For those of you who were unaware, new offensive coordinator Todd Haley has a history with the Kansas City Chiefs as their former head coach. However, the local Pittsburgh native has settled in nicely with the Steelers (5-3) while the Chiefs (1-7) continue to struggle this season. The Steelers will look to continue their winning ways against Kansas City as the Chiefs visit Heinz Field Monday night. For Pittsburgh, a home record of 7-0 on MNF also hangs in the balance.
However, let the record show that the Chiefs have been able to play the Steelers tight, despite the glaring separation in talent level. In their 2011 meeting at Arrowhead Stadium, the Steelers were able to escape with a sloppy victory by a final score of 13-9. The Chiefs actually did have the opportunity to win the game until backup QB Tyler Palko threw an interception to 2012 standout Keenan Lewis to seal the game. The Steelers will look to continue their success against the Chiefs and extend their Monday Night Football record to 8-0.
Headed into what looks like a one-sided showdown, Pittsburgh is dealing with a few injuries that might affect the outcome. Antonio Brown (ankle) has officially been ruled out and will be replaced by the veteran Jerricho Cotchery. Steeler safety Troy Polamalu (calf) will also miss his seventh consecutive start this season. The good news is that incumbent starter Rashard Mendenhall returns to actions alongside a healthier Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer. With the emergence of Mendenhall’s backups, look for the Steelers to ride the hot hand by going to a backfield by committee. With three consecutive 100-yard rushing performances, look for one of the backs to breakout against a lacking Chiefs defensive unit.
Steeler Linebacker LaMarr Woodley was quick to downplay their trap game, saying, “Last year we played them, their record was bad and they still came out and it was a close game, and the time before that they actually won the game. We just have to go out there and prepare for this team like they were an 8-0 team coming into Heinz Field on Monday Night Football.”
Woodley went on to add, “[The Steelers] must take care of what’s in front of them. We know how close the game was last year. We saw how they played this year against the Ravens. [The Chiefs] are a good team. They turn over the ball a lot but when they don’t turn it over they’re a nice team.”
For Chiefs fans, there is some good news. In the brief yet storied history between these AFC opponents, the Steelers have not won back-to-back games in this series since 1992. Pittsburgh is also currently 1-2 in Primetime games this season. However, Kansas City’s potential in this tough road contest will depend on the quarterback play. Heading into Monday, not even head coach Romeo Crennel knows who will lead his team onto the Heinz Field for the matchup.
Crennel told the media “We are going to have two of them out there. I am not ready to say right now who they are going to be. I am about to go talk to our local media here, and I will tell them first what I am going to do.”
Whether Cassel, Quinn, or another player makes the start on Monday, they will have to deal with a defense ranked first against the pass. The Steeler D is also riding some momentum from a dominating performance against the World Champion New York Football Giants. Crennel was asked about facing the man who had his current position earlier in the week. “Our relationship goes way back to when I was with the New York Jets. That was the first time I met him and got to know him a little bit. I watched him work and then I followed his career throughout. We’ve had a good relationship.”
Fans hoping for nasty and vengeful comments will be sourly disappointed. There is no bad blood between the two teams and even if there were, the records speak for themselves. If the Chiefs have any aspirations of avoiding a laugher of a game, Jamaal Charles must run effectively against an under-performing Steeler D-Line. With injuries to both of the Chiefs top 2 starting running backs, this is a tall order.
Overall, the Steelers should finally avoid playing down to their competition in Primetime by earning a massive victory. After a brutalizing and controversial game against the Giants last week, the Steelers have been closing ground on the AFC North leading Ravens. If the Steelers are able to secure the win, A Sunday Night Football matchup against those Ravens could have implications on the division lead. The Steelers would be able to claim first place in the North with a 7-3 record and holding a tie-break over all others in the division. If Big Ben, the line, and the running game continue to impose their will, the Steelers could be a very dangerous team leading into potential post-season play.
Prediction: Steelers 35, Chiefs 10
Matchup to Watch: Steelers RBs vs. Chiefs Defense
Fantasy Performer to Watch: Ben Roethlisberger (275 yards passing, 2 TDs)
