The Steelers, struggling after back-to-back losses, face a must-win scenario against the two-time defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Christmas Day. The timing couldn’t be worse for Pittsburgh, coming off physical defeats in Philadelphia and Baltimore, with injuries continuing to pile up.
While there’s hope that some key players might return for the holiday matchup, this game is critical—not just to keep their division championship hopes alive, but also to get back on track and avoid a slump at the worst possible time.
To snap their losing streak and play spoiler on Christmas, the Steelers will need to overcome these key challenges posed by Kansas City. Here's who Pittsburgh must keep an eye on.
QB, Patrick Mahomes
The league's best quarterback and one of the greatest of all time will look to keep exploiting a Pittsburgh defense that has struggled badly over the past two weeks. In the few times Patrick Mahomes has faced the Steelers, he's shredded their defense, and with the secondary banged up and performing poorly, this matchup is a major concern.
WR, Xavier Worthy
The rookie first-round draft pick brings a level of speed that the Steelers' defense hasn't encountered this season. Worthy, who shattered the 40-yard dash record at this year's combine, is the kind of player you always need to keep your eyes on. His incredible speed forces teams to respect it, creating opportunities to exploit other areas of the game.
TE, Travis Kelce
Patrick Mahomes' bread and butter—his ability to read defenses and exploit coverage with his unique route nuances—makes him nearly impossible to defend. For the Steelers' linebackers, they’ll need to step up and play far better than they did against Baltimore to contain him effectively.
IOL, Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith
Kansas City boasts one of the league's top interior offensive lines, with Creed Humphrey arguably the best center in the game. The two guards complement the Chiefs' offensive system perfectly. If Larry Ogunjobi is sidelined again, the Steelers' defensive front could have a tough time stopping the run and putting pressure on Mahomes.
To disrupt this potent offense, Pittsburgh needs to focus on exploiting the tackles. T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Markus Golden, and Nick Herbig must be relentless, constantly putting pressure on Mahomes and making life difficult for the tackles. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin should mix things up, using a variety of things to confuse the offensive line—shifting pass rushers, running twists, and stunts to keep them off balance.
DT, Chris Jones
Future Hall of Famer Chris Jones is poised to be a major challenge for the Steelers offensive line. However, after tweaking his calf on Saturday, his status for Wednesday remains uncertain. Regardless, the Steelers’ offense must prioritize developing a strategy to handle him, as he's a complete game-wrecker with the ability to disrupt at any given moment.
CB, Trent McDuffie
A highly skilled cornerback who will likely shadow George Pickens all game if he plays. However, if Pickens is out, it could be a challenging day for anyone facing off against McDuffie. The Chiefs boast a smart and well-coached defense, with McDuffie's strong presence in the secondary being a key factor in their defensive success. His ability to lock down receivers allows the Chiefs' defense to maintain its solid, cohesive play.