The Steelers put on an impressive clinic on how to assume total control of a football game in Sunday's AFCDivisional playoff against the San Diego Chargers.

The Chargers had gathered some momentum late in the second quarter when the Steelers tried a direct snap on a punt near midfield and failed to gain a first down. San Diego then took a 10-7 lead following Nate Kaeding's 42-yard field goal with 1:56 remaining.

That was just enough time to run the two-minute drill. The no-huddle offense was what the Steelers offense needed, and, in the process, Pittsburgh threw the Chargers defense into a tailspin.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger engineered a seven-play, 66-yard drive that was capped by a Willie Parker 3-yard run.

The Chargers had seen a 10-7 lead change into a 14-10 deficit. The Steelers didn't just the grab the lead on the scoreboard, they took a psychological one as well. In the second half, they added physical and emotional advantages to their list.

The Steelers were able to benefit from a double score by scoring a touchdown right before halftime, then adding another one to start the second half.

The Steelers used 7:56 to open the third quarter, going on a 13-play, 77-yard drive. Before the Chargers were getting ready to take their first real drive, they saw a 3-point lead flip-flop into an 11-point hole.

A 63-yard kickoff return by Darren Sproles gave the Chargers great field position, but Steelers linebacker Larry Foote intercepted Philip Rivers on the first play.

The Steelers burned the rest of the time in the quarter, giving the Chargers one offensive play and one kick return for a total of 17 seconds in the period.

The Steelers did punt, which hit a Chargers player and was recovered by William Gay. The Steelers went on to score on that drive, which wound up being another 13-play, 77-yard drive that took up another 7:56.

The Steelers' final score, a 16-yard scamper by Parker, culminated a nine-play, 73-yard drive that consumed 4:58.

The Chargers did have two fourth-quarter touchdowns, but it was a little too late. The 152 yards the Chargers received in their final two drives made up more than half of the team's 290 total yards.

The Steelers took an inopportune moment and used it to turn themselves around and propel the team to the AFCchampionship.

Pittsburgh accomplished part of its goal, but it has bigger fish to fry. The Steelers get the chance to do it at home against the Baltimore Ravens.

Long sustained drives like the Steelers put together Sunday most likely won't happen against the Ravens.

But a couple of time-consuming drives — and a double score — can go a long way in helping the Steelers make the Super Bowl.