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NFL midseason superlatives: The biggest busts so far

USA TODAY Sports’ Joe Rivera and Chris Bumbaca dish out which players, coaches, and teams have been the biggest letdowns so far.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers continue to elbow for position in a crowded AFC playoff picture on “Sunday Night Football.”

Despite leading the AFC North, the Steelers are in a somewhat precarious position. After returning Lamar Jackson from injury, the Baltimore Ravens are just a few games back of the division lead, meaning Pittsburgh would love to be able to put a little bit more distance between themselves and their divisional foe.

That starts with getting a little more consistency on both sides of the ball. The Steelers haven’t been able to unlock their offense with Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf despite ranking among the best in TD passes this season. On defense, the unit, which is the highest paid in the NFL, has underperformed.

Finding that consistency may be a difficult ask against a tough Jim Harbaugh-coached squad. The Chargers got off to a promising start this season, but the top-heavy AFC West is providing something of an uphill climb for Justin Herbert and Co. The Denver Broncos sit atop the division and eked out another win on “Thursday Night Football.”

That all makes for a crucial “Sunday Night Football” matchup in Week 10. USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights and more from the matchup below.

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The Chargers have matched the Steelers’ three sacks with three of their own. This time, Los Angeles managed to pressure Rodgers into scrambling around the pocket before the 41-year-old quarterback was brought down by Tuipulotu, the Chargers’ sack leader.

Rodgers has not been sacked more than four times in a single game this season. He has now been sacked at least three times in three consecutive games.

Warren energized the Steelers on their first offensive play of the second half. The fourth-year running back took an outside carry to the right side of the defense, where it looked like he would be met by Hart, a cornerback.

Instead, Warren leapt over Hart, completely avoiding the hit and landing mostly in stride for a 14-yard gain.

The Chargers picked up a first down after Herbert completed his first pass of the night to Keenan Allen, but they stalled out shortly after. The Steelers continue to get a lot of pressure on Herbert, and Highsmith sacked him on a third down to force another JK Scott punt.

Scott’s punt was fair caught by Ke’Shawn Williams at the Pittsburgh 9-yard line. The rookie returner nearly bobbled the kick but managed to corral it.

The Steelers will play the rest of Sunday’s game without Slay, one of their starting cornerbacks. He suffered a concussion in the first half and will not return to action, the team announced.

The Steelers scored the first points on “Sunday Night Football,” but the Chargers scored 12 unanswered to close the first half. That included the lone touchdown of the first half, a 15-yarder to Ladd McConkey.

Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ offense have been the more efficient of the two units. Herbert has completed 13 of 22 passes for 91 yards and the score. He has gotten solid support from running back Kimani Vidal, who racked up 49 yards on eight carries in the first half.

Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers has largely struggled. He has completed 7 of 14 passes for 64 yards and an interception. No Steelers wide-out has more than one reception and DK Metcalf (19 yards) has largely been held in check by a stingy Chargers defense.

The Chargers will receive the second-half kickoff and will have a chance to build upon their lead.

The Chargers managed to milk the clock following their interception of Rodgers, running it down to 12 seconds before Justin Herbert hit McConkey for a middle-of-the-field touchdown. McConkey managed to shake Brandin Echols with ease to waltz into the end-zone untouched.

Cameron Dicker made the extra point and the Chargers will take a 12-3 lead into halftime — unless the Steelers can score in the first half’s final 12 seconds.

Chargers 12, Steelers 3

Rodgers has the second-lowest interception percentage among qualified passers in NFL history, but he threw a pick just before halftime against the Chargers. He was targeting Metcalf but had to throw the ball high to give the receiver a chance to catch the ball over Daiyan Henley.

However, Rodgers’ throw was a touch too high. Metcalf couldn’t get to it and that allowed Mickens to come down with it. He had a short return before being tackled by Kenneth Gainwell in field goal range.

Herbert entered Week 10 as the NFL’s most pressured quarterback. The Steelers have gotten after him plenty in the first half of Sunday’s game, with Keanu Benton getting home for Pittsburgh’s second sack of the veteran starter.

JK Scott’s punt went 48 yards and the Steelers will get the ball back at their own 23-yard line with three minutes left in the first half.

The Steelers were once again unable to get anything going on offense. Rodgers was sacked on first down and decided to take a shot on a third-and-long downfield to Calvin Austin III.

