Pittsburgh Steelers keys to a win: What it’ll take to get through Kansas City
The Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Kansas City Chiefs in what should be a tightly contested Week 2 AFC showdown.
The Chiefs vs. The Steelers – Breakdown
Last week we saw different results from both teams and those results could be a mirage, or an indication to this weeks pending outcomes. The Chiefs displayed a high powered offensive attacked that punished the equally offensively strong Chargers.
It was an in divisional game in which the Chiefs have ruled over the past couple of years. The Steelers slogged their way to a tie in rainy conditions with an inept Cleveland Browns team that couldn’t get a win even when gifted the ball through six terrible Steeler turnovers.
So, the question remains, which team will show up in this inter-conference matchup between two teams that have aspirations of deep runs into the playoffs? Lets examine what it will take for the Steelers to win through our weekly segment of, ” Strap Up & Break it Down”.
Offenses
The Chiefs have plenty of weapons but none more dangerous than Tyreek Hill who is a clone of Chiefs legend Dante Hall but with scorch earth speed. Dude is dusting people and if you don’t put him on lock, he will embarrass you worse then getting caught mooning your teacher in sixth grade biology class. (Sorry, I digress).
Then you have Kareem Hunt of whom defenses are still trying to hunt down. He fumbled in his first carry last year as a rookie and then ran away with the NFL rushing title with 1,376 yards never to fumble again. Boom goes the dynamite with that guy because he is so explosive. Tight End Travis Kelce who has more swag then an Atlanta rapper and abilities to back it up, is one of the best in the league at what he does. I saw this dude sporting a designer haircut and rocking designer gear to match, with an inner city strut that made even me blush. I’m like, “hold up.”
Add a seasoned Sammy Watkins of high first round fame to the mix, the Chiefs skilled positions can compete with anybody in the league. Speedy water bug DeAnthony Thomas is also a threat to take it to the house on demand. But it all starts with flame thrower Patrick Mahomes, the young QB who has no fear and an arm that belongs in the arms race. At the NFL combine, he threw passes clocking 60 miles per hour which tied for the fastest of all time. A legitimate lethal weapon without the drama from Murtaugh and Riggs.
Andy Reid does a great job of play design which resulted in Hill getting out in space as a receiver while using his return skills to change the complexion of the game. They run a lot of spread sets but can also pound the ball with Hunt who is a threat at any time to take it to the crib. Kelce had an uneven game as did Watkins, but expect them to be more involved this week with the Steelers trying to slowdown the explosive Hill.
Stop the presses, stop the presses. If people think that their offense is more explosive then the Steelers; one only needs to look at who has the baddist, record settingist and car/hair stylingist receiver in the league…business is boomin, Antonio Brown! Nine catches and one touchdown for AB out the gate is a small sample size of what is yet to come.
Additionally, you got soon to be H.O.F. “they don’t call me Big Ben” for nothing cause I come up big in big games Roethlisberger at the helm, who is so dope I couldn’t find his last name in the dictionary. People are sleeping on him again because of his slow start which a season does not make, he might breakoff another 500-yard game come Sunday and then everyone will be singing his praises again.
People always panic when it comes to Big Ben. However, I cant count the times he has made people eat crow when it was all said and done. Add in young steel in the making Juju on the beat, Connors by the pound and I’m not as fast as the cowboy but I can get open Jesse James, with an offensive line forged by steel; you better recognize,” ain’t no back seats here.”
Connor pounded Cleveland almost into submission with that I can run through brick walls approach. He carried his weight and then some while JuJu was still getting his dance legs back and made plays here and there.
Don’t leave out the law firm, Justin Hunter, James Washington and Ryan Switzer from this array of talent. On “Any Given Sunday” they can add their business is boomin’ cards to the fray. There may be a Vance McDonald sighting this week and if so, that will take this offense further over the top.
In last weeks game, O.C. Fichtner called a strong run game using mainly 22 personnel (two RB’s, two TE’s, one WR) to control the clock and open up eventual passing lanes. Once the Browns made adjustments with dropping down safeties and corners in the box, he switched to 11 personnel (one RB, one TE and three WR’s) which opened up the game a little more.
RPO’s (Run Pass Options) designed plays are in vogue and the offense is getting use to working with it as Big Ben attested. As the season progresses, I see more potential for an even higher octane offense. Against the Chiefs I see this multi-prong attack with its new wrinkles keeping the defense guessing.
Advantage: Steelers