Quick answer
- Winner
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Final score
- Pittsburgh Steelers 38–28 Los Angeles Chargers
- Halftime
- Los Angeles Chargers 0–21 Pittsburgh Steelers at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- B. Roethlisberger
- Top passer
- Philip Rivers
- Biggest EPA play
- (12:57) (Punt formation) 5-M.Scifres punts 47 yards to PIT 42, Center-50-D.Binn. 11-S.Loga…
- Game date
- 2009-10-04
Game summary
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Los Angeles Chargers 38–28 on 2009-10-04. B. Roethlisberger posted a game-high +22.23 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 31 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 7 | 21 | 0 | 28 | |
| 14 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 38 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1
B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +22.23 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play - 2
A. Gates · Los Angeles Chargers · Receiving · +13.93 total EPA · 12 snaps · +1.16 EPA/play - 3
Philip Rivers · Los Angeles Chargers · Passing · +8.43 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play - 4
Herb Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +6.55 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play - 5
H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +6.18 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play - 6

Malachi Moore · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.31 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.77 EPA/play - 7
R. Mendenhall · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +4.90 total EPA · 29 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play - 8
S. Holmes · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.29 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.
FantasyHQ Game MVP
B. Roethlisberger — PIT · Passing
B. Roethlisberger posted the highest total EPA (+22.23) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Pittsburgh Steelers. Across 40 counted snaps, they averaged +0.56 EPA per play.
B. Roethlisberger's top snap (+3.10 EPA): (4:17) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 21-M.Moore for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Biggest single play (+9.58 EPA): M. Scifres — (12:57) (Punt formation) 5-M.Scifres punts 47 yards to PIT 42, Center-50-D.Binn. 11-S.Logan to PIT 41 for -1 yards (22-J.Hester). FUMBLES (22-J.Hester), RECOVERED by LAC-22-J.Hester at PIT 41. 22-J.He
Quarterback report card
Philip Rivers led all passers in efficiency for Los Angeles Chargers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
Philip Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers) · 41 dropbacks · 51.2% completion · -2.3% CPOE · +0.21 EPA/play · +8.43 total EPA
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 40 dropbacks · 65.0% completion · +14.0% CPOE · +0.56 EPA/play · +22.23 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.312 | +0.314 |
| Offensive success rate | 53.0% | 61.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.206 | +0.581 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.337 | +0.179 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.314 | -0.312 |
| Defensive success rate | 38.7% | 47.0% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Los Angeles Chargers +0.31, Pittsburgh Steelers +0.31) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Los Angeles Chargers: +0.31 EPA/play (98th percentile vs. 2009 team-game averages)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: +0.31 EPA/play (98th percentile vs. 2009 team-game averages)
- Los Angeles Chargers: 10 drives, +20.60 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 11 drives, +29.20 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
Pittsburgh Steelers — R. Mendenhall 
Pittsburgh Steelers — Malachi Moore (B. Roethlisberger pass)
Pittsburgh Steelers — R. Mendenhall
Pittsburgh Steelers — Herb Miller (B. Roethlisberger pass)
Los Angeles Chargers — A. Gates (Philip Rivers pass)
Los Angeles Chargers — J. Hester
Pittsburgh Steelers — Herb Miller (Malachi Moore pass)
Los Angeles Chargers — A. Gates (Philip Rivers pass)
Los Angeles Chargers — C. Chambers (Philip Rivers pass)
Field goals

Pittsburgh Steelers — Joe Reed
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the LAC 1 (Q1 11:53) — (11:53) #64 Legursky reports as eligible receiver. 34-R.Mendenhall up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q1 11:49) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the LAC 19 (Q1 4:17) — (4:17) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 21-M.Moore for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q1 4:08) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda..
The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the LAC 2 (Q2 1:33) — (1:33) 34-R.Mendenhall up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q2 1:28) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the LAC 6 (Q3 7:56) — (7:56) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 83-H.Miller for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q3 7:48) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the PIT 3 (Q3 1:40); Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q3 1:33) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres..
The fourth quarter: Los Angeles Chargers won the period 21–10. Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the PIT 89 (Q4 12:57); Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 12:37) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the LAC 6 (Q4 7:24); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the LAC 2 (Q4 7:18) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the PIT 30 (Q4 5:57) — (5:57) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 85-A.Gates for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 5:48) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Los Angeles Chargers found the end zone from the PIT 13 (Q4 4:39) — (4:39) 17-P.Rivers pass short right to 89-C.Chambers for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Los Angeles Chargers added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 4:31) — 10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the LAC 28 (Q4 0:48).
