Mattie T’s In-game blog: (Divisional Playoffs: Chargers vs. Steelers)

So far, road teams have gone 3-0 this weekend & have won the last FIVE Divisional Playoff games. Can San Diego keep this streak going?

Looks like the Week 11 weather conditions will repeat itself, as it is snowing at Heinz Field!

1st quarter:

Pittsburgh won the coin toss & will defer.

Philip Rivers with a play-action fake on 1st down & hits Antonio Gates for a 21-yard reception.

Darren Sproles is even causing problems for the league’s top-ranked defense, as he bursts for a 12-yard run on a screen pass.

On the very next play, Philip Rivers goes play-action pass & hits Vincent Jackson over the middle for a 41-yard touchdown! Great diving grab by Jackson, who makes his 1st catch of the postseason. It took San Diego just 2 minutes to score on the league’s top-ranked defense, which has stunned everyone in attendance at Heinz Field.

Kaeding’s extra point gives San Diego an early 7-0 lead.

Jackson does draw a 15-yard penalty for his end zone celebration, so Pittsburgh will start their 1st drive of the game on their own 42-yard line.

Nice 1st down run by Willie Parker, who runs it 12 yards for a Steeler first down.

Another good 8-yard run by Parker, which is good for a Pittsburgh 1st down at San Diego’s 36-yard line.

Hines Ward makes a catch for a short gain, but fumbles & actually tapped it out of bounds with his left hand.  Smart play by the veteran receiver.

Pittsburgh will go for it on 4th & 8 from San Diego’s 34-yard line, as Heinz Field is known to have one of the worst playing surfaces in the NFL.

Nice trickery, as Ben Roethlisberger makes a squib kick with his left leg & actually pins San Diego inside their own 10-yard line.

Good job by the Steelers’ defense, as they force a 3 & out.

Santonio Holmes then takes Mike Scifres’ punt & returns it 68 yards for a Pittsburgh touchdown! But you know the best part about that play?  Holmes took out a cameraman in the end zone afterwards…i hope that guy wasn’t a Charger fan. 🙂

Jeff Reed’s extra point is good, which ties the game 7-7 with 7:41 left in the 1st quarter.

First big penalty of the day goes against San Diego’s Jacob Hester, who is called for a facemask penalty on 1st down.

Key 3rd & 7 for the Chargers, as Rivers connects with Antonio Gates on a 9-yard catch.

Rivers gets sacked for the 1st time today, as Lamar Woodley brings him down.

Chargers call a draw play for Sproles on 3rd & 25, but Pittsburgh sniffs it out as it goes for no gain.

Ben Roethlisberger tries his first deep ball of the day to Nate Washington, who slips as the ball hits the ground untouched.

San Diego blitzes on 3rd down & sacks Roethlisberger. That’s a Ron Rivera led defense for you!

Good 1st down run for Darren Sproles, which is good for 8 yards.

Sproles then makes Larry Foote miss & gains additional yardage. Maybe it was a blessing that LaDainian Tomlinson can’t go today.

That play ends the 1st quarter, as the game is tied 7-7.

2nd quarter:

Antonio Gates makes a 9 yard catch & jaws with James Harrison. I wonder if the two are discussing their alma mater (Kent State)’s chances of making the NCAA Tournament. 🙂

Darren Sproles’ 3rd yard run appears to be just short of a 1st down.

On 4th & 1, Norv Turner decides to bring on the punt team.

Turner does challenge the spot, but the play stands.

Willie Parker is looking good early, as he has 7 carries for 41 yards.

To this point, Pittsburgh just has 8 yards passing as they are relying on the run.

Ben Roethlisberger completes a 3rd & 8 pass to Carey Davis, who is just short of a 1st down.

Steelers line up to go for it on 4th & 1, but the Chargers call a defensive timeout.

Mitch Berger just misses pinning San Diego on their own 1-yard line, as the ball rolls into the end zone for a touchback.

Philip Rivers almost throws an interception to Ike Taylor, but it’s batted down to the ground.

Rivers escapes a blitz & slings it downfield to Vincent Jackson, who makes a great diving catch.

However, Mike Tomlin challenged it & won, as the catch was ruled incomplete since Jackson did not have full control of the ball as it hit the ground.

Steelers try a reverse with Santonio Holmes, but Shaun Phillips makes a great read & brings down Holmes for a short gain.

Roethlisberger tries to set up a screen pass to Davis, but Quentin Jammer makes a great open-field tackle which leaves Pittsburgh short of the first down.

