“Any time a defense gives up nine points, we should win the game,” Rivers said. “We didn’t get it done.”

The Steelers’ only other first-half scoring came when Harrison — yes, him again — sacked Rivers on a third-and-9 play from the San Diego 3, with the quarterback fumbling and left tackle Marcus McNeill recovering deep in his own end zone for a safety that made it 7-2.

“It’s just frustrating when you know that that’s not the San Diego Chargers,” tight end Antonio Gates said. “The Pittsburgh Steelers have a great defense but that’s not how we play football offensively.”

The Chargers, coming off a 20-19 win over Kansas City that followed three losses in four games, led 7-0 after LaDainian Tomlinson scored on a 3-yard run midway through the first period, his first scoring run in 93 carries. He ended with 57 yards on 18 carries.

San Diego began that drive at its own 41 after Reed couldn’t convert from 51 yards out on the slippery turf, his first miss in 20 attempts.

Notes: Chargers DE Luis Castillo left in the third quarter with a groin injury and did not return. ... The Steelers have only three days off before playing Cincinnati, which tied the Eagles 13-13 — the NFL’s first tie in six years. ... San Diego is 0-3 in Eastern time zone games. ... Reed hadn’t missed since a failed 44-yarder in ankle-deep mud during a last-minute, 3-0 win over Miami last Nov. 26.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 9 games STEELERS 28, BRONCOS 10: Roethlisberger throws 3 TDs COWBOYS 20, EAGLES 16: Austin’s TD puts Dallas atop NFC East COLTS 20, TEXANS 17: Indy's 17th-straight regular season win  |    Video SAINTS 30, PANTHERS 20: N.O. now 8-0 for first time in its history CHARGERS 21, GIANTS 20: N.Y. loses 4th straight  |    Video BUCS 38, PACKERS 28: Rookie QB leads Tampa to first win  |    Video PATRIOTS 27, DOLPHINS 17: Brady-Moss connection thrives  |    Video CARDINALS 41, BEARS 21: Warner tosses 5 TDs  |    Video BENGALS 17, RAVENS 7: Cincy cements AFC North status  |    Video FALCONS 31, REDSKINS 17: Atlanta gets into scuffle, still wins TITANS 34, 49ERS 27: Young improves to 2-0 as a starter this year SEAHAWKS 32, LIONS 20: Seattle overcomes 17-0 hole JAGUARS 24, CHIEFS 21: Chargers cast-off Chambers can't save K.C. Byes: Bills, Browns, Raiders, Rams, Vikings, Jets

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