Chiefs 12-20 Steelers, final
So the Steelers clinch a playoff spot in an important win for them, while Kansas City have now lost three of their last four games and will need a whole lot of help to sneak into the post-season now.
Pittsburgh play error free football at home, Rothlisberger is just 18/25 with 220 yards and a TD pass to Antonio Brown, on a day where Bell managed just 63 yards on the ground, sneaking in for one touchdown.
That will do it for out live week 16 coverage - thank you for reading, and wherever you are, good morning, good afternoon, and good night.
Worst. Onside. Kick. Ever.
— Bob Fescoe (@bobfescoe) December 21, 2014
Well, let’s just say Santos didn’t get the bounce he would’ve liked.
Chiefs 12-20 Steelers, 1:36, 4th quarter
Santos kicks - it’s to the right, and it’s an easy play for Will Johnson.
Ho hum.
That’ll do it.
FIELD GOAL! Chiefs 12-20 Steelers, 1:37, 4th quarter
It’s good from 23 yards out, and it’s onside kick time....
By the way, Smith has over 300 yards today, which is kind of amazing. But to only have 12 points from it? Eesh.
Pittsburgh call their final time out to further prepare for the onside kick.
Chiefs 9-20 Steelers, 1:40, 4th quarter
It’s 3rd & 14.
Smith, over the middle - it’s Charles, who picks up 11 and takes the ball down to the five. Not enough.
KC call their third and final timeout and here comes the kicker.
Chiefs 9-20 Steelers, 1:53, 4th quarter
Smith, in the shotgun - takes the snap, passes to Charles out of the backfield but he can’t come up with it.
Third and long.
Alex Smith leading 4th quarter comebacks. #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/ypG0xsFM6s
— jhawk4life (@jhawk4life) December 21, 2014
Chiefs 9-20 Steelers, 1:56, 4th quarter
3rd & 10 now, Smith finds Kelce on the right side for ten yards, just enough for a fresh set of downs as the drive stays alive.
One last play before the warning, Smith, running he’s hit! The ball is loose but he’s ruled down!
When we return, 2nd & 14, from the Steelers 16.
Chiefs 9-20 Steelers, 2:35, 4th quarter
The Steelers are four minutes away from clinching a playoff spot and their fans can feel it. Chiefs at midfield to start after the penalty helps their field position.
So can their defense - they’re chasing Smith who has to get rid of it at the last moment - it’s a nasty little fling but it does the job. Incomplete.
On 3rd & 2, Smith finds Avant for eight and a first down, but time keeps on moving...
Now Charles has a pass, running to the far sideline for 12 yards but he stays in bounds.
A tipped pass stops the clock. Ball at the Pittsburgh 22.
I kinda wanna fight somebody too.
— Arrowhead Addict (@ArrowheadAddict) December 21, 2014
Chiefs fans frustrated by the lack of big plays on offense. Their defense has been stellar.
FIELD GOAL! Chiefs 9-20 Steelers, 4:05, 4th quarter
Suisham connects from 23 yards out and then the fireworks begin. Helmets are off - Martin and Foster go at it, and the latter gets 15 yards for unnecessary roughness to be assesed on the kickoff.
But the big news is that Pittsburgh have re-established that two score lead with a bit over four minutes remaining. Smith has been good today overall, but we all know he can’t throw downfield, which is troublesome in this spot.
Chiefs 9-17 Steelers, 4:09, 4th quarter
On 3rd & 7, Roethlisberger has Miller again, but this time he’s short of the first down.
Here comes the field goal unit, after KC call their second timeout.
Chiefs 9-17 Steelers, 4:21, 4th quarter
Ben in the shotgun on 3rd & 7. Facing pressure, serious pressure - he’s hit as he throws but FINDS MILLER! It’s a first down and a gain of 10 to the KC 11!
The tight end caught it with his fingertips, helping Pittsburgh out of trouble on third and long - classy stuff right there.
Bell runs to the right, and the Chiefs call for time. They have two timeouts left.
Updated
Chiefs 9-17 Steelers, 6:39, 4th quarter
Bell, chewing up yards and clock - he breaks to the outside, running right for seven.
Now it’s 3rd & 3, KC jump outside - Ben sees the flag and throws down field looking for Antonio Brown....it’s incomplete, but Fleming is hit with a pass interference call!