Reed, an undrafted rookie from Oregon, had great coverage on the play and managed to get a hand on the pass to prevent the explosive play. Corliss Waitman’s punt traveled 51 yards before being fair caught on the Steelers’ 19-yard line.

Herbert got a “very heavy tape job” on his right ankle after having it rolled up while being sacked by T.J. Watt, according to NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark. The Chargers quarterback also had his left ankle taped.

Herbert did not miss any playing time but was seen limping after taking the hit.

The Steelers announced Slay is being evaluated for a concussion. The veteran cornerback collided with teammate Kyler Dugger during the Steelers’ most recent drive.

Slay briefly received medical attention on the field before walking off under his own power.

The Chargers finally were able to string together a few first downs thanks to Justin Herbert and Kimani Vidal, but they couldn’t get into the end-zone. Herbert’s best chance to do so came when he lofted a corner-pylon shot to tight end Oronde Gadsden II while under pressure, but the rookie didn’t see the ball in time to make the play.

Dicker came on to attempt a 32-yard chip shot and made it, giving the Chargers a 5-3 lead in the second quarter.

Chargers 5, Steelers 3

Smith was wide open near the Chargers’ 10-yard line on a second-and-long when Aaron Rodgers threw his way. The 41-year-old’s pass was a little high, and Smith was unable to control it while going to the ground.

Initially, the officials ruled Smith had caught the ball. An astute challenge from Jim Harbaugh led to the call being overturned.

A couple of plays later, Boswell attempted a 45-yard field goal. His attempt missed wide right, ending a string of 16 consecutive makes for the long-time Steelers kicker.

The first quarter of the Chargers vs. Steelers “Sunday Night Football” game was a defensive slugfest. The teams combined for just 85 yards and four first downs across seven drives, with the Chargers’ lone score coming defensively.

That said, the Steelers were starting to generate some momentum before the quarter break. They traveled 50 yards over the final five plays of the first quarter, led by a couple of middle-of-the-field strikes to DK Metcalf and Darnell Washington.

Aaron Rodgers completed 4 of 6 passes for 45 yards in the first quarter but was also sacked for a safety. Meanwhile, Justin Herbert went just 3 of 7 passing for 14 yards against a Steelers secondary that hasn’t allowed many receivers to get open.

Neither the Chargers nor Steelers have yet been able to sustain an offensive drive. Following the safety, the Chargers went three-and-out, as Justin Herbert was unable to connect with Quentin Johnston while being blitzed on third down.

JK Scott’s punt went to the Steelers’ 10-yard line but was returned 11 yards by Ke’Shawn Williams. As a result, Aaron Rodgers and Pittsburgh’s offense will start at their own 21-yard line.

The Steelers decided to pass on a third-and-7 from inside their own 10-yard line. Rodgers was pressured on the play and tried to escape it. However, in doing so, he fumbled the ball and was forced to jump on it in the end-zone to prevent a Chargers touchdown.

The Chargers were credited with a safety because of the play, cutting the Steelers’ lead to 3-2 in the first quarter.

Steelers 3, Chargers 2

Pittsburgh’s defense is off to a good start. The Steelers allowed the Chargers to get the first, first down of the game but not before the team stuffed Herbert on a “Tush Push” on third-and-1. 

A few plays later, the Steelers forced Herbert and Co. to stall out shortly after Porter Jr. broke up and nearly intercepted a third-down pass intended for Keenan Allen. 

JK Scott’s punt was a good one, traveling 45 yards before being downed at Pittsburgh’s 6-yard line. The Steelers will be backed up as they look to sustain a drive.

The Steelers couldn’t gain a first down after the Chargers’ punt, and Aaron Rodgers just barely overthrew DK Metcalf after scrambling away from pressure on a third-and-5.

However, Pittsburgh gained just enough yardage for Boswell to attempt a long field goal. The veteran drilled the 59-yard attempt to give the Steelers an early 3-0 lead.

Steelers 3, Chargers 0

Justin Herbert had a chance to get the ball to Oronde Gadsden for a first down, but the rookie tight end was unable to reel in the third-down pass just beyond the sticks.

JK Scott came onto punt and nearly had his kick blocked. The punt traveled just 36 yards before going out of bounds, giving the Steelers the ball in excellent field position at Los Angeles’ 46-yard line.

Rodgers attended Butte Community College for a year in 2002 before playing two seasons at California from 2003-04. The 41-year-old simply said he was from “Chico, California” during his “SNF” intro, a nod to his hometown.

