Chargers edge out depleted Steelers, take late lead to win 41-37

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — UPDATE end of game: The Chargers edge out a depleted Steelers to pull out the win late in the game. Final score: 41-37 Chargers.

UPDATE 2:09 left 4th quarter: The Chargers go 53 yards for the touchdown after Herbert hits Mike Williams. The extra point is good. Chargers take the lead again 41-37.

UPDATE 3:24 left 4th quarter: Boswell hits another FG, this time from 45 yards. Steelers take the late lead 37-34!

Stick around after the game as we break down all the action from the Steelers in LA on the Black & Gold Zone!

UPDATE 4:23 left 4th quarter: Roethlisberger finds Freiermuth for the touchdown and the Boswell XP is good. Game tied at 35 all!

UPDATE 11:35 left 4th quarter: After 4 straight failed pass attempts from the 2 yard line, a pass interference call bailed out the Steelers. A new set of downs and the Steelers get into the end zone with Najee Harris. Steelers pull within a touchdown 27-20.

UPDATE 12:33 left 4th quarter: The Steelers block a punt and the ball goes out of bounds at the 2 yard line. The Steelers will take over on the edge of the goal line!

UPDATE 14:10 left 4th quarter: The Steelers do get some points off a Boswell FG. Score now 27-13 Chargers.

UPDATE end of 3rd quarter: The Steelers have the ball and are driving. The score remains 27-10 Chargers at the end of the 3rd quarter.

UPDATE 3:44 left 3rd quarter: The Chargers add another FG to their lead as the kick is good from 41-yards out. Chargers lead 27-10.

Stick around after the game as we break down why the Steelers are struggling, right here on the Black & Gold Zone.

UPDATE 11:50 left 3rd quarter: The Chargers are just moving the ball at will. Ekeler scores his third of the night, this time from 17 yards out, as the Steelers defense fails to wrap up. The extra point is good. Chargers lead 24-10, capping a 70 yard, 6 play drive.

UPDATE 6 seconds left 2nd quarter: The Chargers add another 3 points to their total after a 31-yard field goal split the uprights. Chargers lead 17-10 going into halftime.

UPDATE 1:09 left 2nd quarter: The Steelers finally find the end zone as Roethlisberger hooks up with Diontae Johnson from 10 yards out. The extra point from Boswell is good. The Steelers cut the lead to 14-10 under two minutes left in the first half.

The Chargers will get the ball coming out of half time.

Update 3:42 left 2nd quarter: The Chargers drive 98 yards on 12 plays as Ekeler takes it in for his second touchdown of the night. The extra point was good. The Chargers extend their lead 14-3 over the Steelers.

The Steelers were unable to score from the 2 yard line and turned the ball over on downs.

Steelers offensive lineman JC Hassenauer has been ruled out with a shoulder injury.

UPDATE End of 1st quarter: Chargers lead 7-3. Steelers have the ball.

UPDATE 2:09 left 1st quarter: The Chargers take the lead as Austin Ekeler runs it in to the end zone from 6 yards out. The score caps a 12 play, 73 yard drive. The extra point was good. This marks the first time this season the Steelers have given up an opening drive touchdown.

The Chargers lead 7-3.

UPDATE 8:33 left 1st quarter: The Steelers are on the board first after a Chris Boswell field goal is good from 36 yards out. Steelers lead 3-0.

GAME PREVIEW:

Perhaps you could call this game the 2021 version of the COVID-19 Bowl.

The Steelers were as indirectly affected by COVID-19 as any team in the NFL a year ago, having their schedule completely shifted around because of outbreaks with the Titans and Ravens.

But by and large, they pretty much avoided an outbreak of their own on their roster.

This season has not been as kind. Ben Roethlisberger missed last week’s disappointing 16-16 tie against the Lions after being placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 List. And Minkah Fitzpatrick went on the list Monday after testing positive for the virus.

The Steelers (5-3-1) will have Roethlisberger back for their game Sunday night here at SoFi Stadium against the Chargers (5-4), but hold no such hope for Fitzpatrick.

The Chargers, meanwhile, are dealing with COVID-19 some issues of their own.

Star defensive end Joey Bosa was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 List Tuesday along with starting defensive tackle Jerry Tillery and his backup Christian Covington. Starting linebacker Drue Tranquill also is on the list, though Bosa, who had a close contact and was not vaccinated was activated Saturday in time to play Sunday.

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