The Chargers defense stifled the Steelers all night, allowing just one touchdown in what amounted to garbage time.
Without starting running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) and Najee Harris (Achilles), Kimani Vidal again carried the load in the Chargers’ backfield.
Keenan Allen became the Chargers’ all-time leader in receptions.
INGLEWOOD, CA — Black and yellow filled SoFi Stadium on Sunday night as Pittsburgh Steelers fans made their presence known.
The partial Steelers crowd couldn’t jumpstart Pittsburgh’s offense as the Los Angeles Chargers cruised to a 25-10 victory.
Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers offense struggled to find a rhythm throughout the contest. The Steelers didn’t convert a third down until the fourth quarter, while the Chargers padded their lead in the second half behind a stifling defensive performance.
Justin Herbert completed 20-of-33 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown in the win. He was sacked five times in what was a gritty performance by the QB.
USA TODAY Sports examines the winners and losers from Sunday night’s AFC battle:
WINNERS
Chargers defense
It was a dominant all-round performance from the Chargers defense, stifling the Steelers offense in the first half.
Khalil Mack sacked Aaron Rodgers for a safety in the first quarter. Rookie defensive back RJ Mickens picked off Rodgers in the second period.
The Chargers defense held the Steelers offense to just three first downs, 85 total yards and three points. Pittsburgh went 0-6 on third downs in the first half.
The three first downs by the Steelers in the first half were tied for the second fewest in the first half of Rodgers’ career, per the NBC broadcast.
Los Angeles’ defense held Pittsburgh to scoreless and to just 41 total yards in the third quarter.
The Steelers had only 221 yards of total offense in the loss.
The Chargers defense had three sacks and two interceptions.
Kimani Vidal over 100 yards from scrimmage
Without starting running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) and Najee Harris (Achilles), Vidal again carried the load in the Chargers’ backfield.
Vidal earned tough yards through a physical Steelers defense. He produced 108 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in the victory.
The second-year running back scampered for a 2-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that padded the Chargers’ lead to 22-3. The touchdown by all intents and purposes was the game-sealing touchdown. Steelers fans started to head toward the exits after Vidal’s TD.
Ladd McConkey
McConkey had the biggest reception of the game. Justin Herbert squeezed a pass to him in tight coverage. McConkey caught the football and raced down the field for a 58-yard catch and run.
Chargers RB Kimani Vidal reached the end zone two plays later.
McConkey finished with four catches for a season-high 107 yards and one touchdown.
Keenan Allen sets franchise receptions record
Allen surpassed Hall of Famer Antonio Gates (955) to become the Chargers’ all-time leader in receptions. Allen caught two passes in the game. He now has 956 career receptions in a Chargers uniform.
World Series champion Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts was in the house. He was shown on the jumbotron and received a loud applause. Betts and the Dodgers are fresh off winning the World Series.
Steelers fans
Los Angeles is a destination city for many NFL fans, and it was evident Sunday night. Steelers fans showed up in droves. From the naked eye, about 70% of the spectators inside SoFi Stadium were Steelers fans.
All the Steelers fans left unhappy as it was dreadful performance for Pittsburgh.
LOSERS
Steelers offense
The Steelers were a nightmare. Pittsburgh went 0-6 on third downs in the first half and only managed three total first downs. Even the reliable Steelers kicker Chris Boswell missed a 45-yard field goal as Pittsburgh trailed 12-3 at halftime.
Aaron Rodgers was held to 64 passing yards and one interception in the first half.
Pittsburgh’s performance went from bad to worse in the second half.
Steelers receiver Calvin Austin III dropped a ball and it ricocheted right into Chargers cornerback Donte Jackson’s hands in the fourth quarter. The Steelers’ Ke’Shawn Williams muffed a punt on Pittsburgh’s next possession.
The Steelers had three turnovers in the loss.
Rodgers tossed a few errant throws, but it was a lousy performance from the entire Steelers offense.
Rodgers completed 16-of-31 passes for 161 yards, to go with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Steelers’ third-down efficiency
The Steelers didn’t convert on a single third down in the first half. Pittsburgh couldn’t convert a third down in the third quarter.
The Steelers offense didn’t successfully convert a third down until garbage time late in the fourth quarter.
Pittsburgh finished 2-11 on third downs.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.