Steelers @ Chiefs - Playoffs Addition

Thought I'd get this thread started with my opinions on this match-up.

By now, anyone not living under a rock has heard how the Steelers are pushing the underdog role they find themselves in for this matchup. It's nice to think the Chiefs will look past this team, somehow sleep through the 60-minute matchup, and wake up with a loss. Accuse me of being a Steelers fan while I explain how the Steelers can win this game and the Chiefs actually take the game seriously (which I'm certain they will). These keys to victory are focused on what the Steelers need to do to win and not on what the Chiefs need to screw up to lose. Yes, it would be great if Mahomes throws 4 picks and fumbles away another 2 possessions, but let's assume the Chiefs don't fall apart.

Offense:

• Offensive Line: These guys need to play their best game of the season. Give Ben time to find his receivers, beyond the 1.2 second quick releases, and open running holes for whoever happens to have the ball. The Chiefs are in the bottom part of the league for sacks (31 vs 55 for the Steelers) and are average at best against the run.
  
  
• Freiermuth: The Chiefs as a team, and in particular their LBs, are not good covering TEs. I bitched about the lack of throws to Freiermuth in the first game and the Steelers need to change that in this matchup. I know Canada has an issue designing pass routes that attack the middle of the field, but this is the game the middle of the field should be targeted.
  
  
• Najee: I don't think Najee has to have a 100 yard game to win, although that would be nice. But at least 90 yards will force the Chiefs defense to not just pass rush all day and hold those LBs just long enough to get receivers running past them on pass plays. Additionally, running Freiermuth up the middle of the field should open that underneath area for Najee on pass plays. I'd like to see Freiermuth on a seam route, Najee start toward the flat (pulling whoever is responsible for coving him in that direction), then cut back to the middle of the field well ahead of the defender.
  
  
• Claypool: He has absolutely underperformed this year given the massive talent he has. He needs to make some splash plays. He has 2 TDs for the season... that's TWO! He had a TD last week and another in week 4 against the Broncos. It would be helpful if he finds a way to score twice in this game and not just a goal line toss. He needs to have a lengthy catch and run to get those Chiefs defenders on their heels.
  
  
• Ben: I don't think he needs to have a huge game if the above happen. But he does need to play without turnovers. No turnovers will go a long way for this team.
  

Defense:

• Not TJ or Heyward: These guys do need to have their typical big games. It would be great if TJ rented space on Mahomes chest. But I'm looking for Highsmith to pester Mahomes. Force him to run toward TJ or just plain take him down. Adams, Wormley and gang need to win their one-on-one battles when the Chiefs double TJ and Heyward. It would be great to see non-stars make big plays.
  
  
• Edmunds: He did well covering Andrews last week and will need to play even better against Kelce. Andrews had 8 catches (at least 1 was against Bush) on 16 targets. That's not bad. You're not going to shut Kelce down, but limit him they must. Edmunds needs to ball.
  
  
• LBs: Like the O-line, this group needs to play their best game. Honestly, if they can play well against the run, I think the rest starts to fall in place. Making the Chiefs a one-dimensional offense will allow the #1 sack defense in the league to get after it. Also it would be great if this group caused a turnover.
  
  
• Stop Pringle:  It might not necessarily be Pringle, but the point is to not allow a non-star to look like a star. Pringle was that guy in the first matchup.
  

Special Teams:

• Punting: Whoever ends up punting needs to be at least average. You can't let the Chiefs have great field position because of a shanked punt.
  
  
• Boswell: SPOILER ALERT!!! He's going to kick the game winner!
  

Great write-up as always, Captain. I'll add one thing to your list ... no stupid mistakes, like Johnson's self fumble a few weeks ago.

My thing is that this is NOT a team that showed us they can beat anyone. They came out and beat Buffalo and proceeded to show who they really are. A subpar offense and a banged up defense.
I'd love to see all the things KR and Wally said happen. Solid blocking from the o-line. Well though out game plans on defense and offense and the ability to adjust if necessary. Have we seen any of this so far this season? Nope.

Breaking news: Juju will indeed play tomorrow night. Huge boost for the offense

Yay so now Ben can throw 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage to Juju!!!

solardave wrote:

My thing is that this is NOT a team that showed us they can beat anyone. They came out and beat Buffalo and proceeded to show who they really are. A subpar offense and a banged up defense.
I'd love to see all the things KR and Wally said happen. Solid blocking from the o-line. Well though out game plans on defense and offense and the ability to adjust if necessary. Have we seen any of this so far this season? Nope.

I do agree that we most likely won't see a world beater of a team today. This may be a game where the Steelers are able to get the Chiefs in the gutter, keep it close, and maybe pull it off at the end.

It's doubtful the Steelers are a team that limps into the playoffs and somehow gets hot. Maybe, but I tend to agree with most on this site that they don't quite have the talent to make a deep playoff run this season. However, I very much appreciate the fact this fairly young team will have an opportunity to experience a playoff game in a hostile environment.

Hmm let's see... another run run pass three an out?

Great start

3 and out #2 two terrible passes to noone..Noone...

Hmm will they get a first down on their 3rd possession?

Nope!

1st down finally on their 4th possession!

Johnson drops it... lol

False start Johnson... wtf

Ben with the garbage not even close pass... and PUNT

Defense is playing lights out so far.

You get a pick and can't turn it into any points. Not gonna win many games like that

Worst run defense in football... I wonder when is the last time you can say that about the Steelers...

And yet they're not running on us....

Defense is doing more then it's job...

SteelerFreak58 wrote:

Defense is doing more then it's job...

Agree!

Time for the O to Step Up!

What in the fuck?

3rd and 2 and you throw a bomb against double coverage... stupid

T.J. WATT!!!!!

Lol TJ!!! Facemask to TD!!!