Chargers tight end Antonio Gates had a fabulous of a return to the NFL. His team overall, however, was less-than-stellar on Monday Night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Gates caught his 100th career touchdown and moved past Hall of Famer Shanon Sharpe for 3rd place on the all-time tight ends receiving yards list (after the week those two had it seems rather timely) but the Steelers scored a TD on the final play of the game to pull off a comeback 24-20 win at Qualcomm Stadium.
After grabbing three passes, including the history-making 12 yard score, on their opening drive Gates and the Chargers offense sputtered against the always tough Pittsburgh defense.
Quarterback Philip Rivers dealt with more injuries on the offensive line. Left tackle Chris Hairston, who was in for starter King Dunlap, had to leave. Behind the stitched up line Rivers found a way to make just enough plays to win but there were a few hiccups along the way.
In the 3rd quarter Rivers tried to hit Malcom Floyd but Antwon Blake stepped. In front and took it 70 yards for a Steelers touchdown that put Pittsburgh up 10-7. Josh Lambo tied it with a field goal and in the 4th quarter things got nutty.
Rivers hit Gates for another score to put the Bolts up 17-10 but on the very next play Steelers quarterback Mike Vick, who had 87 yards passing to that point, dropped one in to Markus Wheaton's hands for a 72-yard score to tie it at 17.
San Diego's next drive stalled at the Pittsburgh 36 yard line. That's when rookie kicker Josh Lambo came up huge, drilling a 54-yard field goal to put the Bolts up 20-17.
Vick then led a 12-play, 80-yard drive that ended when running back Le'Veon Bell took a handoff and scored from the one yard line with three zeroes in the clock to give the Steelers a victory.
The Chargers fall to 2-3 on the year with a trip to Lambeau Field in Green Bay looming next Sunday.
