Steelers’ patchwork defense shredded, but nearly bests Bolts
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Only 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. 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. That’s the most given up by Pittsburgh’s proud defense since 2013. Yet this beleaguered group still stepped up and made two huge plays in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter to nearly push Pittsburgh to an improbable win.