Devlin Hodges likely couldn't have guessed he would be a starting quarterback in a primetime matchup this season, but the undrafted rookie took care of business Sunday night.
Hodges and the Steelers take a 24-17 road victory over the Chargers at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.
With Ben Roethlisberger suffering a season-ending elbow injury in Week 2 against the Seahawks and backup Mason Rudolph out with a concussion he suffered last week vs. the Ravens, Pittsburgh (2-4) turned to Hodges, an undrafted Samford product, against Los Angeles (2-4). Hodges answered with 15-of-20 passing for 132 yards, a touchdown which was enough to hold off the Chargers' fourth-quarter comeback bid.
NFL WEEK 6 SCORES: Live updates, results, highlights from Sunday's games
Minus a deep-ball attempt early in the fourth quarter that was intercepted, Hodges enjoyed a relatively mistake-free evening, something Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was unable to accomplish. Rivers finished the night 26 of 44 for 320 yards, two fourth-quarter touchdowns, two interceptions and a lost fumble. The Los Angeles offense wasn't able to manufacture much of anything until it made a late rally, scoring 17 points in the final period before Rivers was picked off with 41 seconds to play.
With the loss, the Chargers have already suffered as many defeats (four) as it did all of last season. Los Angeles' losses have come by an average of six points, each of which were one-possession games.
Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights from the "Sunday Night Football" AFC matchup.
Steelers vs. Chargers score
| 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | F | |
| Steelers | 14 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 24 |
| Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 17 |
Steelers vs. Chargers updates, highlights
(All times Eastern)
Final: Steelers 24, Chargers 17
11:13 p.m. : Rivers is intercepted by Cam Sutton on a shot down the sidelines, which will put the finishing touches on Pittsburgh's win.
11:11 p.m. : On fourth-and-1 on the Chargers 36, the Steelers punt it to the 1-yard line. Chargers will need to go 99 yards in 63 seconds to tie it up.
11:08 p.m. : Chargers attempt an onside kick but the Steelers are there to recover. Los Angeles has three timeouts and need a stop.
11:06 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, CHARGERS. Rivers gets it out to Henry again in the end zone for a 11-yard touchdown strike this time to make it a one-possession game. That's 17 unanswered for Los Angeles. Steelers 24, Chargers 17.
11:03 p.m.: Chargers are at the Pittsburgh 22 as the clock reaches the two-minute warning. Los Angeles needs a quick score and the ball back to have a chance.
10:54 p.m .: Chargers get a much-needed stop to force a punt, which is returned to the 22-yard line. Just a sliver under four minutes to go.
10:47 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, CHARGERS. Rivers finds Hunter Henry for a toe-tapping, five-yard touchdown score to close the gap. Steelers 24, Chargers 10.
10:37 p.m. : Hodges throws deep into coverage and is picked off by Rayshawn Jenkins. Chargers will look to more points on the board, trailing by three scores with 10:36 to play.
10:29 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, CHARGERS. Los Angeles is on the board for the first time as Chase McLaughlin converts a 38-yard field goal attempt, wrapping a 71-yard drive. Steelers 24, Chargers 3.
Third quarter: Steelers 24, Chargers 0
10:14 p.m. : The Steelers get near midfield but the Chargers have enough to stall the drive. On the ensuing punt, Desmond King II muffs the catch but the officials rule that fair-catch interference occurred. Los Angeles retains the ball and will start the drive within their own 10.
10:06 p.m. : Chargers follow up the Steelers' lengthy drive by going three-and-out.
10:01 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, STEELERS. Pittsburgh's third-down snap gets away from Hodges but he flicks a pass incomplete to set up the 20-yard field goal to cap the 13-play drive. Steelers 24, Chargers 0.
9:47 p.m. : Steelers start the second half on their own 25.
Halftime: Steelers 21, Chargers 0
First downs : Steelers 9, Chargers 7
Passing yards : Chargers 111, Steelers 70
Rushing yards : Steelers 61, Chargers 24
Total yards : Chargers 135, Steelers 131
Turnovers : Steelers 0, Chargers 2
Penalties : Steelers 1-5, Chargers 3-27
Possession : Steelers 15:46, Chargers 14:14
9:29 p.m. : Chase McLaughlin hits the left upright on his 43-yard field goal attempt and the Chargers remain scoreless.
9:11 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, STEELERS. Hodges passes short right off to Conner and Conner breaks a tackle and trots in for a 26-yard touchdown. Steelers 21, Chargers 0.
First quarter: Steelers 14, Chargers 0
8:53 p.m.: Los Angeles manages 18 yards on five plays on its next drive and is forced to punt again.
8:47 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, STEELERS. James Conner takes a handoff to the left and punches it in for a rather easy score to extend the lead on the 12-yard scamper. Steelers 14, Chargers 0.
8:41 p.m. : Bush makes yet another play on defense, this time intercepting a batted Rivers pass for his second turnover of the first quarter. Steelers start in Chargers territory.
8:36 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, STEELERS. Rivers tries to hit Melvin Gordon on a backwards pass that goes awry. Devin Bush picks it up and cashes it in for a touchdown. Steelers 7, Chargers 0.
8:32 p.m. : Steelers go backwards on their first under Devlin Hodges, punting it back to the Chargers.
8:27 p.m. : Pittsburgh forces a punt on Los Angeles' first drive as Philip Rivers hobbles off the field. Steelers will get their first drive going.
8:23 p.m. : The Chargers will get things started at their own 25.
7:55 p.m. : The Watt brothers take the field.