It’s a rematch of last year’s AFC Divisional Round Playoffs as the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) take on the Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) at Arrowhead Stadium.
This game will be featured on your local CBS station at 4:25 p.m. EST. I’ll be live blogging this one for your enjoyment, so point your computer or mobile device at GetMoreSports.com and hang out with me.
The Game: Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5)
O/U: 47.0
The History
The Steelers and Chiefs have played 33 games against each other since 1970. Pittsburgh holds a 22-11 advantage in the series.
Last year the Steelers knocked the Chiefs out of the playoffs at Arrowhead, 18-16, thanks to 170 yards from Le’Veon Bell.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (3-2)
Here’s what’s scary about this game. Ben Roethlisberger, after tossing five interceptions in a disastrous 30-9 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, said in his postgame media comments, “Maybe I just don’t have it anymore. I’m not playing well enough.”
That’s enough to make Steeler Nation fill their depends right there. Even if Roethlisberger bounces back this season, it almost certainly means he’ll be retiring at the end of the year. This is it for Big Ben and the only hope is he hasn’t already thrown in the towel early.
Roethlisberger’s assessment is accurate. He’s not been great. It’s just that until last week, he’s not been bad. This is a rough week to draw the Chiefs on the schedule unless the Roethlisberger of old shows up and knocks Kansas City off for their first loss. If the Steelers can do that, everything changes.
If that is going to happen, they’ll need the offense to protect the ball. It’s easier said than done against a defense with an elite secondary and pass rush. Le’Veon Bell needs to be a huge part of the gameplan Sunday and Roethlisberger can’t be afraid to take the dump offs and keep the ball out of the Cheifs’ hands.
Pittsburgh’s defense surrendered 181 yards and two touchdowns to Leonard Fournette so Kareem Hunt should look like the shark fin cutting through the surf in Jaws looming on the schedule. If the Steelers shut him down, they’ll be the first NFL team to do it in six tries.
Pittsburgh’s only injury of note is guard Ramon Foster who is officially questionable, but didn’t practice all week. I don’t expect him to play.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (5-0)
While Roethlisberger may be doubting himself, no one has any questions about Alex Smith. Facing off against the Texans defense, Smith went 29 of 37 for 324 yards and three touchdowns. He’s playing the best football of his life and has Kansas City in the driver’s seat in the AFC, regardless of the outcome of this game.
That being said, the deck is stacked against Pittsburgh. Hunt is coming of a 29 carry, 107 yard rushing game against Houston and Travis Kelce just continues to move the chains and work the seam against defenses. Last week he caught eight passes for 98 yards. Tyreek Hill has slowed down in recent weeks from the blistering pace he set in the first couple of games, but Smith has just spread the ball around to other guys like Chris Conley and the underrated Albert Wilson.
Head coach Andy Reid is working the NFL playbook like Stevie Ray Vaughn on the guitar, coming up with plays and formations that you never see in pro football. And they’re working. Consistently.
The Chiefs’ defense racked up three sacks and four stops for a loss against the Texans. They did give up a lot of yards, especially late, but Pittsburgh’s offense has been slow starting this season. If that happens again, they could be trailing too much in the fourth quarter for that to matter.
The Pick
I made the mistake of picking against the Chiefs last week and got burned. I won’t make it again. I’d hate to see Roethlisberger melt early before he gets to go out on his own terms. For that reason, I say he rebounds here, but it’s just not enough. Chiefs 30, Steelers 26
This week
Straight up: 0-1
Against the spread: 0-1
Last week
Straight up: 6-8
Against the spread: 6-8
Season
Straight up: 43-34
Against the spread: 38-39
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