Roethlisberger ready to lead Steelers offence as Chiefs look to end play-off drought
>> KANSAS CITY: That walking boot being worn by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after Pittsburgh’s win against Miami last weekend is very worrisome to the Steelers.
But Roethlisberger tends to always show up in the play-offs, and he’s expected to perform against the Chiefs in Kansas City today.
The Steelers eased past the Chiefs 43-14 on Oct 2, but that was in Pittsburgh. Kansas City are better now than they were back then, although so are the Steelers.
If the Chiefs can get pressure on Big Ben and somewhat control Antonio Brown, the league’s most dangerous receiver (and non-quarterback), and running back Le’Veon Bell, they can use their relatively conservative offence to their advantage. But will coach Andy Reid turn the reins loose a bit when the Chiefs have the ball?
The Chiefs haven’t won a play-off game in 23 years.
If the Steelers win, it may not be because quarterback Roethlisberger overcame a sore foot. They will beat the Chiefs because there is no stopping Bell’s two good ones.
Bell has rushed for 1,002 yards in the past seven games, including a team postseason record 167 yards in a 30-12 wild-card victory over Miami last weekend.
Bell went for 144 yards on 18 carries in the first meeting against Kansas City, and the Chiefs’ 26th-ranked rushing defence (121.1 yards per game) looks none the wiser.
Even if the Chiefs stack the deck with run defenders, Roethlisberger can throw deep to Pro Bowl receiver Brown — injured foot or not. That more than compensates for a Steelers defence with no Pro Bowl selections for two straight years.
Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith is good at not losing games — he ranks third in wins by a quarterback since 2011 (behind Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers).
His one i nterception i n 186 postseason pass attempts stands as the NFL interception-percentage record. In games such as this, however, the Chiefs need Smith to do more than simply not make mistakes. With wide receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce running routes, Kansas City will have their chances.
KANSAS GAME MOVED
The National Football League decided to push back the start time of the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers playoff game today because of expected cold weather in the Kansas City area.
Weather forecasters issued an ice storm warning for today, prompting officials to change the start time to 8.20pm EST (8.20am tomorrow Thai time).
“Due to public safety concerns in light of the forecasted storm this weekend in the Kansas City area, today’s Steelers-Chiefs Divisional Play-off game on NBC has been moved,” the NFL said in a statement.
“Moving the game from the original start time will provide local authorities more time to clear roads in the area as the weather is expected to improve throughout Sunday. The decision to make this time change was made in consultation with state and local officials as well as the Chiefs and the Steelers.”