Steelers defense shredded in loss to Chargers

Only INGLEWOOD, CALIF. — one Steelers defense during coach Mike Tomlin’s 15-year tenure ever gave up more yards than the patchwork group that got shredded by Justin Herbert and the Chargers on Sunday night.

Los Angeles scored on its first five drives and took a 17-point lead into the fourth quarter. By the time the Chargers were done, they had racked up 533 yards — the most given up by Pittsburgh’s proud defense since 2013, and one of the worst performances in the history of a franchise founded in 1933.

Yet this beleaguered group still stepped up and made two huge plays in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter to facilitate an improbable rally by the Steelers (5-4-1). Thanks to Cameron Sutton’s diving interception and a gritty fourth-down stop 53 seconds apart, Pittsburgh turned a seven-point deficit into a threepoint lead with 3:24 to play.

But when asked to get one last stop, the Steelers’ defense gave up 75 yards and the winning touchdown in three regrettable plays.

“I know we got the lead late, but man, we didn’t get off the field, and that’s going to bug me,” said Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, who deflected a pass about 30 feet in the air to a diving Sutton with 4:36 left.

The 41-37 loss will loom large in the Steelers’ defensive record books, yet they hope it will be a growing experience for the youngsters and backups forced into action during Pittsburgh’s first loss since Oct. 3.

Ben Roethlisberger’s return from a bout with COVID-19 couldn’t make up for the Steelers’ absences on defense. Pittsburgh was missing star edge rusher T.J. Watt (hip and knee); starting safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (reserve/COVID-19 list); and starting cornerback Joe Haden (foot).