Tough Steelers able to drive a point home

Steelers running back Willie Parker (left) celebrates his fourth-quarter TD with Sean McHugh. (Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press)

PITTSBURGH - After watching the homestanding Titans, Panthers, and Giants all lose divisional playoff games, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin admitted he was growing a little bit concerned about the trend of home teams being sent home.

Tomlin's players were aware of the rash of visiting playoff victories, but they had a simple rationalization for why a similar football fate didn't befall them yesterday at Heinz Field, where they held serve at home with a 35-24 victory over the Chargers.

"That was them. This is us," said Pittsburgh left tackle Max Starks.

Powered by a punishing rushing attack that racked up 165 yards on 42 carries, led by Willie Parker, who had a season-high 146 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries, the Steelers dispatched both the Chargers and the playoffs' home-field jinx before 63,899 Terrible Towel-waving fans.

Pittsburgh's hard-scrabble home win means it'll host the Ravens next Sunday in what promises to be a black and blue AFC Championship game between two of the NFL's most physical teams.

The Steelers swept the season series with the Ravens, but the two games were decided by a total of 7 points, with one going to overtime.

"They're coming to us. They don't like us. We don't like them, and it's going to be real nasty," said Pittsburgh right tackle Willie Colon.

While Pittsburgh's offense mashed its way on the ground, the Steelers defense did a solid job of bottling up Chargers dynamo Darren Sproles, who once again drew the start at running back in place of an injured LaDainian Tomlinson (groin).

Sproles had just 11 rushes for 15 yards to go with five catches for 91 yards, but that number was skewed by a meaningless 62-yard touchdown reception he had late in the fourth quarter.

"They're a great team - that defense is the real deal," said Sproles.

Early on it seemed like it might be San Diego hosting the AFC title game. It took the Chargers only four plays to quiet the hyped-up crowd, as Philip Rivers connected with Vincent Jackson on a 41-yard touchdown pass.

Coming off a bye, the second-seeded Steelers offense remained idle for much of the half, producing just 57 yards and zero points on its first four possessions.

Desperate to generate some offense, Tomlin called for a fake punt on fourth and 1 from his 48 with 5:11 left in the second quarter, but San Diego stuffed safety Ryan Clark for a 4-yard loss, leading to a 42-yard field goal by Nate Kaeding that gave San Diego a 10-7 lead.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense got the ball back at their 34 with 1:52 to go. At that point Pittsburgh's only points had come via a 67-yard punt return touchdown by Santonio Holmes in the first quarter - the longest in Steelers postseason history.

Roethlisberger and Co. found their rhythm, though, accumulating 66 of their 143 first-half yards to take a 14-10 halftime lead. Roethlisberger (17 of 26 for 181 yards and a touchdown) threw a 41-yard strike to Hines Ward to the Chargers' 3, and Parker scored the first of his two TDs on the next play with 40 seconds left in the half.

Pittsburgh made it two straight scoring drives, taking the opening kickoff of the second half and marching 77 yards in 13 plays, using 7 minutes and 56 seconds. After going 1 for 5 on third-down conversions in the first half, Pittsburgh converted three straight, the last an 18-yard pass to tight end Heath Miller that moved the ball to the Chargers' 12. Two plays later, Roethlisberger, who showed no ill effects from the concussion he suffered against Cleveland in Pittsburgh's season finale, hit Miller for an 8-yard touchdown to put Pittsburgh ahead, 21-10.

Sproles returned the ensuing kickoff 63 yards to the Pittsburgh 23, but on the first play Rivers's pass was batted into the air by Pittsburgh defensive end Brett Keisel and picked off by a diving Larry Foote.

That was the only offensive play San Diego ran in the third quarter.

Following the interception, Mitch Berger's punt caromed off San Diego safety Eric Weddle, who was blocking, and was scooped up by Pittsburgh's William Gay at the San Diego 23. Pittsburgh moved the ball to the San Diego 1, but the Chargers held three times from there, forcing a turnover on downs.

However, another mistake by Weddle put the game away. The San Diego safety was whistled for a 44-yard pass interference penalty on Nate Washington on a deep pass into the end zone. That set up a 1-yard TD run by Gary Russell that put Pittsburgh ahead, 28-10, with 12:52 left in the game.

San Diego pulled within 28-17, but then Parker iced the game with a 16-yard touchdown run with 4:11 remaining.

The playoff win was the first by the Steelers since they captured their fifth Super Bowl title with a 21-10 win over the Seahawks in Super Bowl XL.

Now, they're two wins from an NFL-record sixth Super Bowl title, but first things first. They have to win another home game to get to Tampa.

Ward knows that's easier said than done.

"I'm going into my fourth championship game, and I'm 0-2 at home," said Ward, who twice lost to the Patriots at home in the AFC title game (2001 and 2004). "I'd love to win this one. I'm tired of losing at home and seeing somebody else win."

Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com.