3 factors that could lead to a Steelers upset over Chiefs in the playoffs

Steelers get a healthy T.J. Watt

It was very clear to see that T.J. Watt was not up to full speed the last time these two teams met in Week 16 of the 2021 season. Two weeks prior, Watt was dinged up against the Minnesota Vikings and left the contest after just 25 snaps.

Though he was able to play more or less a full game in a huge win against the Titans in Week 15, Watt was banged up once again vs Kansas City and left roughly halfway through the game the following week. While his injuries have all been minor this year, nagging groin, hip, and knee ailments have caused setbacks on what still turned out to be a remarkable record-setting season.

Now T.J. Watt claims that he “feels a good amount better” this time around than when he played the Chiefs three weeks ago. While this might seem like small potatoes, Watt is clearly a generational game-wrecker, and the Steelers are 9-2 on the season when he is able to play at least 40 snaps.

With a dominant Watt in peak condition, the Chiefs are going to have their hands full and will be forced to draw extra help on his side. If Watt can get to Patrick Mahomes a few times early and get him uncomfortable, that could be a massive variable that the Steelers didn’t have the last time these two teams played.