The Sports Xchange

SAN DIEGO — When Le’Veon Bell is on your side, the decision is easy.

“We have to run the football,” Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “We have Le’Veon Bell.”

Bell’s 1-yard scoring run with no time remaining lifted the Steelers past the San Diego Chargers 24-20 Monday night.

The Chargers grabbed the lead on rookie Josh Lambo’s 54-yard field goal with 2:56 to play. The Steelers then drove 80 yards in 12 plays for the win.

On first-and-goal at the San Diego 1-yard line with five seconds remaining, Bell took a direct snap and ran to the left side. The running back was wrapped up by linebacker Donald Butler, but Bell was able to stretch the ball over the goal line for the win.

“It was definitely the most meaningful for sure,” Bell said of where his touchdown ranks. “To win the game, the game-winner on the last play of the game, that’s what you dream about it.”

Quarterback Philip Rivers said it was a nightmare for the Chargers. Not only the result, but the surroundings as well. Chargers fans had a tough time matching the chants from the Steelers boosters.

“It was a tough environment tonight,” Rivers said of the thousands of Steelers fans. “It was like being on the road.”

Tomlin said he never hesitated in going for the win instead of kicking the tying field goal.

“It was time to go to the mattresses, if you will,” Tomlin said. “We had to do what was required to win. Le’Veon gave us an opportunity to win, and we were trying to do everything we could to move the football.”

Chargers tight end Antonio Gates returned from a four-game suspension and caught two touchdown passes. He finished with nine receptions for a game-high 92 yards.

What we learned about the Chargers:

1. The Chargers have yet another weapon with the return of tight end Antonio Gates. He made his season debut after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy, and he recorded two touchdowns among his nine receptions for 92 yards. The Chargers were cautious not to overuse Gates, as they weren’t shy about directing passes toward tight end Ladarius Green as well. However, it is clear that while Gates isn’t in football shape, he is fit enough to lead the San Diego passing game.

2. Rookie running back Melvin Gordon is good, but it is a long way from the college game to the pros. The Chargers tried on numerous stints to establish the running game, and it just wasn’t there on a consistent basis. Some of it is Gordon; some of it is the banged-up offensive line. Gordon ended up with 42 yards on 15 carries, though he added 52 yards on seven receptions. However, as the Chargers greet Week 6, Gordon has yet to score a touchdown.

3. The defense isn’t very good on the back end. There are flashes of solid play now and again, but on a consistent basis, the cornerbacks are having issues. Brandon Flowers wore the target this week as the Steelers kept going after him with good results. Flowers is battling some injuries, and cornerback Jason Verrett has been in and out of the lineup as well. The Chargers were counting on the cornerbacks to be a team strength, and that has yet to happen.

Etc.

–LT King Dunlap remains out with a concussion, missing his third consecutive game. Dunlap has yet to be cleared for light practice, so he could be down an additional week.

–C Chris Watt has been in and out of the lineup due to a groin injury this season. However, after working most of the week, he didn’t start Monday. Watt, who was replaced by Trevor Robinson, did see work during the game at guard.

–LG Orlando Franklin was down again with a high ankle sprain, the second consecutive start he missed. Franklin was a key pickup in the offseason as the Chargers tried to beef up their line. The team hopes Franklin can return by Oct. 24, when it gets into the AFC West portion of the schedule with a game against the Oakland Raiders. Franklin is an ex-Bronco.

–WR Stevie Johnson sustained a hamstring injury in the Chargers’ win over the Browns on Oct. 4 and hasn’t worked since. Johnson was a key addition in the offseason as the Chargers lost Eddie Royal to the Bears. Both play in the slot. Philip Rivers was building a strong connection with Johnson before the receiver got hurt.