Quick Yinzing: Steelers defeat the last undefeated team in the NFL
The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs in what can only be called another heart attack waiting to happen for Steelers fans, with a game that was tight right up until the end.
Here are some quick thoughts on the game.
First, the defense dominated until they started playing a little too loose toward the end of the game. Pittsburgh allowed two quick scores in the fourth quarter.
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Like others, I’m a bit disappointed in S Mike Mitchell, who missed a sack and was then penalized on the same play for following through with a low hit on Chiefs QB Alex Smith for roughing the passer. Kansas City converted a short pass for 37 yards which had another 12 yards tacked onto the end of the play, setting the Chiefs offense up on the Steelers doorstep at the 12-yard line.
Artie Burns had a mixed game. He came up big on some plays but then was lost for a few of them, turning his back on receivers in zone coverage. He will need to correct that or consider him on the Tomlin hot seat next week.
Part of the anxiety in watching this game is witnessing the Steelers trying to run time off of the clock and maintain possession. I felt they gave Kansas City too many opportunities at the end of the game by not controlling the ball.
On the other hand, the Steelers defense only gave up six total yards to the league’s top offense during the first half. Even if Big Ben and company were coming up empty-handed, they did a great job in helping Jordan Berry and the special teams unit pin the Chiefs deep in their own territory for most of the game. You always want points, but unlike previous weeks, controlling field position was a major key to today’s win.
Of course, those who know me know I loved seeing James Harrison come up big with pressure on Alex Smith most of the game, and of course, a HUGE sack with less than a minute left in the 4th quarter that forced KC into a 4th and long situation. They were unable to convert, which essentially led to a victory formation for the Steelers.
I would be remiss if I didn’t shout out to the great Antonio Brown in what could have been a second interception by Ben Roethlisberger after a ball deflection off the helmet of a KC defender. Somehow it went Pittsburgh’s way with Brown’s uncanny concentration sticking with the play and somehow finding the ball in his hands en route to sprinting upfield for a touchdown.
The Steelers had many chances not to salt the game away, but a win is a win. And this was a big win, with playoff tiebreaking implications in the AFC. They will take it heading back home to play a rested Cincinnati team while the other teams in the AFC North lost today, helping Pittsburgh rest easy in first place for at least one week.
