Duel Opinions: Steelers/Chiefs Keys to the Game
Each week the Steel City Underground staff will put their brilliant minds to task in order to come up with their keys to the game, or, those players, coaching decisions, or situations which could determine the outcome of the game.
Terry Fletcher
Defense Coordinator Keith Butler said we will be seeing James Harrison on the field this weekend in KC. James has been non-existent in the first five games and even inactive for the last two.
After allowing more than 200 yards rushing in two of their past three games, the Steelers need to unleash James. With Harrison knowing how to get after Chiefs QB Alex Smith he can also show these young guys how to “set the edge” in the run game.
Nobody does it better than James and as Eric Flowers knows he’ll have his work cut out for him! With speedster WR Tyreek Hill and now newest speedy RB Kareem Hunt in KC’s backfield, my key to this game is James Harrison!
Tina Rivers
The Chiefs are riddled with injuries – offensive line, tight end, defensive line, linebackers, receivers. While the Steelers are relatively healthy, their mindset hasn’t been in the right place, at least on offense. Shutting down Kareem Hunt and Charcandrick “Moosey” West will be a big focus of the Steelers defense early, establishing dominance on the edges and preventing overpursuit in the opponent’s offensive backfield that results in a big play by the Chiefs.
Besides applying pressure to Alex Smith, expect Keith Butler to mix in some plays that drop the linebackers into short coverage. Demetrius Harris isn’t the threat Travis Kelce is at tight end, but he’ll need to be accounted for (he caught 3-of-3 passes last week).
Offensively, the Steelers receiving corps must rally around ‘Big Ben’. It’s time for someone to shine beside Antonio Brown. Watch for more action to JuJu Smith-Schuster on the outside with an expected return of Eli Rogers into the slot position. The O-line has to clean up their act, as well, and play through their blocks to not only allow Roethlisberger time to get back in rhythm but to give Le’Veon Bell and the rushing game a chance to advance them down the field and convert key downs.
The biggest key to this game is a mental recovery. The Steelers need to shake off the things that have been dragging them down and play a game that is as mistake-free as possible.
Mike Pelaia
The defense must stop the run, specifically the league’s leading rusher Kareem Hunt. Hunt is most likely licking his chops to face the leagues 28th ranked rush defense. Pittsburgh needs to show some different looks and consider finally playing James Harrison to help bolster the run defense. I also think they’d be best limiting the snaps that Bud Dupree sees as he hasn’t been very successful this season.
Brian E. Roach
I see two major keys to this game. First, eliminate mistakes. I hesitate to say the Steelers must play a perfect game, but it’s not far from that. They cannot make costly errors that result in drive-killing penalties. It goes almost without saying that ball security is crucial. If they lose the turnover battle in this game they will lose the game.
The second key is utilizing Le’Veon Bell. Not just in the running game, but more effectively in the passing game as well. Bell needs to be more of a mid to downfield threat and less of just a safety valve in the passing attack. If he wants to be paid as the RB and number 2 receiver, then make him the number 2 receiver. Bell needs to show that route running ability and skill that everyone thinks he has. Getting Bell on track for a monster game is critical to coming back from KC with a victory.
Joe Kuzma
The only key that matters this week is that the Steelers do not beat themselves. That means playing mistake-free football, be it penalties, turnovers, or missed tackles.
Obviously, the more mistakes, the higher the risk of losing. When analyzing how such a talented team can drop games to the Chicago Bears or Jacksonville Jaguars, you have to see what kept those teams in the game: self-defeating penalties, self-defeating missed opportunities on tackles and self-defeating turnovers.
It will have to be much cleaner this Sunday or Kansas City will run away with the game. It won’t even be close if Pittsburgh continues on their same path of playing sloppy football.
Eric Herrmann
I’m not going to get cute with my key – it’s Ben Roethlisberger. While I try and defend Ben as much as I can, nobody can deny he’s been off this season.
We saw last week how the Steelers seemed to have control over the game until Ben started turning over the ball repeatedly. Maybe it’s him, maybe it’s the play calls, I don’t know and I’m not looking to assign blame anywhere. All I do know is that if the Steelers want to compete this year they need Ben to step up. This week is especially huge because the Steelers are facing the current best team in the league.
Honestly, at this point, I mainly want to see the Steelers compete. Obviously, I want us to win the game, but I will be content if at the minimum the Steelers ball out and prove they can run with the best. This all starts with Ben.
Tommy Jaggi
The key to this game for the Steelers is the quality of play from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. It’s no surprise to any Steelers fan that Big Ben has not had his best start to a season in his career. Statistically, you have to dig all the way back to 2006 since the last time Ben threw 7 interceptions in the first five weeks of the season – 11 years ago.
The Chiefs are a very good team – perhaps the best in the league right now. They can play defense, run the ball, and (for the first time in forever) they have developed a solid passing attack.
Talent-wise, however, the Steelers can hold their own against Kansas City. They have a top-shelf receiving core, an upper tier offensive line, and a defense that has played some of its best football in years. Contrary to what he might have done years past, Roethlisberger is no longer carrying this football team – he is hindering it.
If Ben can get himself out of this funk and even start playing like a top 15 quarterback again, the Steelers will have a chance to resuscitate their season and prove why they belong in the discussion for one of the best teams in the league.
