Steelers vs. Chiefs: Five Questions with the Enemy

Dec 14, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City has some of the best pass rushers in the NFL in Justin Houston and Tamba Hali but the Chiefs rank very low in rush defense. What do you think the strategy will be to try and contain both Ben Roethlisberger‘s passing and Le’Veon Bell on the ground?

Stylistically, Pittsburgh’s offense poses a lot of problems for Kansas City.

The Chiefs haven’t allowed a 300-yard passer this season, and they own the league’s No. 2 pass defense. Their secondary is packed with unsung heroes, but like you alluded to, everything is predicated on the pass rush.

Roethlisberger is one of the few quarterbacks who’s athletic enough to elude rushers yet strong enough to break their tackles. When he spends 2.5 seconds or fewer in the pocket, his passer rating (96.3) ranks 15th in the NFL; 2.6 seconds or more, which number skyrockets to 119.8—first overall.

When it comes to quarterback moxie, Roethlisberger is still king, and unlike 90 percent of his peers, he only becomes more dangerous as the play call crumbles.

However, from Kansas City’s standpoint, the man standing behind him is the biggest threat.

Despite injuries, the Chiefs pass defense hasn’t missed a beat. However, fans are jotting “Get Well Soon” cards by the end of handoffs. The unit looks less like world-beaters and more like a group without Mike DeVito, Derrick Johnson and Eric Berry.

To add salt in the wound, Johnson’s and Berry’s replacements, Josh Mauga and Ron Parker, top the league in missed tackles at their respective positions. If (and when) Bell breaks into the open field, Kansas City curse jars will overflow.

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