The Steelers could not capitalize on Dicker’s kick. A false start penalty on replacement left guard Andrus Peat put Pittsburgh behind the sticks and the Steelers couldn’t recover. Aaron Rodgers completed 2 of 3 passes for 11 yards but Pittsburgh was ultimately forced to punt.

Corliss Waitman’s punt was fair caught at the Chargers’ 11-yard line and Los Angeles will take the field on offense for the first time.

“Sunday Night Football” has officially kicked off. The Steelers got the ball first, but Dicker, the Chargers’ kicker, launched the ball out of bounds on the right side of the field. 

That will give Pittsburgh good field position, starting the game on their own 40-yard line.

What time is the Chargers vs Steelers game?

The Chargers and Steelers get underway at 8:20 p.m. ET (5:20 p.m. PT). Pittsburgh travels to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California for the prime-time matchup.

What channel is Chargers vs Steelers on?

NBC is the broadcast home of “Sunday Night Football.” Mike Tirico will be on the call alongside Cris Collinsworth, with Melissa Stark providing reports from the sideline.

Chargers vs Steelers streamLive stream: Fubo | Peacock

For those looking to live stream the matchup, NBC’s streaming service Peacock will carry the game.

Cord-cutters can also turn to Fubo, which carries NBC, CBS, Fox, ABC, the NFL Network and the ESPN family of networks. Fubo also offers a free trial.

Watch “Sunday Night Football” with Fubo (free trial)

Chargers vs Steelers prediction

Could the Steelers offense be rounding into form? That’s a big question entering “SNF.” Aaron Rodgers and Co. have put up 25 points or more in their last three matchups, potentially indicative of a little more consistency moving forward. The bigger question is their defense: While they’re coming off allowed just 20 points to the high-powered Colts in Week 9, their issues stopping offenses all season have been apparent. The Chargers win tonight on Herber’s arm.

Prediction: Chargers 27, Steelers 20

Chargers vs Steelers live betting odds, moneyline, O/U

Mike Tirico will handle play-by-play duties during the game, with Cris Collinsworth providing color commentary and Melissa Stark reporting from the sidelines.

NBC’s weekly “Football Night in America” pregame show will begin at 7 p.m. ET and feature insight from a panel of analysts, including Maria Taylor, Jason Garrett, Chris Simms, Mike Florio, Devin McCourty, Tony Dungy, and more. 

S Tony JeffersonCB Tarheeb StillOLB Kyle KennardT Bobby HartT Foster SarellWR KeAndre Lambert-SmithTE Will Dissly

Justin Herbert warms up for

The Steelers enter “Sunday Night Football” in first place in the AFC North. Here’s how the division stacks up:

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)Baltimore Ravens (4-5)Cincinnati Bengals (3-6)Cleveland Browns (2-7)

The Chargers enter “Sunday Night Football” in second place in the AFC West. Here’s how the division stacks up:

Denver Broncos (8-2)Los Angeles Chargers (6-3)Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)Las Vegas Raiders (2-7)

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Hampton isn’t expected to return until after the team’s Week 12 bye week, according to head coach Jim Harbaugh.

The rookie is eligible to come off injured reserve in Week 10, but Harbaugh indicated that Hampton’s practice window won’t be opened just yet. However, he did acknowledge that the situation can change.

Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the Steelers, which has a base value of $13.65 million, according to Spotrac. He received a $10 million signing bonus and will have a cap hit of $14.15 million in 2025.

Rodgers’ contract can be worth up to $19.5 million in total value thanks to a $5.85 million incentive package tied to the deal. His incentives for the 2025 NFL season are as follows:

Playoff berth: $500,000Wild card win: $600,000Divisional win: $750,000Conference championship: $1 millionSuper Bowl win: $1.5 millionLeague MVP: $1.5 million

Rodgers has remained mum about his wife’s identity. She has not yet publicly appeared with the 41-year-old quarterback, and it isn’t clear whether she will at any point during the season. 

Before acknowledging his marriage, Rodgers last mentioned having a significant other during a December 2024 appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” 

Rodgers said during the appearance her name was “Brittani,” clarifying she spelled her name with an “I.” 

Rodgers has not clarified whether she is the woman he married during the 2025 offseason. 

The Steelers enter their matchup with the Chargers at 5-3. The Steelers entered their Week 5 bye with a 3-1 record and won their Week 6 home matchup against the Browns. They lost two straight against the Bengals and Packers before defeating the Colts in Week 9.