to 14-13. Shortly into the fourth quarter, the Chargers would take the lead with a third consecutive field goal. It was 16-14 Chargers.
Steelers return man Quincy Morgan would finally wake up the Steelers offense. His 37-yard kickoff return set the Steelers up with good field position at their own 38. Roethlisberger would complete two passes to Hines Ward for 46 yards, and the Steelers were in business. Roethlisberger would find Heath Miller on the very next play for a 16-yard touchdown. The Steelers trailed for 71 seconds. It was now 21-16.
The Chargers weren’t done yet, though. Another solid return by Sproles would put the Chargers near their own 40. Brees and company would conduct a 5-minute and :48 second drive that would conclude with a Tomlinson touchdown run. They would attempt a two-point conversion, but it was unsuccessful. 22-21 Chargers.
Roethlisberger and Bettis would then take control of the game, as they began the drive with a little over 4 minutes left. After bleeding the clock down with short passes, and running plays, Roethlisberger would drop back to pass and find Antwaan Randle El for a 9-yard completion to the San Diego 29-yard line with 65 seconds left. But Roethlisberger would take a hit to the knee on the play from Louis Castillo and have to exit the game. The injury would keep him out for the next four weeks. Backup Charlie Batch would finish the game with three straight hand offs to Bettis.
Jeff Reed would give the Steelers the lead on a 40-yard field goal with :10 seconds left. The Steelers would improve to 3-1, and first place in the AFC North.
WATCH THE ENTIRE GAME HERE.
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