Steelers try a fake on 4th down, but San Diego is not fooled by it & stops the play, which forces a loss of downs.

Antonio Gates has come up huge so far in this game, as he just caught a 15-yard pass from Rivers for a Charger 1st down.

Steelers read the draw play to Sproles, as Brent Keisel tackles the 5’6 speedster in the backfield.

Sproles is then hit hard by Lamar Woodley after a short gain on a catch.

3rd & 12 at the Pittsburgh 32. Rivers dumps it off to Gates, who gets 8 yards which will set up a 42-yard field goal attempt by Nate Kaeding as we are at the 2-minute warning.

Kaeding’s kick is good, which gives San Diego a 10-7 lead with 1:56 left in the half.

Nice grab by Santonio Holmes, who connects on a 15-yard pass from Roethlisberger. Mewelde Moore then follows with a 9-yard catch, which sets up 2nd & 1 at the San Diego 42-yard line with 1:13 remaining before halftime.

Shaun Phillips is injurede on Moore’s catch, so the Chargers are forced to use their 3rd & final timeout of the half.

Roethlisberger then overthrows an open Heath Miller, which now sets up 3rd & 1.

Good effort by Gary Russell, who twists his way for a Pittsburgh first down. Steelers use their 1st timeout with 1:06 left on the clock.

Roethlisberger overthrows Holmes on 1st down, as he has just 48 yards passing so far.

Heath Miller’s 13-yard catch is brought back, due to an offensive penalty on the Steelers.

Roethlisberger then pump fakes before connecting with Hines Ward on a 41-yard reception that goes all the way down to the Chargers’ 3-yard line to set up 1st & Goal.

One play later, Willie Parker runs in for a 3-yard touchdown. Parker has been effective in the 1st half with 10 carries for 52 yards & the go-ahead score.

Jeff Reed’s extra point is good, which gives Pittsburgh a 14-10 lead with 40 seconds remaining before the half.

Chargers appear to be playing it safe, as they’re content on going into the locker room trailing by just 4 points.

Total net yards are dead even at 143, but San Diego has just 15 yards rushing in the 1st half. If they’re going to win this game, it most likely rests on the right arm of Philip Rivers.

3rd quarter:

Pittsburgh will receive to begin the 2nd half.

Another big run by Willie Parker, who bounces to his right & picks up 13 yards.

Nice diving catch by Santonio Holmes, which goes for 10 yards & a Steeler 1st down.

Ben Roethlisberger pump fakes & goes downfield for Holmes, who JUST missed making a great diving catch which would’ve set up 1st & Goal.

Another successful 3rd down conversion, this time a 17-yard pass from Roethlisberger to Nate Washington.

3rd down once again, as Roethlisberger goes to Heath Miller for 18 yards & another Pittsburgh 1st down.

Roethlisberger fakes a pitch to Parker & hits Miller for a 8-yard touchdown.

Reed’s extra point gives Pittsburgh a 21-10 lead, which is their biggest of the game with 7:04 left in the 3rd quarter.

Darren Sproles gives San Diego a much-needed boost, as his 63-yard kickoff return will set up shop for the Chargers at the Steelers’ 23 yard line.

Doesn’t last long, as Rivers’ first pass is tipped at the line of scrimmage & intercepted by Pittsburgh’s James Harrison.

Norv Turner challenges the play, as he doesn’t think that Harrison had full control of the football.

Call stands, so San Diego loses a timeout & posession of the football.

Pittsburgh calls on a reverse to Holmes, which is good for a 1st down. Nice block by Ben Roethlisberger on the play!

Parker turns the corner & runs 13 yards for a 1st down, but a holding call on Heath Miller negates the play.

Pittsburgh has dominated the time of possession in this 3rd quarter, while San Diego is desperately looking to get their defense off the field.

Chargers FINALLY get a 3rd down stop, as we are at the 2:30 mark in the third quarter.

WOW!!! The ball bounced off Erik Weddle’s helmet & is returned by William Gay for a touchdown. It’s not going to count, BUT Pittsburgh does get the ball back inside San Diego’s 25-yard line.

Roethlisberger then hits Hines Ward for a 19-yard catch , but Cletis Gordon shoves Ward out of bounds which draws a flag for a personal foul. Looks like frustration is starting to mount in for the Chargers.

Chargers do make a big defensive stop after stuffing Gary Russell on 3rd & Goal, which will force Mike Tomlin into making a big 4th down decision.

