Chargers bolt to 34-24 win over Steelers

By WILL GRAVES

AP Sports Writer / December 9, 2012

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‘‘Yeah we've been struggling the last five weeks,’’ tight end Antonio Gates said. ‘‘But at the end of the day it only came down to one or two plays in those games we lost. Today, we just were playing the way we were capable of playing, the way we know how to play.’’

Meanwhile the Steelers will have to find a way to move forward after one of the most demoralizing defeats of Tomlin’s six-year tenure. Pittsburgh still controls its playoff hopes after Cincinnati lost to Dallas.

If the Steelers can win their final three games, they'll play into January. That’s too far down the road to think about. At the moment, they'd just like to get back to playing something resembling competitive football.

‘‘''Those of us that have been around here, we've got to find a way to pick it up and finish strong,’’ defensive end Brett Keisel said. ‘‘We've got to bounce back. We've got to respond from this performance.’’

NOTES: Steelers LG Willie Colon left the game with a left knee injury. Maurkice Pouncey moved from center to guard, with Doug Legursky replacing Pouncey at center ... Roethlisberger became the 25th quarterback in NFL history to surpass 29,000 passing yards and 1,000 career rushing yards ...San Diego WR Michael Spurlock had seven receptions for 64 yards, with five of the receptions turning third downs into first downs ... Steelers WR Plaxico Burress had an 18-yard reception in the first half, his first reception since being re-signed by the Steelers two weeks ago ... San Diego held the ball for 36:45, the most by a Pittsburgh opponent this season.

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