Chargers silence the Steelers

Monday, Oct 09, 2006
By Tom Shanahan, Chargers.com

“Dee-FENSE” is a time-honored football chant Pittsburgh Steelers fans popularized three decades ago while urging on their four Super Bowl championship teams. So is waving the Terrible Towel.

But on Sunday night before NBC’s national television stage, the Chargers’ defense drowned out the Steelers fans -- many of them relocated San Diegans or Southern Californians clinging to their hometown roots while infiltrating Qualcomm with Terrible Towels -- with a dominating performance more commonly associated with the Steelers.

The Chargers shut out Pittsburgh in the second half en route to a 23-13 win before 67,837 fans at Qualcomm Stadium. The Bolts forced two turnovers and recorded five sacks, halting any chances of the Steelers duplicating their come-from-behind last year on Monday Night Football at Qualcomm.

“We didn’t notice the yellow towels this year,” said Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo, who had 1 ½ sacks. “Last year noticed those towels. But this year it was a great feeling to hear our fans and see them waving those blue towels. It was a great feeling to have the crowd supporting you.”

In the second half, the Chargers ended the Steelers’ first possession with an interception by cornerback Drayton Florence at the Bolts’ 9-yard line. On the second possession they forced a punt after three straight tackles for lost yardage. On the Steelers’ third possession, free safety Marlon McCree intercepted a pass that Roethlisberger floated under pressure from outside linebacker Shaun Phillips.

“I think it was the second to last defensive drive when we stepped out there and the crowd went crazy for us,“ Castillo said. “We needed to prove something after last week. Last week we let one go. It wasn’t about Martyball and it wasn’t about the offense. We let one get away.”

A week ago the Chargers matched up well with the Baltimore Ravens’ better-known defense, but a late touchdown allowed the Ravens to come from behind for a 16-13 win. This time in another matchup against an elite NFL defense, there was no letdown from the Chargers.

“I would call this a statement game,” McCree said. “A lot hasn’t been said about this team, particularly on defense. We’ve got the No. 1 defense in the league, and to get respect in this league you need to beat a team like Pittsburgh. We were able to do that this week.”

Added outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, who was credited with a half-sack: “It doesn’t make up for last week, but it’s a start for us. Last week still goes on our record, but this we were able to come and get it done.“

The Chargers’ defensive effort started in the middle with Pro Bowl nose guard Jamal Williams taking on two Pro Bowl offensive linemen for the Steelers, center Jeff Hartings and left guard Alan Faneca. Williams finished with six tackles, including a sack.

Williams had a one-armed tackle when he reached out to stop Steelers’ running back Willie Parker, who stopped as if he hit a brick wall. He also pulled down Roethlisberger with one arm while fending off blockers.

“Jamal is an unbelievable player,” Castillo said. “He’s one of the best players in the league.“

The Chargers said they made defensive adjustments at halftime after allowing the Steelers to move the ball and scored 13 points.

“We couldn’t get pressure on them in the first half,” McCree said. “They were coming off a bye week and they were picking up what we were doing. They had our number. But we made some great adjustments in the second half to get some pressure on Roethlisberger. We disguised our coverage and he was holding the ball. That allowed our pressure to get to them.”

At that left all the chanting and towel waving for the defense dressed in powder blue.