Steelers big underdogs tonight. Rightfully so. But last Sunday proved anything can happen. Keys to Pittsburgh pulling off one of the biggest upsets in playoff history. #Steelers
Turnovers and red zone play two team stats that will define this game. Steelers -3 in the first meeting, Chiefs had 17 points off it. Can't give Mahomes extra possessions/short fields. Think Steelers gotta be at least +2 and not turn it over.
Defense must get RZ stops. Keep score down. Steelers have basically won all their games this season by winning red zone defense, keeping games close in first half. Dug 23-0 hole in 1st half in Week 16. Give offense time to get going.
Chiefs can throw with the best of them and they'll have Kelce in this game. Hard to play two-high to take away speed outside b/c middle of field is open vs LBs who can't cover well. May bracket Kelce + play off on WRs on third down.
But KC is a more effective run team than given credit for. No CEH is a loss but o-line is physical and won POA routinely in that first meeting. Very good short-yardage. Burton & Bell 12/12 on 3rd/4th and 1 this season.
Chiefs have historically good third down offense. 52%, five points higher than any team in 2021 and best since 2011 Saints. They're just average in the red zone, lack of vertical threat mitigates speed, so Steelers can win here.
Defensively, run defense doesn't look good on paper but whole defense has turned around back half of the year. Bengals got to them but Steelers don't have that explosive talent. Chris Jones wrecker along interior. Hassenauer/Leglue must hold own.
Jones top pressure player with nine sacks. Clark good off the edge. Spags sends pressure, DBs (Mathieu/Sneed) get involved near LOS.
In coverage, zone-match on 1st and 2nd down. Cover 1/Lurk on third down.
In coverage, zone-match on 1st and 2nd down. Cover 1/Lurk on third down.
Special teams a factor too. Reason why Tomlin led his Tuesday presser with it. Boz gotta make his kicks, Harvin must punt better, but can there be splash? FF, long return, a fake (on STs or trick play offensively)? Chiefs top ten in KR/PR, only such team in playoffs.
Enjoy the game! Should be fun. All the pressure on the Chiefs. Steeler shave nothing to lose. If this game is tight, KC will feel it. Pittsburgh will feed off it.
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