Thanks a Lot, Marty, part 2: Chargers 23, Steelers 13

Apparently, Marty Schottenheimer learned the same lesson everyone else learned after the Chargers' loss to the Ravens last week: "Martyball" doesn't work. Just when the Steelers had the Chargers where they wanted them--Pittsburgh was losing by four--Marty shocked the world by allowing his young quarterback to throw. And throw he did, with great success. As a result, the Chargers did the unthinkable: they held their lead.

Big Ben threw, too, and with more success, but not enough. He still has not thrown a touchdown pass this season, and he added two to his interception total. It was the first time this season, though, that Ben has looked comfortable; in the second quarter, I began to believe that the season was turning around.

And it may still--good on the Broncos for shutting down the Ravens last night--but it hasn't yet. Ben looks nervous in the pocket; he shuffles his feet, he flushes too quickly, he doesn't run with the same sort of reckless authority. He isn't mentally back. What will it take? Hopefully not much more.

The Steelers' D looked dominant in the first half of the game, until the Chargers figured out how to stop the blitz. Once they were able to give Philip Rivers (whom the Steelers prefered over Big Ben on draft day, the story goes) time to throw, he found his receivers. And they caught the ball.

Willie Reid looked good in his first action of the season, returning a punt 11 yards to set up the Steelers' only touchdown drive, but he suffered a foot injury that, according to Cowher, is potentially "significant."

The team still looks "close," though. They only need a few good things to happen--a long touchdown pass, maybe, or a score on defense--to regain confidence and momentum. Let's hope that happens soon.