So instead of it being just a five-yard penalty, the Steelers are set up on the KC 21. That is heads up play by Pittsburgh to keep on playing after the flag was thrown.
Chiefs 9-17 Steelers, 7:48, 4th quarter
Steelers begin at their 25 and looking to chew away some clock here.
Roethlisberger is in after hyperextending his leg a bit on the TD play.
A pair of runs to the right by Bell make it 3rd & 4. Then Ben finds Brown in the slot - he beats Owens on a slant for a gain of 14 yards and an important first down.
We’re under eight minutes now. KC have all of their timouts, Pittsburgh have one remaining.
Twitter is not so sweet on the taunting call against Gay....
Will Gay called for taunting...Lawrence Timmons? pic.twitter.com/PfL7oZB89W
— Dave Dameshek (@Dameshek) December 21, 2014
FIELD GOAL! Chiefs 9-17 Steelers, 10:18, 4th quarter
So the taunting penalty by Gay leads to KC’s third field goal of the game - Santos is good from 43 yards away.
Chiefs 6-17 Steelers, 11:08, 4th quarter
Smith hits Charles, and he runs for a gain of 16 - big chunks falling off here for Pittsburgh - KC are on their 28!
Now there’s a big 3rd & 7 coming up...Smith back to pass, fires...incomplete - Smith was looking for Thomas.
Here comes the field goal unit to try and make it a one-score game.
Chiefs 6-17 Steelers, 12:15, 4th quarter
Smith is complete to but well short of the first down.
But guess what? Timmons hit Kelce after a little gain of two yards, and the celebrating Gay is hit with a taunting penalty. First down Chiefs!
Wow, talk about the break of all breaks. Can KC cash in? They’re on their 40 with a fresh set of downs.
Next play - Smith is on the run! How about that! It’s 11 yards, and there’s a flag! Spence is done for defensive holding, and that tacks on five more.
Pittsburgh best settle down, don’t ya think?
Updated
Chiefs 6-17 Steelers, 12:42, 4th quarter
Smith is incomplete throwing deep, and on 3rd & 7, he finds Davis on a quick pass with a speedy Knile breaking free.
That’s a key first down.
But here come Pittsburgh again! Jason Worilds and Cameron Heyward destroy Smith after breaking through the line! That’s a loss of seven!
A little pass for Fasano yields just a single yard, so now it’s 3rd & 17...
.@steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger banged knees with defender. Knee hyperextension vs quad contusion. Should return. Will update. #FantasyZone
— Dr. Mark Adickes (@jocktodoc) December 21, 2014
Chiefs 6-17 Steelers, end of 3rd quarter
Now the Chiefs have some work to do, down two scores with 15 minutes to go. Charles, banged up earlier, runs for three yards to finish an eventful third quarter.
When we return, it’s 2nd & 7 on the KC 20.
TOUCHDOWN! Chiefs 6-17 Steelers, 0:34, 3rd quarter
Roethlisberger, hanging in the pocket, has to wiggle out of trouble and chucks it at the last possible moment to Brown in the middle of the endzone for a touchdown!
Ben took a big hit and looked awkward on the play, hanging in there under serious pressure.
He limps off the field, but doesn’t look too bad. We’ll follow that one of course.
Another really long drive in this game - this time it’s 10 plays, 75 yards in 5:52.
Chiefs 6-10 Steelers, 0:40, 3rd quarter
After Howard is offsides for KC, Bell runs it down to the five.
On second down, Roethlisberger looks endzone, but Brown bobbles it - and KC had just 10 men on the field!
Reid is already getting hammered on twitter by Chiefs fans and that won’t help.
Bell pushes his way to a first down on 3rd & 1, so now it’s first and goal on the four.
Chiefs 6-10 Steelers, 2:18, 3rd quarter
Bell, moving right, switching gears and cutting left around the line for four yards, and that’s all he needed for a first down.
Pittsburgh are on the 14, but have to burn a timeout with the play clock winding down. That’s their second after forfeiting their first on a challenge call.
Chiefs 6-10 Steelers, 3:42, 3rd quarter
So here comes Pittsburgh, and after a fake to Brown, Big Ben fires to Miller for 17 yards, into KC territory.
Now he has time - and hits Brown on the near side, down to the 24, but there’s a flag.
It’s illegal contact on Owens, and it’s declined. That’s a 19-yard pickup right there, and Roethisberger is licking his chops right now.
