The Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers figured to be one of the better games this week. Both teams pride themselves on their grueling and physical nature. This looked like a rock fight for the ages.
Instead, the Steelers flat-out embarrassed themselves.
While the first half was ok but marred by injuries, the Steelers fell apart in the second half. The Chargers out-schemed this team and won with relative ease. It feels like a new low after how bad the Packers game was.
The Pittsburgh Steelers see a growing list of losers in loss to the Chargers
Steelers Loser: Aaron Rodgers
After half a season of steady play, Aaron Rodgers came back to earth this week. While the second interception wasn’t his fault, the first one was ugly. Add in a pathetic stat line, and this was easily his worst game in a Steelers uniform.
Steelers Winner: Jaylen Warren
The lone highlight on offense, Jaylen Warren, once again gave this team life even when things looked grim. He ran hard and served as a viable safety net as a receiver. No, his stats aren’t gaudy, but he continues to be one of the best and most consistent players on the team.
He had been making his mark as a low-risk, low-reward passer. He would do just enough to let the offense move the ball. This week, he did the opposite and was a hindrance to the team.
Steelers Loser: Drops
Let’s pile a couple of names together to save time, shall we? Jonnu Smith had a wide-open pass slip through his hands. He has had drop issues all year, and he certainly hasn’t been the weapon many hoped he would be.
READ MORE: Steelers overthought everything with the Darius Slay disaster
How about a pass going right through Calvin Austin’s hands and into Donte Jackson’s for an interception? Or Joey Porter Jr.'s dropped interception. And we can’t forget rookie Ke’Shawn Williams' muffed punt late to keep the ball in the Chargers' hands. Ugly all around.
Steelers Loser: Winning a rock fight
This game started off as a classic Steelers game. Low-scoring, stifling defense, and an offense that was doing enough to move the ball. Unfortunately, the Chargers adjusted while Pittsburgh kept spinning its wheels. This should have been a closer game, and potentially even a win, but Pittsburgh fell flat once again.
Steelers Winner: Alex Highsmith
The defense didn’t have a lot to write home about. That said, Alex Highsmith recorded another multi-sack game in back-to-back weeks. On a day filled with lows, Highsmith reminded everyone that he is still a good starter.
Steelers Loser: T.J. Watt
Sure, he got a garbage-time sack, but T.J. Watt was silent once again. He had one of the easiest layup matchups of the year in the banged-up Chargers' offensive line. Instead of being a game wrecker, he completely disappeared.
You have to start talking about regression given how hot and cold he has become.
Steelers Loser: Coaching
Tell me if you heard this one before: the Steelers got outcoached in a game that they should have won. The offense was flat, the defense wore down and got sloppy, and even special teams had a lot of blunders. Everyone is deserving of blame, and this has unfortunately become a recurring issue.