That will end the 3rd quarter with Pittsburgh leading 21-10 & looking to put the knockout blow to San Diego’s season.

4th quarter:

San Diego does indeed make the stop, as Pittsburgh just stopped just short of punching it in for a touchdown. Now, Philip Rivers & the Chargers’ offense will have to drive 99 yards to put their team back in the game.

Jacob Hester gives the Chargers good breathing room, as his 11-yard catch is good for a 1st down.

Philip Rivers just avoids being sacked in the end zone for a safety by Lamar Woodley, but the ball is spotted at the 1-yard line.

Rivers overthrows Gates on 3rd down, which will force San Diego to punt it from their own end zone.

Pittsburgh will get it at midfield with 13:41 remaining in the game.

Roethlisberger again tries to go deep to Nate Washington, which is incomplete BUT does draw a flag.

Pass interference is called against Erik Weddle, who has had a really rough 2nd half.

That sets up the Steelers with 1st & Goal at the Chargers’ 1-yard line, with Gary Russell cutting left & scoring for the touchdown. It’s looking like Pittsburgh will avoid the road sweep & will become the only home team to win during Divisional Weekend.

Steelers now lead 28-10 & have scored 21 unanswered points on the Chargers. 12:52 left for the game.

San Diego almost has to abandon the run totally in hopes to come back. Rivers gets taken down by Brett Keisel, who gets the 3rd Steeler sack today.

Rivers is able to scramble & finds Brandon Manumaleuma, who makes a couple a nice moves to pick up a 1st down.

Darren Sproles then makes an 11-yard catch, which now puts the Chargers at midfield.

On 3rd & 10, Rivers connects with Chris Chambers for a 15-yard catch & another 1st down.

Nice juggling catch by Chambers, who holds on for a 14-yard catch.

Double bonus for San Diego, as Troy Polamalu is penalized for roughing the passer on Rivers.

Rivers then hits Legedu Naanee on a 4-yard slant pass for a Chargers touchdown. Kaeding’s extra point now puts San Diego down 28-17 with 9:09 left in the game.

Roethsliberger is taking more downfield shots in the 2nd half, but his pass to Nate Washington is ruled incomplete as Washington didn’t have full possession of the football.

Nice shoestring tackle by Cletis Gordon, who stops Nate Washington 4 yards short of a 1st down.

Big catch by Hines Ward, as Pittsburgh has done very well today on 3rd down conversions.

Willie Parker continues his big day with a 27-yard dash down to the Chargers’ 28-yard line. For the game, Parker has 122 yards on 24 carries.

Mewelde Moore then picks up a 1st down, as San Diego has been dominated in both rushing yardage & time of possession.

2 plays later, Parker cuts right & runs 17 yards for a Steeler touchdown. Parker has 146 yards now, which is the best single-game effort so far in the playoffs. Reed’s extra point is good, which gives Pittsburgh a 35-17 lead with 4:11 left. Looking like there will be a third game between the Steelers & Ravens next week, with the winner advancing to Tampa for Super Bowl XLIII.

Rivers is sacked for the 4th time today..this one is courtesy of James Harrison, aka Mr. Defensive Player of the Year.

Byron Leftwich is in the game now, as the Steelers will preserve Ben Roethlisberger for next Sunday’s AFC Championship Game.

Nice downfield throw by Leftwich, but Limus Sneed drops it as he falls to the ground.

Good effort by Vincent Jackson, but Ike Taylor rips the ball away from him out of bounds.

Mike Tomlin is still coaching hard, as he decides to challenge the call on a possible interception by Taylor that was overturned.

Play stands, so it’s an incomplete pass.

Rivers hits Darren Sproles for a 62-yard touchdown, as San Diego has not given up on their chances of a comeback. Nate Kaeding’s extra point makes it a 35-24 Steeler lead with 1:53 left. Sproles’ touchdown came at the two-minute mark, so the Chargers are about to attempt an onsides kick.

After an onsides call, Scifres’ kick goes into the arms of Gary Russell.

So it’s official, Baltimore & Pittsburgh for a berth to Super Bowl XLIII in next Sunday’s AFC Championship Game. Can the Ravens do the unthinkable & beat three division-winning teams on the road to get to Tampa? We’ll know their fate next weekend.

Game ball goes to Willie Parker, who rushes for a career playoff-high 146 yards on 27 carries & scored 2 touchdowns.

My in-game blogs will return for both the NFC & AFC Championship Game next Sunday!