PLAY UNDER REVIEW! Chiefs 6-10 Steelers, 6:26, 3rd quarter
The call stands - that’s the first fumble of the game, Pittsburgh take over at their 25.
PLAY UNDER REVIEW! Chiefs 6-10 Steelers, 6:26, 3rd quarter
Charles coughs it up and the Steelers’ Vince Williams has it...but now we’re left to wonder if his knees were down before the fumble. Andy Reid is challenging the call - the same Reid who did not challenge the Roethlisberger would-be fumble in the first quarter.
Stand by.
PLAY UNDER REVIEW! Chiefs 6-10 Steelers, 7:14, 3rd quarter
The refs say the play stands, and I think this is the kind of minescule stuff that just clogs up the NFL. The dude caught the ball, OK?
Pittsburgh lose a timeout.
So it’s 1st & 10 on the Steelers 32 when the dust settles.
PLAY UNDER REVIEW! Chiefs 6-10 Steelers, 7:14, 3rd quarter
Smith finds Avant for 15 on a short play to the left side, then it’s Avant again, this tim for six more.
Smith is incomplete in search of Wilson setting up a 3rd & 4, and Smith has Kelce! The tight end is running a post route and beats coverage for a big third down conversion. The 13-yard gain takes KC to the Pittsburgh 31...or does it.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is challenging the ruling of a complete pass, arguing that Kelce didn’t have control.
Chiefs 6-10 Steelers, 9:37, 3rd quarter
Justin Houston gets to Roethlisberger for a sack and a loss of six! It’s a short-lived drive that ends after Brown’s nine-yard catch isn’t enough for a new set of downs.
Steelers punt it away, KC start on their 27.
Jamaal Charles
He’s been banged up and now they’re looking at his ankle on the sideline - obviously that’s a concern for Chiefs fans.
James Harrison just sacked Alex Smith (again) and then hauled him upright like he was one of his sons.
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) December 21, 2014
Chiefs 6-10 Steelers, 12:04, 3rd quarter
Wow! Play-action! He’s looking deep for Wilson but overthrows an open receiver. That’s a rare throw downfield by Smith.
And it’s 3rd & 4. Smith is in the shotgun, in the pocket, facing pressure and here comes Harrison. HARRISON again - the Steelers take down the Chiefs QB for the fourth time this afternoon, and KC have to punt.
It’s their first of the game, amazingly.
Antonio Brown calls for a fair catch at the 12.
Updated
We're back!
Smith fires away, and it’s not a screen - Bowe is available in the middle of the field for 9 yards, then Charles takes a short run for first down yardage up to the 35.
Big “statement” drive here for KC.
Stats
So the running backs have been taken out of the game and the result are yards in the air. Smith and his short passing game is 15/20 for 177 yards, Roethlisberger is 10/15 for 131. Wilson has 87 yards, leading all receivers.
KC’s inability to punch it into the endzone has cost them thus far, but give Andy Reid credit for trying to make things happen on the road. He’s going down with his boots on.
Out of town scoreboard
- Browns 3-10 Panthers
- Lions 7-7 Bears
- Ravens 0-16 Texans
- Vikings 17-7 Dolphins
- Falcons 13-7 Saints
- Patriots 10-7Jets
- Packers 10-3 Buccaneers
So upset specials kicking around in there for sure...
Charles NOT in charge .Steelers hold on 4th and short Timmons has been a tackle machine...over 120 tackles in the season....well done
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) December 21, 2014
Chiefs 6-10 Steelers, end 2nd quarter
Talk about a momentum shift - that’s a powerful message sent by the Steelers to KC as they slither into the lockers for half-time.
AS CBS point out, KC get the ball to start the second half, so why not take the points and have another crack at it?
Good question.
Chiefs 6-10 Steelers, 0:20, 2nd quarter
Charles is STUFFED! The Steeler D deny KC on 4th and blades of grass! What a stand - Timmons got there first and KC walk away with nothing!
Chiefs 6-10 Steelers, 0:27, 2nd quarter
Thomas’ knee was down, but it’s very hard to judge from the replays. So the evidence is not overwhelming. They stop his forward progress and measure.
It’s short. So it’s fourth down and centimeters. They’re going for it or what?
It looks like it! Everybody up in Pittsburgh!
