SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers did what they had to do, but did not get enough help to make the playoffs.
Kordell Stewart threw for 206 yards and rushed for two touchdowns as Pittsburgh posted its fourth win in five games with a 34-21 victory over the lowly San Diego Chargers.
For Pittsburgh (9-7) to make the playoffs, it needed to win today and have the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts lose their games. The Jets lost to Baltimore earlier in the day, but the Colts defeated Minnesota to clinch the final playoff spot in the AFC.
"I don't have too much to say," Steelers coach Bill Cowher said. "I really have mixed emotions. Unfortunately, our season came to an end today. We gave a galliant effort. We may have fell short of the playoffs but we made some giant strides."
If not for some faulty officiating, the Steelers could have made the playoffs. In losses to Cleveland, Philadelphia and Tennessee, the NFL issued apologies to the Steelers for critical mistakes by officials that affected the outcome of those games.
"We just stuck with it," Stewart said of the finish. "All the players and coaches can take the credit. The whole organization can be proud."
Stewart's day did not get off to a good start. Minutes after Pittsburgh's Will Blackwell returned a kick 98 yards for a touchdown that tied the game, 7-7, Stewart threw an interception that safety Rodney Harrison returned 63 yards for a score as San Diego regained the lead.
But "Slash" began to make amends in the second quarter. With 8:43 left before halftime, he found Courtney Hawkins from five yards out for a 14-14 tie.
Stewart got a break on Pittsburgh's next possession when an interception by Fred Brown was nullified after Chargers linebacker Junior Seau went offsides. Stewart ran for 19 yards on the next play and lafter completed a 10-yard pass to Hawkins to set up Kris Brown's go-ahead, 32-yard field goal with 2:14 left.
Pittsburgh shut down San Diego on the ensuing possession, leading to Stewart backbreaking 19-yard TD run with 55 seconds remaining that pushed the lead to 24-14.
"Kordell's a great player and he did a great job of running the ball," Seau said. "Scrambling around and improvising, those are the things you can not practice against. When you have an athlete that can run the ball and pass the ball, you have a double threat."
The Chargers threatened on their second possession of the second half and moved the ball into Pittsburgh territory, but Nakia Codie picked off a Ryan Leaf pass at the Steelers 7. Stewart could not take advantage as Harrison intercepted another of his passes at the Pittsburgh 28.
"Those are the things that have to be fixed and a focus of in the offseason," Chargers running back Terrell Fletcher said of the turnovers. "You can will a lot of games if you don't turn the ball over. We just have to get better at it. Turnovers can change the momentum of the game."
San Diego used its newly-founded momentum and cut the deficit back to three with 4:45 left in the third quarter on Fletcher's one-yard plunge.
Not to be outdone, Stewart put the game away with 12:51 left with a one-yard score of his own. He had nine carries for 76 yards.
"The way we finished up the season was very gratifying, except for not making the playoffs," Stewart said. "I personally persevered through all of the naysayers and that is going to help me in the months ahead."
Stewart's second TD was set up by a controversial call. On a 3rd-and-7 play, Hawkins appeared to be out of bounds when he hauled in a 30-yard pass. But after a lengthy review, the officials let the play stand and gave the Steelers the ball at the San Diego 1.
Leaf completed 15-of-29 yards for 171 yards with an interception and fumble with just under two minutes left. He threw a 71-yard TD pass to Jeff Graham just under two minutes into the game.
"I thought he made some plays," Chargers coach Mike Riley said of Leaf. "I thought he had some rough moments also, like the whole offense did."
Pittsburgh outgained San Diego, 316-171, including a 131-31 advantage on the ground. The Steelers used their strong ground game to hold the ball for 39:21.
Jerome Bettis rushed for 51 yards on 26 carries for the Steelers.
San Diego became the first team to finish 1-15 since the Jets in 1996. The Chargers finished the worst season in the 41-year history of the franchise and already have secured the top pick in April's NFL draft.
"It's been commonplace for us to lose this year," Chargers fullback Fred McCrary said. "I just can't wait to put this season behind me and I can't wait for next year. Hopefully, we make some changes to upgrade the team and we'll be back next year."
Despite their porous year, the Chargers will have Riley back next season. Last Saturday, Riley was informed by team president Dean Spanos that he would return.
Pittsburgh leads the all-time series, 17-7.
