Steelers/NFL
Kansas City 27 – Pittsburgh 24
Jamaal Charles 97 yard opening kickoff return for a touchdown was a sign that the Steelers were going to be in a ball game.
Pittsburgh rebounded after Charles’ kick off return touchdown to jump out to a 17-7 half time lead but Pittsburgh let Kansas City hang around.
The Chiefs outscored the Steelers 10-0 in the third quarter and a Jamaal Charles 2 yard touchdown reception with 4:55 remaining in the 4th quarter tied the game at 24-24 as the Chiefs forced over-time.
Pittsburgh won the toss in overtime but loss quarterback Ben Roethlisberger 4 plays into overtime as Roethlisberger suffered a mild concussion.
With the ball on their own 40 yard line, Charlie Batch came in on his first snap and connected with Sanontio Holmes for a 17 yard pass to set up a first down at the Chiefs 43 yard line.
The Steelers were driving and on a 2nd and 10 at Kansas City’s 43 yard line, Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 8 yards to set up a key 3rd and 2 at KC’s 35 yard line.
Following Mendenhall’s run, the coaching staff made a questionable playcall/personnel move, taking Mendenhall out of the game and inserting Mewelde Moore on the 3rd and 2.
A right toss to Moore resulted in a 3 yard loss and the Steelers were out of field goal position and forced to punt.
Kansas City would turn around and go 5 plays and 72 yards to set up a 22 yard field goal on first down to win the game 27-24.
On a 3rd and 5, Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel connected with Chris Chambers for a 61 yard reception to set up the game winning field goal.
The lack of playmakers in the Steelers secondary has been evident when Troy Polamalu is out of the lineup and the play before Chambers game changing reception, Ike Taylor dropped a sure interception that would have given the Steelers the ball back at their own 23.
The Steelers outgained the Chiefs 463-206.
The loss for the Steelers put a serious dent on their chances of winning the division and now they have a much harder task than first believed to win a wild card berth.
At 6-4 and with a road game coming up next week against Baltimore, Pittsburgh’s primary focus has now focused to just getting into the playoffs.
Pittsburgh suffered two key injuries in the game as Chris Kemoeatu left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury and Ben Roethlisberger left the game in over-time with a head injury.
Roethlisberger is expected to be okay while the status of Kemoeatu is unknown.
Prior to being injured, Roethlisberger was 32 of 42 for 398 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Roethlisberger threw touchdown passes to Hines Ward, Heath Miller and Rashard Mendenhall.
Hines Ward led the Steelers with 10 receptions for 128 yards and 1 touchdown. Running back Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 8 yards on 21 carries and added 36 receiving yards and 1 touchdown.