PLAY UNDER REVIEW! Chiefs 6-10 Steelers, 0:33, 2nd quarter
Smith, in the shotgun. He dumps to Thomas who runs towards the sideline before Mitchell takes him down - is it enough for a first down? Thomas’ knee may have been down as he extended his arm in a bid to get the required yardage.
This play will be reviewed. Stand by.
Chiefs 6-10 Steelers, 0:36, 2nd quarter
Thomas takes the handoff and gets pushed back - FAR BACK! James Harrison is nasty - that’s a loss of six on the play.
Thomas comes right back though - another short pass in the middle of the field gets 12.
So it’s 3rd & 4 with time ticking away...
Chiefs 6-10 Steelers, 2:00, 2nd quarter
KC start at their 16. Charles begins their third drive with a seven-yard gallop. Then another quick pass, undoubtedly a strategy by the Chiefs, to Bowe (who had the flu all week) - it’s a 12 yard gain around the near sideline.
Another short route here - Smith throws high and Wilson tracks it down, turns and runs, and RUNS! He gets to the far sideline and has a 33-yard pickup!
Here’s more, Smith finds Bowe, again, to the Steeler 21 as we hit the two-minute warning!
What a start from Smith here who has been incredibly efficient and accurate!
Tim finds the holding...good spot.
Good call on the defensive holding. Bryant did a swim move inside and the defender hooked him with his right arm.
— Tim Bowers (@TimBowers62) December 21, 2014
TOUCHDOWN! Chiefs 6-10 Steelers, 4:18, 2nd quarter
Bell runs right and bounces in - it’s just the third rushing touchdown that Kansas City have allowed all season long.
It’s a solid drive that gives the Steelers the lead, and perhaps more importantly, gives their defense a blow. Their 80-yard march ate up 5:07 over 11 plays.
Chiefs 6-3 Steelers, 4:22, 2nd quarter
Roethlisberger looks for Bryant but it’s incomplete! Now there’s a flag - it’s defensive holding on Ron Parker! What?? Andy Reid is not happy, at all, and he may have a legitimate reason. No one can find the holding.
Chiefs 6-3 Steelers, 4:25, 2nd quarter
Roethlisberger wants Miller again but he can’t hang on in the back of the endzone.
So it’s 3rd and goal...
Chiefs 6-3 Steelers, 4:38, 2nd quarter
We’ve seen this before - Roethlisberger to Miller, right over the middle! It’s a 14 yard gain and now it’s first and goal at the six.
Now a little shovel pass to Miller, who has it again and is down to the one!
Chiefs 6-3 Steelers, 5:58, 2nd quarter
Bell just can’t get it going - he has a little three yard run that sets up a 3rd & 7. Big Ben hooks up with Wheaton, who is on the far sideline, for 13 yards and a first down.
Now the QB dumps one off to Bell in the middle of the field and now his wheels are turning a bit - he runs for nine yards, and maybe that’s what he needed to power up.
And that’s what he does on the next play, use power to push the pack for a short, first down run. Pittsburgh are at the KC 21.
Updated
Chiefs 6-3 Steelers, 8:20, 2nd quarter
Roethisberger carves out two chunks of field - first there’s a catch and run to Antonio Brown for 17, then he hits the tight end, Heath Miller for 15. Just like that, the home team are across midfield and at the KC 48.
The #Chiefs have not had a WR catch a TD pass since December 8th, 2013....
— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) December 21, 2014
Wow, that’s kind of ridiculous.
FIELD GOAL! Chiefs 6-3 Steelers, 9:25, 2nd quarter
So once again we see the Steelers defense to that bending not breaking thing we hear about. Santos is good from 25, and that caps another long drive - 12 plays in 6:10 and 44 yards.
KC have more or less doubled up Pittsburgh in the time of possession battle - 13:19 to 7:16, mostly with the passing game.
Steelers start from their 20.
Chiefs 3-3 Steelers, 9:52, 2nd quarter
A two-yard run by Charles, then an incomplete pass with Smith looking for Bowe.
Another big third down - terrible towels wave in Pittsburgh.
Smith is running, running, can’t turn the corner on the near side as he’s chased out of bounds!
Here comes the field goal unit again, likely for real this time - although I think we would all really enjoy two field goal fakes on one drive - that’s positively Madden-ish.
FAKE! Chiefs 3-3 Steelers, 10:31, 2nd quarter
Dustin Colquitt feeds Travis Kelce, who then runs around the paack to the far sideline and that’s enough for a first down!
