Steelers grind out a win, start 3-0 for fourth time with Mike Tomlin as head coach

The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially managed to start the 2024 season at 3-0 with a Week 3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers — their home opener. It marks the fourth time in the Mike Tomlin era (dating back to 2007) that the team has started 3-0, having gone to the playoffs in each of those three seasons.

Since 1990, 75.2% of teams to start the season 3-0 have made the playoffs, putting the Steelers In a solid spot. Pittsburgh led the AFC North heading into Week 3 and will now maintain that lead with the win as the only remaining undefeated team in the division.

It was a slow-moving process to the win, particularly in the first half, where the Steelers managed just 113 net yards to the Chargers' 173. They suffered a couple of key injuries, as well, losing OLB Alex Highsmith (groin), Van Jefferson (eye) and Cory Trice (hamstring) to injuries in this outing. The Chargers had a couple of losses as well with the mid-game losses of QB Justin Herbert (ankle) and DE Joey Bosa.

Once again, quarterback Justin Fields had a solid outing despite their challenging matchup against this Chargers secondary with the highlight of the game coming on a 55-yard passing touchdown to WR Calvin Austin III. It marked Austin's third career receiving touchdown, though it wasn't the longest, which came back in Week 3 of the 2023 season on a 72-yard completion from then-starter Kenny Pickett.

The defense shined once again, and in particular, OLB Nick Herbig, who filled in admirably for Highsmith while he was out with injury. Herbig registered two sacks in limited snaps.

How's it feel to start 3-0, Steelers nation?