— Inglewood, Calif. — Justin Herbert passed for 220 yards and one touchdown and the Los Angeles Chargers relied on a stingy defense to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 25-10 on Sunday night. The victory was Los Angeles’ third straight and came after the Chargers had recovered from a midseason skid. Pittsburgh managed only one touchdown late in the game; Aaron Rodgers finished 16 of 31 for 161 yards with two interceptions and three sacks.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Chargers 25, Steelers 10 — LA extended its winning streak to three games.
- Justin Herbert: 220 passing yards, 1 TD, 20-of-33 passing, took five sacks and ran for 19 yards on five carries.
- Aaron Rodgers: 16-of-31, 161 yards, 1 TD (27-yard to Roman Wilson with 2:57 left), 2 INTs, 3 sacks.
- Kimani Vidal: 25 carries, 95 yards and a 2-yard rushing TD — his second rushing TD of the season.
- Cameron Dicker connected from 32, 59 and 42 yards; the 59-yarder tied the Chargers’ team record for longest field goal.
- Defensive highlights: safety on an early fumble in the end zone; Chargers forced multiple turnovers and kept Rodgers scoreless until late.
- Injuries: Steelers CB Darius Slay (concussion evaluation) did not return; Chargers DL Teair Tart and TE Oronde Gadsden left with injuries in the third quarter (Gadsden knee).
Background
The Chargers opened the 2025 season with three straight wins over AFC West rivals but stumbled through a stretch that saw them lose three of four and drop from first place. Los Angeles regrouped with back-to-back victories over Minnesota and Tennessee, entering Sunday night with momentum and a roster gaining cohesion on both sides of the ball.
Pittsburgh arrived at SoFi Stadium riding a recent victory over Indianapolis and sitting atop the AFC North at 5-4, but the Steelers have dropped three of four games overall. The offense had been inconsistent on third downs entering the matchup, and the team leaned on veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers to steady a unit integrating younger receivers and a defense that has struggled at times this season.
Main Event
The Chargers struck first when Rodgers fumbled and was tackled in the end zone by Khalil Mack for a safety in the opening quarter — LA’s first safety since Oct. 23, 2022. Later, an interception of Rodgers by Chargers rookie RJ Mickens led to a 15-yard Herbert touchdown pass to Ladd McConkey late in the second quarter, pushing Los Angeles ahead 12-3 at halftime.
Cameron Dicker supplied three field goals (32, 59 and 42 yards) in the game; his 59-yarder in the third tied the franchise record for longest field goal and extended the Chargers’ lead to 15-3. Dicker narrowly missed a 55-yard try later that quarter when the kick struck the left upright.
Pittsburgh’s offense struggled to sustain drives, going 0-for-9 on third downs before finally converting on a late scoring drive. Trailing 15-3 early in the fourth, Rodgers’ string of incompletions on a crucial possession ended with a turnover on downs after a well-timed break-up by Chargers corner Cam Hart.
The Chargers answered immediately: Herbert’s 58-yard pass to McConkey set up Kimani Vidal’s 2-yard touchdown run, increasing the margin to 22-3. Vidal finished with 25 carries for 95 yards and the short touchdown that effectively put the game out of reach before Pittsburgh’s lone offensive TD near the end.
Analysis & Implications
Los Angeles’ win underlined a balance building between a confident passing attack and an opportunistic defense. Herbert’s line — 220 yards and a TD — was efficient enough when combined with Dicker’s range and the ground work provided by Vidal; the Chargers converted defensive momentum into points at key moments.
Pittsburgh’s offense demonstrated growing pains. Rodgers’ two interceptions and three sacks highlighted protection and decision-making issues; being held without a touchdown until late magnified difficulties on third down, where the team went 0-for-9 before its final TD drive. Those conversion problems will be a focal point for the Steelers’ coaching staff ahead of their next game.
For the Chargers, the victory offers short-term validation of their adjustments after the midseason slump. Special teams made a decisive contribution — Dicker’s long kicks flipped field position — and the defense’s ability to force turnovers and register a safety reduces pressure on the offense to outscore opponents in shootouts.
Looking ahead, Pittsburgh must address third-down efficiency and turnover avoidance if it hopes to stay atop the AFC North. Los Angeles will travel to Jacksonville next Sunday; sustaining pressure on opposing quarterbacks and maintaining red-zone efficiency will be key to extending their streak.
Comparison & Data
| Stat | Chargers | Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 25 | 10 |
| Leading passer | Justin Herbert — 220 yards, 1 TD | Aaron Rodgers — 161 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing (notable) | Kimani Vidal — 95 yards, 1 TD (25 carries) | — |
| Sacks | Chargers recorded multiple sacks; Herbert took 5 | Rodgers sacked 3 times |
| Field goals | Cameron Dicker — 32, 59, 42 yards | Chris Boswell — 59 yards |
The table highlights the individual plays and kicking performances that shaped the scoreboard. LA’s special teams (three made field goals, including a 59-yarder) plus the defense’s scoring and turnover creation produced a multi-phase victory. Pittsburgh’s scoring leaned on a long field goal and a late touchdown drive rather than sustained offensive production.
Reactions & Quotes
Paraphrased postgame: the Chargers’ coach credited the defense for setting the tone and making decisive plays that swung momentum in LA’s favor.
Chargers head coach — postgame paraphrase
Paraphrased postgame: Pittsburgh’s coaching staff acknowledged third-down failures and turnovers as key issues to correct before their next matchup.
Steelers coaching staff — postgame paraphrase
Paraphrased comment from a team source: Cameron Dicker’s range and consistency at SoFi Stadium continue to be a reliable scoring asset for the Chargers.
Team special teams staff — paraphrased
Unconfirmed
- Status and recovery timelines for Chargers TE Oronde Gadsden and DL Teair Tart were not detailed in the postgame reports and remain pending further evaluation.
- Longer-term implications for Pittsburgh CB Darius Slay after a concussion evaluation are unknown; availability for next Sunday’s game is not confirmed.
- Any roster moves or injury-list designations resulting from injuries sustained in this game have not been announced at the time of this report.
Bottom Line
The Chargers’ 25-10 win in Inglewood combined a controlled offensive performance from Justin Herbert with timely defensive plays and field-goal range from Cameron Dicker. Los Angeles converted turnovers and special teams execution into a multi-phase victory that extended its win streak to three games.
Pittsburgh left SoFi Stadium with clear takeaways: third-down production and turnover avoidance must improve if the Steelers are to remain competitive atop the AFC North. Both teams face divisional matchups next Sunday that will quickly test how they respond to this game’s lessons.