Razzle dazzle by Andy Reid and his Chiefs with a fake field goal!
It’s first and goal to go from the six!
Chiefs 3-3 Steelers, 12:00, 2nd quarter
Bowe has a five-yard catch on a quick toss by Smith - that makes it 3rd & 5 now.
The crowd is up as Thomas has a catch on the far sideline but he is wrapped up at the 12.
So the Steelers hold again, and here comes the field goal unit.
Chiefs 3-3 Steelers, 12:39, 2nd quarter
Smith feels Steeler heat and throws it away before burning a timeout with the play clock was running down.
Chiefs 3-3 Steelers, 13:19, 2nd quarter
Smith is loving that screen - here’s another one, near side, to Charles.
Flags fly on and after the play following a little football scuffle, always laim. There’s a roughing the passer call on Will Allen, then a late hit charged to Travis Kelce. They offset, so it’s like it never happened at all.
The Steelers run stoppers are out now - first Charles is jammed up, then Davis.
So it’s 3rd & 8. Smith, has time, fires, and finds Dwayne Bowe, who gets leveled by Antwon Blake on the near sideline. That looked like a shot to the head to me but no call. It’s a 13-yard gain and another Chiefs first down at the Steelers 18.
Chiefs 3-3 Steelers, end of 1st quarter
How about this - Smith, again, finding a streaking Wilson on a crossing route! That’s a 19-yard pickup for the Chiefs as this quarter comes to an end!
With the exception of a few hiccups, you have to like what you’re seeing offensively and defensively from KC on the road thus far.
Updated
Chiefs 3-3 Steelers, 0:35, 1st quarter
Roethlisberger is not messing around - he let’s it go again, chucking way down field looking for Bryant again, but this time Sean Smith breaks it up along the far sideline.
Le’Von Bell goes right for just a yard as he looks to get going this afternoon.
Now there are flags on 3rd & 10, a false start. So it’s third and even longer, and Roethlisberger is DOWN! It’s ruled incomplete but Joe Mays nailed the Steelers QB and the ball was loose.
There is no turnover however and Pittsburgh punt. KC start at their 49, some great field position after the KC D establish their pass rush.
Chiefs 3-3 Steelers, 2:06, 1st quarter
Wheaton is chased out of bounds by Z-man Zombo and Pittsburgh will start it up from their own 25.
FIELD GOAL! Chiefs 3-3 Steelers, 2:06, 1st quarter
Cairo Santos out of Brazil kicks a 35-yard field goal and we’re tied. Both defenses were able to tighten up after substantial drives - this was a 14-play, 7:05m 65-yard march that was stalled.
Updated
Chiefs 0-3 Steelers, 2:26, 1st quarter
Two stops by Pittsburgh and it’s 3rd & goal.
Here come the Steelers - Heyward again getting penetration. He SACKS Smith who hits the turf! That’s a big stop that brings on the field goal unit.
Chiefs 0-3 Steelers, 2:56, 1st quarter
Smith to the air again - Albert Wilson has a catch for seven.
After a short one-yard run from Davis, Smith drops back and throws another quick screen - De’Anthony Thomas has it, he’s streaking down the sideline before being taken down at the Steelers eight-yard line! It’s an 19-yard catch and run...
First and goal to go for KC!
Chiefs 0-3 Steelers, 5:56, 1st quarter
SACK! Smith is taken down and it’s Harrison sharing the sack with Cameron Heyward. Then Smith is on the run again, heading to his right before throwing it away....
Now, here’s a 3rd & 16. S
Smith, in the shotgun - he has a man, it’s complete! Albert Wilson has first down yardage.
There’s a flag, but it’s illegal use of hands to the face on Lawrence Timmons so the play stands. Huge conversion for KC to the Steelers 41.
Chiefs 0-3 Steelers, 7:34, 1st quarter
There’s Charles, a little space and he makes headway. A run right for 10 yards gets a first down. Now it’s Smith with a quick screen to the near side -De’Anthony Thomas has it, has room and is close to a first down.
Chiefs looking very crisp on their first few plays from scimmage.
Chiefs 0-3 Steelers, 9:15, 1st quarter
Knile Davis takes it up to the 28 on the return, but then Frank Zombo and his amazing name gets flagged for holding, pushing the Chiefs back to their 18.
