Justin Fields threw for a touchdown and ran for another and the Pittsburgh Steelers topped the Los Angeles Chargers 20-10 on Monday morning (AEST).
Pittsburgh improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2020 behind another efficient performance from Fields, who completed 25 of 32 passes for 245 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III midway through the fourth quarter.
Fields also added a five-yard touchdown run and is quietly making a compelling case that he should be the starter even after Russell Wilson’s injured calf heals.
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Fields has played largely mistake-free through three games, though he did throw his first interception of the season on a tipped pass in the third quarter.
Najee Harris ran for 70 yards, Chris Boswell kicked a pair of field goals and Pittsburgh’s defence racked up five sacks while handing the Chargers (2-1) their first loss.
Justin Herbert started on an achy right ankle and completed 12 of 18 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown before aggravating the injury midway through the third quarter.
The 26-year-old was attended to by the team’s medical staff and didn’t return.
Pittsburgh outgained Los Angeles 346-168 and held the ball for over 33 minutes, with the Chargers wilting in the final minutes as Herbert watched from the bench.
He was replaced by Taylor Heinicke, who did little in the face of a relentless pass rush as Pittsburgh pulled away thanks largely to star linebacker TJ Watt.
Heinicke was sacked twice on Los Angeles’ final possession.
The injury dramas didn’t stop with Herbert either as edge rusher Joey Bosa aggravated an existing hip issue on Pittsburgh’s first drive and did not return to the field.
But it will be Herbert’s ankle issue that could cause the biggest headache for the Chargers, with the $386 million franchise quarterback in doubt for a crucial divisional clash with defending Super Bowl champs Kansas City next week.
Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith was limited due to a groin injury in the only major concern for the undefeated franchise.