The Los Angeles Chargers scored 26 second-half points to shock the Pittsburgh Steelers 33-30 Sunday night at Heinz Field.
Kicker Michael Badgley kicked a game-winning, 29-yard field goal with no time remaining. The Chargers are now 9-3 and have won eight of their last nine games.
Philip Rivers went 26-of-36 for 299 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Keenan Allen caught 14 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown, but contributions came from up and down the roster.
After trailing 23-7 at halftime, rookie running back Justin Jackson had 82 total yards and a touchdown, all in the second half. With a knack for the big play, cornerback Desmond King scored a second-half touchdown on a 73-yard punt return.
The Chargers opened the game with a promising drive that included three catches from Allen for 42 yards. On a fourth-and-one from Pittsburgh's 34-yard line, Badgley attempted a 52-yard field goal that was no good.
Starting at its own 42-yard line, Pittsburgh needed just four plays to get on the board. A 46-yard reception by Antonio Brown set up a one-yard touchdown rush by James Conner to give the Steelers an early 7-0 lead.
Los Angeles went three-and-out on its next possession, which set the Steelers up at the Chargers' 48-yard line. A six-play drive ended the same way their first did: a one-yard touchdown rush by Conner. A missed extra point made the score 13-0 Pittsburgh after one quarter.
Browse through the top game action photos from Sunday Night Football as the Bolts take on the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field for Week 13.
Keenan Allen runs after catching a pass from Philip Rivers during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Damion Square tackles James Conner during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Derwin James tackles during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Travis Benjamin catches a pass from Philip Rivers during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Travis Benjamin runs after catching a pass from Philip Rivers during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Travis Benjamin dashes past Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Mike Hilton on his way to a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Pittsburgh.
Travis Benjamin and Justin Jackson celebrate Benjamin scoring a touchdown during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Bolts celebrate Travis Benjamin's touchdown during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Derwin James runs after interception Ben Roethlisberger during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Derwin James intercepts the ball during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tyrell Williams catches the ball during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Philip Rivers calls signals at the line during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Keenan Allen turns to run after catching a pass from Philip Rivers during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Philip Rivers turns to run during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Derwin James celebrates on the field during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Desmond King returns a kickoff during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Desmond King returns a kickoff during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Philip Rivers throws the ball during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Keenan Allen leaps to catch a pass from Philip Rivers during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Keenan Allen jumps up to catch a pass from Philip Rivers during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Keenan Allen celebrates on the field during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Philip Rivers throws the ball during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
Keenan Allen scores a touchdown during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
Keenan Allen leaps and scores a touchdown during week 13's matchup versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Keenan Allen scores a touchdown during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
Keenan Allen celebrates scoring a touchdown during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
Keenan Allen celebrates scoring a touchdown during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
Antonio Gates celebrates scoring a two-point conversion during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
Keenan Allen and Antonio Gates celebrate their scores during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
Desmond King returns a punt for a touchdown during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
Desmond King returns a punt for 73 yards and a touchdown during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
Desmond King returns a punt for a touchdown during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
The Bolts pose for a picture after Desmond King's touchdown off a punt return during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
Justin Jackson runs downfield during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
Justin Jackson celebrates on the field during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
Justin Jackson runs in a touchdown during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
Justin Jackson celebrates scoring a touchdown during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
Justin Jackson celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Pittsburgh.
Justin Jackson and Dan Feeney celebrates Jackson's first NFL touchdown during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
Michael Davis tackles JuJu Smith-Schuster during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
Adrian Phillips tackles Vance McDonald during the Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
Brothers Derek and T.J. Watt pose for a post-game photo during Week 13's matchup versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Twin brothers, Mike and Maurice Pouncey pose for a post-game photo during Week 13's matchup versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Needing points in a hurry, Rivers went deep and found wide receiver Travis Benjamin, who raced down the right sideline for a 46-yard touchdown reception. For Benjamin, it was his first touchdown since Week 17 of last season. Pittsburgh led 13-7 after one quarter.
With Pittsburgh threatening to score on its third straight possession, Chargers rookie safety Derwin James picked off Ben Roethlisberger at Los Angeles' eight-yard line. It was James' third interception of the season, and second in as many games. His 36-yard return was negated by an illegal block penalty, though, and Los Angeles was eventually forced to punt.
Pittsburgh scored the only ten points of the second quarter, including a 28-yard touchdown reception by Brown to make the score 23-7 at halftime. It was just the second time this season that Los Angeles was outscored in the second quarter.
The Chargers used a 13-play, 88-yard drive in the third quarter to cut into Pittsburgh's lead. In what in real time looked to be a Rivers interception in the end zone by Steelers cornerback Joe Haden turned into Haden colliding with teammate safety Sean Davis. The ball bounced off Haden and into the arms of Allen for a nine-yard touchdown. Rivers found Gates for the two-point conversion, which made the score 23-15.
A holding penalty coupled with a Joey Bosa sack of Roethlisberger forced Pittsburgh to punt on its next possession, which led to King's game-tying punt return touchdown.
Los Angeles forced the Steelers into another three-and-out on their next possession. With an opportunity to take the lead, the Bolts leaned on their rookie ball carrier. Jackson had an 18-yard rush, a 19-yard reception and a go-ahead 18-yard rushing touchdown that made the score 30-23 Los Angeles.
The Steelers answered to tie the game with a 10-yard touchdown reception from Roethlisberger to running back Jaylen Samuels, but it was Badgley's field goal that ultimately won it.
UP NEXT
The Chargers are back home in Week 14 to face the Cincinnati Bengals. Kickoff from ROKiT Field at StubHub Center is on Sunday, December 9th at 1:05 p.m. (CBS).