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 13:40) — (13:40) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 17-M.Wallace to LAC 14 for 35 yards (28-S.Gregory).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 5:48) — 10-N.Kaeding kicks onside 16 yards from LAC 30 to LAC 46. 29-R.Mundy MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by LAC-51-T.Dobbins at LAC 46. 51-T.Dobbins to LAC 46 for no gain (55-P.Bailey).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 7:44) — (7:44) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete short left to 17-M.Wallace. PENALTY on LAC-31-A.Cromartie, Defensive Pass Interference, 10 yards, enforced at PIT 45 - No Play.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 13:09) — (13:09) 34-R.Mendenhall up the middle to LAC 5 for 9 yards (32-E.Weddle).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 4:17) — (4:17) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 21-M.Moore for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 12:57) — (12:57) (Punt formation) 5-M.Scifres punts 47 yards to PIT 42, Center-50-D.Binn. 11-S.Logan to PIT 41 for -1 yards (22-J.Hester). FUMBLES (22-J.Hester), RECOVERED by LAC-22-J.Hester at PIT 41. 22-J.He
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q4 5:57) — (5:57) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 85-A.Gates for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Los Angeles Chargers (Q3 6:03) — (6:03) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep middle to 85-A.Gates to PIT 26 for 26 yards (31-K.Ratliff, 25-R.Clark).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 4:17) — (4:17) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 21-M.Moore for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 11:53 · LAC 1 · Score 0-6
(11:53) #64 Legursky reports as eligible receiver. 34-R.Mendenhall up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 11:49 · LAC 2 · Score 0-7
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 4:17 · LAC 19 · Score 0-13
(4:17) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 21-M.Moore for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 4:08 · LAC 2 · Score 0-14
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 1:33 · LAC 2 · Score 0-20
(1:33) 34-R.Mendenhall up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 1:28 · LAC 2 · Score 0-21
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 7:56 · LAC 6 · Score 0-27
(7:56) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 83-H.Miller for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 7:48 · LAC 2 · Score 0-28
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q3 1:40 · PIT 3 · Score 6-28
(1:40) (Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass short middle to 85-A.Gates for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on PIT-26-D.Townsend, Defensive Holding, declined.
Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q3 1:33 · PIT 2 · Score 7-28
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 12:57 · PIT 89 · Score 13-28
(12:57) (Punt formation) 5-M.Scifres punts 47 yards to PIT 42, Center-50-D.Binn. 11-S.Logan to PIT 41 for -1 yards (22-J.Hester). FUMBLES (22-J.Hester), RECOVERED by LAC-22-J.Hester at PIT 41. 22-J.He
Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 12:37 · PIT 2 · Score 14-28
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 7:24 · LAC 6 · Score 14-34
(7:24) 21-M.Moore pass short right to 83-H.Miller for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. #21 Moore throws the pass after taking the handoff from #7 Roethlisberger.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 7:18 · LAC 2 · Score 14-35
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda.
Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 5:57 · PIT 30 · Score 20-35
(5:57) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 17-P.Rivers pass deep left to 85-A.Gates for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 5:48 · PIT 2 · Score 21-35
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
Los Angeles Chargers TD (+6) — Q4 4:39 · PIT 13 · Score 27-35
(4:39) 17-P.Rivers pass short right to 89-C.Chambers for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Los Angeles Chargers XP (+1) — Q4 4:31 · PIT 2 · Score 28-35
10-N.Kaeding extra point is GOOD, Center-50-D.Binn, Holder-5-M.Scifres.
Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 0:48 · LAC 28 · Score 28-38
(:48) (Field Goal formation) 3-J.Reed 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Sepulveda. Penalty on LAC-31-A.Cromartie, Defensive Offside, declined.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Pittsburgh Steelers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- B. Roethlisberger (PIT) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Frequently asked questions
Who won Los Angeles Chargers vs Pittsburgh Steelers on 2009-10-04?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Los Angeles Chargers 38-28 in Week 4, 2009.
What was the score by quarter in Los Angeles Chargers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Q1: Los Angeles Chargers 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 14; Q2: Los Angeles Chargers 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q3: Los Angeles Chargers 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q4: Los Angeles Chargers 21, Pittsburgh Steelers 10; Final: Los Angeles Chargers 28, Pittsburgh Steelers 38.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Los Angeles Chargers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — R. Mendenhall (Q1 11:53) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — M. Moore (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 4:17) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — R. Mendenhall (Q2 1:33) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — H. Miller (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 7:56) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — A. Gates (P. Rivers pass) (Q3 1:40) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — J. Hester (Q4 12:57) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — H. Miller (M. Moore pass) (Q4 7:24) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — A. Gates (P. Rivers pass) (Q4 5:57) Los Angeles Chargers touchdown — C. Chambers (P. Rivers pass) (Q4 4:39) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Reed (Q4 0:48, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Los Angeles Chargers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Philip Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers), 51.2% completion, -2.3% CPOE, +0.21 EPA per dropback, +8.43 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 65.0% completion, +14.0% CPOE, +0.56 EPA per dropback, +22.23 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Los Angeles Chargers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +22.23 total EPA on Passing plays. across 40 snaps. Their top snap (+3.10 EPA): (4:17) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 21-M.Moore for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Season records after this game
Los Angeles Chargers
Entered 2-1 Now 2-2 L
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 1-2 Now 2-2 W