Madden Bye Week Bonus: Steelers at Chargers on ‘Sunday Night Football’

In Kansas City’s bye week, let’s simulate the Steelers-Chargers matchup in Madden.

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If you want to watch the simulation without spoilers, start this video — or if you can’t see it, click here.

First quarter

The Pittsburgh Steelers win the toss and immediately go three-and-out to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Following the punt, quarterback Justin Herbert comes out firing, connecting multiple times with Quentin Johnston to move across midfield and into Steelers territory. Pittsburgh’s run defense holds firm against running back Kimani Vidal, stopping him for a loss on both carries. However, the Steelers can’t

contain the Chargers’ passing attack.

Tight end Will Dissly picks up a first down on a play that begins with him blocking. Later in the drive, he slips out to haul in a touchdown on a deep out route, giving the Chargers the early lead.

On the Steelers’ next drive, their struggles continue. The first play goes for negative yardage as Aaron Rodgers is sacked — and once again, the Chargers’ defense keeps the pressure on. Pittsburgh comes up a yard short on third-and-12 and is forced to punt for the second time in the quarter — still searching for its first first down of the game.

End of first quarter: Chargers 7, Steelers 0

Second quarter

Herbert gets the Chargers to midfield. On third-and-10, he launches a deep shot to Keenan Allen — but with two Steelers defenders on him, the ball slips through his hands and falls incomplete. The Chargers are forced to punt.

Aaron Rodgers finally gets the Steelers’ offense moving, completing a 27-yard slant to Calvin Austin Jr. for the team’s first first down of the game, advancing to the 44-yard line.

DK Metcalf then drops a crucial pass that would’ve extended the drive, forcing Pittsburgh to punt for the third time.

On the ensuing possession, the Chargers move the ball with ease until Herbert’s pass over the middle to Allen is picked off by linebacker Patrick Queen — a huge turnover the Steelers desperately need.

Rodgers quickly capitalizes, finding Austin again on a curl route, and the speedy receiver turns it upfield for 32 yards to get inside the Chargers’ 15-yard line.

As the Steelers knock on the door late in the half, Rodgers goes down with an injury on a Chargers blitz, forcing an injury timeout with under two minutes remaining.

Backup quarterback Mason Rudolph enters the game. On his very first play, he takes a shot to the end zone — but cornerback Cam Hart picks him off.

The Chargers want to respond before halftime, but T.J. Watt makes another game-changing play, leaping to intercept a dump-off pass from Herbert to Vidal. Herbert manages to chase Watt down, tackling him just four yards shy of the end zone.

Rodgers returns after missing only one play, and the Steelers’ offense goes back to work. The Chargers’ defense holds firm through three downs, but on fourth-and-goal from the 1, Rodgers finds Metcalf on a simple drag route for the touchdown.

End of second quarter: Chargers 7, Steelers 7

Third quarter

As if this game couldn’t get any stranger, the Chargers’ fullback — apparently an afterthought to the Steelers’ defense — slips out on an out route and rumbles 25 yards deep into Pittsburgh territory. However, the Chargers’ offense stalls once inside the red zone and has to settle for a Cameron Dicker field goal.

The Steelers respond with a patient, methodical drive that chews up over five minutes of clock. They march 76 yards in 10 plays, capping it with a touchdown from Roman Wilson — the University of Michigan’s pride and joy — giving the Steelers their first lead of the game.

End of third quarter: Steelers 14, Chargers 10

Fourth quarter

The Steelers punt, giving the ball back to the Chargers with eight minutes remaining.

Justin Herbert leads a methodical drive downfield, connecting with Dissly three times to convert key third downs. Vidal finally finds some lanes, ripping off runs of 17 and 15 yards to keep the offense rolling.

Ladd McConkey then takes a handoff for 12 yards, setting the Chargers up inside the Steelers’ 5-yard line.

With under two minutes remaining and the Chargers facing third-and-goal at the 1, Herbert hands off to Vidal, who powers his way in for the touchdown that gives the Chargers a three-point lead.

On the Steelers’ final possession, poor clock management proves costly. Mike Tomlin’s squad can’t get a final snap off as the game clock expires, sealing the Chargers’ victory.

Final score: Chargers 17, Steelers 14