Kick-6 sets up Steelers
FGs earn Pitt trip to Foxboro
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Pittsburgh Steelers came to Kansas City with the momentum of an eightgame winning streak, the most talented trio of offensive skill players still alive in the NFL playoffs, and a proven track record of postseason success.
The Steelers left Kansas City with all of those things too.
The ice storm that delayed the kickoff of last night’s AFC divisional round game never materialized, and Pittsburgh made sure the Chiefs didn’t either in an 18-16 victory on a foggy night at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City pulled within two points with 2:43 to play on Spencer Ware’s 1-yard touchdown plunge. The ensuing successful two-point conversion was negated when James Harrison drew a holding penalty on Kansas City’s Elvis Fisher.
The Chiefs tried again from 12 yards out, but Alex Smith’s pass was incomplete, and Kansas City never saw the ball again.
The Steelers needed 3 yards after the two-minute warning to put the game away. Ben Roethlisberger found Antonio Brown for 7, sealing the victory.
“We play to win,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said bluntly. “We’re throwing.”
Pittsburgh’s reward is a trip to Gillette Stadium next Sunday and a rematch with the Patriots, who beat the Steelers 27-16 at Heinz Field on Oct. 23. The teams haven’t met in the postseason since the 2004 AFC Championship Game — a 41-27 Pats victory.
The Steelers did everything right last night except find the find the end zone. They dominated time of possession (34:13-25:47) and total yards (389-227). Roethlisberger (20-of-31, 224 yards), Brown (six receptions, 108 yards) and Le’Veon Bell (30 carries, franchise playoff-record 170 yards) did what they wanted. Chris Boswell made all six of his field goal attempts.
It was good enough on this night. The Steelers know 18 points and zero touchdowns won’t be good enough next week.
“There’s a lot of things we’ve got to do to be successful against them. They’re the best in the world for a reason,” Roethlisberger said of the Patriots. “It’s not an easy test coming up. We’ve got to possess the ball. We’ve got to score points. We can’t turn the ball over. There’s a lot of things we’re going to have to do to beat them.”
The Pittsburgh defense allowed a 55-yard touchdown march on Kansas City’s first drive — the first time this season the Steelers did so. There was little of consequence after that until Kansas City’s fourthquarter touchdown drive. The Chiefs converted just 2-of-9 third downs.
“The guys didn’t blink. They need to be given credit for that,” Tomlin said. “I liked the look in their eye, the resolve.”
The Steelers kept Kansas City’s top playmakers — Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill — in check. The challenge against the Pats is different, since there is no way to keep the ball out of Tom Brady’s hands.
Brady threw for 222 yards and two touchdowns when the teams first met. LeGarrette Blount ran for 124 yards and two scores. Roethlisberger didn’t play because of an injury.
The Patriots might have been on Tomlin’s mind, but he wouldn’t tell.
When asked if he had any thoughts on playing them, he was succinct.
“None,” Tomlin said.