@LengelDavid steelers are #1 in offense, raiders were dead last. this will be a steeler blood bath. forget charles, bell will have 150 APY
— Aram Mushegian (@arammush) December 21, 2014
I’m sticking with the Dogs Aram!
FIELD GOAL! Chiefs 0-3 Steelers, 9:15, 1st quarter
The drive stalls and Shuan Suisham comes on to nail a 23-yard field goal to put the home team on top after their first possession. It’s an 11-play 80 yard drive that Steelers fans would count as disappointing considering their inability to punch it in. KC will count it as a moral victory, no doubt.
Chiefs 0-0 Steelers, 13:00, 1st quarter
Roethisberger is testing the Chiefs secondary already - he finds Martavis Bryant way down field! That’s a 44-yard reception for the Clemson product and the Steelers are in business already!
Kickoff!
The Steelers won the toss and will receive. Markus Wheaton is taken down from behind at the 13, and away we go!
Prediction:
KC snapped back from a three-game skid last week against the Raiders, the team everyone loves to face when they’ve lost three straight. You can’t take much out of that of course, but I like KC today. It’s just a matter of time before their secondary snatches a few picks, and it could be today with Ben Roethisberger playing at home. The Chiefs will need at least on interception to win today - they’ll get it. They’ll also get 100 yards from Jamaal Charles, which is not easy against this Pittsburgh run defense.
KC 24 Pittsburgh 21
Updated
And what of the weather? Not bad for late December in Western PA.
Updated
Troy Polamalu
He’s out today - man, I’m going to miss those locks.
James Harrison, their 36-year-old linebacker, will play today however. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said on Thursday:
I’ve been pleased with what I’ve seen. I knew that he would be lifting. That’s just James. But I think his overall conditioning is not bad. He hasn’t played football for a long time. We’ll have to keep our eye on him but it’s been good seeing him out here.
Ike Taylor is also out at cornerback for Pittsburgh.
Updated
What else is on today?
Good question, let’s take a look at the slate for week 16.
1PM ET / 6PM UK
- Browns @ Panthers
- Lions @ Bears
- Ravens @ Texans
- Vikings @ Dolphins
- Falcons @ Saints
- Patriots @ Jets
- Packers @ Buccaneers
4PM (ish) ET / 9PM (ish) UK
- Giants @ Rams
- Colts @ Cowboys
- Bills @ Raiders
830 PM ET / 130AM UK
- Seahawks @ Cardinals
Monday @ 830 PM ET / 130AM UK
- Broncos @ Bengals
Results:
- Jaguars 21-13 Titans
- Washington 27-24 Eagles
- Chargers 38-35 49ers
Preamble
Are you ready for some playoff football? Me too, but we’ll have to wait two more weeks until we all dig into a pair of the best weeks the NFL has to offer - the Wild Card and Divisional post-season rounds. Eight games, each equivalent to a 24oz, thick, piping hot, juicy steak ready to be downed with lashings of ginger beer. Life does’t get much better.
But fear not - our match-up today is of playoff quality, and with both teams needing a win to keep control of their own destinies, there’s quite a bit on the line.
Our NFL man Paolo Bandini did a superb job previewing the game for NFL Talkboard and Pick Six:
The loser of this game will not necessarily be eliminated from postseason contention, but their chances will take a huge blow. Kansas City’s position is slightly more precarious, at 8-6, but a victory for them would do substantial damage to the Steelers (9-5) due to the head-to-head tiebreaker. Pittsburgh are unlikely to be fazed. Ben Roethlisberger said this week that he and his team-mates had been operating in a “playoff atmosphere here for a while”, and so far they seem to be playing up to it. The Steelers have shown impressive offensive balance during the second half of the season, but it is the running game that should come to the fore on Sunday. Le’Veon Bell is the league’s second-leading rusher and has found the end zone six times in his last four games. The Chiefs rank 28th in the league against the run.
Thanks Paolo, well said. It’s true, the Chiefs run defense sucks, but they are pretty tight against the pass, with one caveat - they had just four interceptions all season long, and may have dropped more picks than they’ve taken. Interesting eh? It’s a good thing that QB Alex Smith has thrown just six passes to his opponents thus far...
Anyway, we’re excited to bring you this game, and we’d be even more excited if you joined our live blog. Why not tweet in your prediction, or any sort of football musings you like? It’s easy, just shout it out to @lengeldavid.
or email:
david.lengel.freelance@theguardian.com
Please stand for playoff “style” NFL football...
