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Steelers vs. Chiefs recap: Kansas City shuts down Pittsburghs late comeback attempt

By Jesse Kirkendall

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The Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to Missouri for the second time this season in their week seven matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Landry Jones, the unlikely hero of week six’s victory over the Arizona Cardinals, made his first career start at the professional level as the Steelers made a strong attempt to keep their playoff hopes alive early as the 2015 season approaches the halfway point.

The first half of the contest for both teams could be summarized best as a field goal fest. The Steelers began the game with possession, but could not make anything out of their first drive. It was evident early on that quarterback Landry Jones is most comfortable attempting to get the ball to Martavis Bryant and making him his prime receiver.

Kansas City’s initial drive would be the first to put points on the board. With help from De’Anthony Thomas and Charchandrick West, the Chiefs made it into plus territory, but were unable to make it into the end zone. The beginning of Cairo Santos‘ busy day would begin here with a field goal to put the Chiefs ahead by three.

The Steelers second drive of the first half looked to have promise that it would end in a trip to the end zone. Started with 19 and 21 yard passes to Bryant and Antonio Brown respectively. The Steelers would make it into the red zone for the first time in the game, but would be halted at Kansas City’s six yard line. Chris Boswell continues to come through at the kicking game after weeks of heartache at the position to tie the score at three apiece.

By the end of the first quarter the Chiefs had taken the ball the length of the field once again, but the resilience of Pittsburgh’s defense held them to yet another field goal attempt. At the end of the third quarter Kansas City held a shaky three-point lead after another Cairo Santos field goal. The Steelers entered the second quarter looking to take their first lead of the contest.

Le’Veon Bell kicked off the second quarter for the Steelers in the only way he knows how: busting through opposing defenses and making big plays. His 21 yard run put Pittsburgh on their own 41 yard line, and they continued to run Bell until fourth down where the Steelers made a gamble for the first down. Using DeAngelo Williams instead of their feature back, Williams was unable to pick up the yards necessary and turned the ball over on downs.

Even though the Chiefs were without star wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, Chris Conley stepped into his role and performed considerably well. Before the first half ended, Kansas City added another three points to their lead and extended it to six. Landry Jones attempted to orchestrate a last-minute touchdown drive before halftime, but had a pass intercepted by Derrick Johnson to snuff out their chances.

Kansas City was almost able to make something out of the interception, but a Cam Heyward sack put the Chiefs out of Santos’ field goal range. Attempting a 54 yarder, his longest being 53, would not be profitable as he came up short. Jones would kneel the ball down to end out the half and send the teams to their respective locker rooms.

The Chiefs began the second half with the ball, but were forced to punt inside their own 30 yard line after penalties halted any sort of production. The Steelers attempted to take advantage of the field position after KC punt, but they were shut down once again. A pass put them at midfield and Williams rushed them into enemy territory, but were stopped, yet again, on third down.

Errors would continue for Landry Jones in the game as he was picked off again by Eric Berry in the later portion of the third quarter. The Chiefs were able to take advantage of the turnover and find the end zone with West for his first touchdown of the year. Hope wore thin as Kansas City pushed further ahead of the Steelers to make the game 16-3

Attempting to make some sort of comeback, the Steelers would take possession after KC’s first touchdown of the game and turn it into a score of their own. Driving down the field, Jones connected with Bryant of the third time this year on a touchdown pass the would bring the game within seven points. A glimmer of hope was on display as time expired in the third quarter.

Ryan Shazier made his presence felt in his first game back from a shoulder injury by making a sack on Alex Smith that would force Kansas City to punt from within their own 10 yard line. The Steelers were in a must score situation as the fourth quarter began. They had done the unimaginable by getting within six points, and now it was time for them to take their first lead of the game.

Oct 25, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant (10) catches a pass for a touchdown as Kansas City Chiefs free safety Husain Abdullah (39) chases during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 23-13. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The drive began in the most perfect  way possible: A 20 yard catch by Brown and an electrifying 42 yard run by Bell set the Steelers up in Chiefs territory for a score, but a sack by Tamba Hali forced the Steelers to kick yet another field goal and make the score 16-13.

With the Steelers hot on their tail, Alex Smith wasted no time in finding the end zone yet again with a little over five minutes left in regulation. Chris Conley, who filled in so well for Maclin during his absence, found the end zone to put the Chiefs ahead by a ten point lead. The Steelers would get the ball back with barely enough time to put up two scores, but took the field in a last-ditch effort.

Kansas City would close out the day with yet another Tamba Hali sack that would strip the ball loose from the clutches of Landry Jones and all but end any sort of comeback for the Steelers as they fell to 4-3 on the season.

The Steelers desperately need the return of Ben Roethlisberger next week in order to keep any chances of making the post season for a second straight year alive. Pittsburgh has shown they are capable of beating playoff caliber teams in the past and will need to be at full capacity in order to play to the best of their ability.

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