Steelers vs. Chargers live score, updates, highlights from NFL ‘Sunday Night Football’ game

Sunday night’s tilt between the Chargers and Steelers has potentially big-time playoff implications for the two sides. The Chargers sit at 5-4 and currently in the seventh and final playoff spot through 11 weeks of the season.

But the Chargers have struggled of late. Last week in a 27-20 loss to the Vikings, Brandon Staley’s squad mustered just 253 total yards of offense — the second time in four games they failed to reach the 300 mark. Los Angeles has also a negative point differential, having been outscored 228-219 so far this year. 

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The game against the Steelers is at SoFi Stadium, giving the Chargers a supposed homefield advantage, but they’re just 2-3 at home, including having lost their last two home matchups.

The Steelers, meanwhile currently sit at fifth in the playoff picture at 5-3-1 after tying Detroit a week ago. Longtime quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is expected to start for the Steelers after entering COVID protocols eight days ago, but passing them in time to get cleared.

Prior to the tie, Pittsburgh had won four in a row behind Roethlisberger and a strong defense. Rookie Najee Harris has also impressed, with nearly 1,000 yards from scrimmage so far this year, as well as six total touchdowns.

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The Alabama product is the team’s leading rusher and third-leading receiver and could shoulder more of the load as Pittsburgh’s offense will need to be on point without star defenders TJ Watt and Joe Haden.

Sporting News is tracking the live score, updates and highlights from ‘Sunday Night Football.’ Follow below for complete coverage.

MORE: Watch Steelers vs. Chargers live on fuboTV (7-day free trial)

Steelers vs. Chargers score

Steelers vs. Chargers updates, highlights

10:09 p.m.: The Steelers go three-and-out on their first drive to open the quarter. They punt it away and the Chargers take over at their 26.

10:04 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS. Austin Ekeler’s monster day continues. He peels off a 12-yard run and then hauls in a 17-yard touchdown pass. It’s his third touchdown of the game. Chargers 24, Steelers 10 with just under 12 minutes left in the third.

10:03 p.m.: Herbert goes to Allen again for 14 yards and the Chargers are in the red zone.

10:01 p.m.: This time Herbert has no problem hitting Allen. The two connect for 30 yards for an easy third-down conversion. Chargers now on the Steelers 43.

9:59 p.m.: It’s quickly third-and-13 to open the second half as Herbert’s pass to Keenan Allen falls short.

9:57 p.m.: The Chargers will receive the second half kick and take over at their 26 but there’s a flag on the play. The penalty goes against the Steelers and the Chargers move up 5 yards to their own 31.

Halftime: Chargers 17, Steelers 10

9:41 p.m.: FIELD GOAL CHARGERS. Dustin Hopkins nails a 30-yarder with two seconds left on the clock to give the Chargers a touchdown lead heading into halftime. Chargers 17, Steelers 10.

9:35 p.m.: The Chargers have been marching to close out the first half following the touchdown. Looking at first-and-10 from their own 41 with 27 seconds left.

9:25 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN STEELERS. Roethlisberger throws up a floater that hangs in the air and he finds Johnson again in the back of the end zone. Chargers 14, Steelers 10 with 1:09 left in the first half.

9:24 p.m.: Roethlisberger hits Diontae Johnson for 9 yards to the LA 10. Steelers in a position to score before the half.

9:23 p.m.: Following the touchdown, Roethlisberger executes a nice throw and helps the Steelers march down the field.

9:14 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS. It’s Austin Ekeler again, and the Chargers extend their lead. Chargers 14, Steelers 3 with 3:42 left in the first half.

9:12 p.m.: Another 18-yard run for Herbert followed by an 18-yard pass and it’s now second-and-goal from the Pittsburgh 10 for LA.

9:09 p.m.: The Chargers are looking at third-and-6 from their own 28 and Herbert scrambles and keeps it for 18 yards to the LA 46. Nearing midfield.

9:06 p.m.: Ekeler takes it for 10 yards and a first down as the Chargers now have a more manageable field.

9:03 p.m.: The Steelers go 73 yards on 12 plays but turn it over on downs at the Chargers’ 2 yard line. That’s where LA takes over to begin its next drive.

9:00 p.m.: Roethlisberger hits Chase Claypool for 37 yards to the LA 5. Steelers in prime position to retake the lead here early in the second.

8:59 p.m.: The second quarter starts with a 3 yard run and a 5 yard run. Now third-and-2 from the LA 44 for the Steelers.

End first quarter: Chargers 7, Steelers 3

8:53 p.m.: The Steelers’ drive following the touchdown is three plays, all of them to Najee Harris. Now third-and-6 from the Steelers’ 40 for Pittsburgh.

8:47 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN CHARGERS. No doubt about that one as Austin Ekeler runs straight ahead and barrels his way through for the score. Caps off a 12 play, 73-yard drive that chewed nearly six minutes of clock. Chargers 7, Steelers 3 with 2:09 left in the first.

8:46 p.m.: The Chargers punch it in but get hit for illegal formation. Drives them back 5 yards to the Pittsburgh 6 and a replay of first down.

8:44 p.m.: On third-and-3 from the Pittsburgh 21, Justin Herbert hits Williams again, this time for 17 yards. Brings up first-and-goal from the 4.

8:40 p.m.: Los Angeles converts on third-and-14 after hitting Mike Williams for 22 yards. That’s followed up by 5-yard catch by Jared Cook and an 11-yard grab by Keenan Allen. Chargers across midfield to the Steelers’ 39.

8:38 p.m.: The Chargers open their game at their own 27.

8:36 p.m.: FIELD GOAL STEELERS. Boswell nails the the 36 yarder and the game’s first points are on the board. Steelers 3, Chargers 0 with 8:33 left in the game.

8:34 p.m.: The Steelers go three-and-out in the red zone and will send Chris Boswell on to kick.

8:32 p.m.: After a gain of 16 yards and two defensive penalties on the Chargers, the Steelers are officially in the red zone for the first time tonight. Second-and-5 from the 18 upcoming.

8:28 p.m.: Roethlisberger hits tight end Pat Freiermuth to convert on third down once again. This time it goes for 4 yards and the Steelers are nearing midfield at their own 49.

8:27 p.m.: The game’s first penalty is against Los Angeles’ Joey Bosa, who gets hit for a neutral zone infraction Second-and-5 upcoming for the Steelers.

8:24 p.m.: Ben Roethlisberger’s first pass of the game is complete to Chase Claypool on third down and the Steelers convert. Gain of 8 on the play.

8:23 pm.: The Steelers start the game with the ball at their own 25.

Steelers vs. Chargers start time

• Date: Sunday, Nov. 21
• Kickoff: 8:20 p.m. EST | 5:20 p.m. PST

For the third straight week, the “Sunday Night Football” game will have a 5:20 p.m. PST local kickoff time, and for the second time in three weeks it will be in SoFi Stadium. As usual, it will begin at 8:20 p.m. EST.

How to watch Sunday Night Football

• TV channel (national): NBC
• Live Stream: Peacock, fuboTV

Steelers vs. Chargers will be broadcast nationally on NBC as the “Sunday Night Football” game in Week 11. The game will be called by Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth, with Michelle Tafoya on the sideline.

In Canada, viewers can watch Steelers vs. Chargers on DAZN, which includes every NFL game as part of a 30-day free trial.

Steelers schedule 2023

Chargers schedule 2023