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NFL: Pittsburgh 35, San Diego 24

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Pittsburgh Steelers Brett Keisel sacks San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) for a loss of eight yards in the fourth quarter of the Steelers' 35-24 victory over the San Diego Chargers in the AFC divisional playoff game at Heinz Field on January 11, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (UPI Photo/Archie Carpenter) 
Published: Jan. 11, 2009 at 8:40 PM

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh's Willie Parker ran for two TD's and Santonio Holmes scored on a 67-yard punt return Sunday in a 35-24 Steelers' AFC playoff win over San Diego.

The Steelers (13-4) and arch-rival Baltimore Ravens will clash in Pittsburgh next week to decide who goes to the Super Bowl as AFC champion.

San Diego (9-9) scored first on a 41-yard Philip Rivers pass to Vincent Jackson and had a 10-7 lead before the Steelers broke away by scoring 21 straight points from late in the second quarter to early in the fourth. Parker's first touchdown, a 3-yarder just before halftime, started the Steelers' run.

Parker, who totaled 146 yards rushing, also scored on a 16-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Holmes made his touchdown dash in the first quarter, tying the game after San Diego had opened the scoring.

Pittsburgh's other scores came on an 8-yard Ben Roethlisberger pass to Heath Miller and a 1-yard run by Gary Russell.

Rivers passed for 308 yards and three touchdowns. His other scoring tosses were for 4 yards to Legedu Naanee and 62 yards to Darren Sproles. Nate Kaeding booted a 41 yard field goal for the other Chargers' points.

San Diego played without running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who sat out with a groin injury.

Topics: Willie Parker
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