Chiefs vs. Steelers: Complete Week 16 Preview for Kansas City
After dropping the last three games, the Kansas City Chiefs got back on track with a win last week and find themselves still in the playoff hunt. For the Chiefs, it is simple: Win out and they are in.
The Chiefs face the Pittsburgh Steelers this week and the San Diego Chargers next week, two teams that are also vying for a spot, which helps Kansas City's positioning if it wins.
For now, the Chiefs have their eyes set on coming away victorious with a win in Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid hasn't guided the team well in the past month, but it is not too late to turn things around and capture one of the two wild-card spots.
Week 15 Recap
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The Chiefs desperately needed to bounce back and got the job done last week against the Oakland Raiders, snapping a three-game losing streak.
Kansas City made a little bit of noise in the first half when rookie De'Anthony Thomas took an 81-yard punt return back for a touchdown, contributing to the team's 10-3 lead at halftime. But the Chiefs got rolling in the third quarter.
Quarterback Alex Smith threw touchdown passes to backup running back Knile Davis and tight end Travis Kelce, while Davis scored on the ground as well. Completing 18 of 30 passes for two touchdowns and falling just three yards shy of a 300-yard game, Smith finished with a 115.6 quarterback passer rating.
Although Smith missed a couple of key throws, he still did enough to get the job done and give the Chiefs a long overdue win.
News and Notes
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Tamba Hali nominated for award
The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Tuesday that outside linebacker Tamba Hali is up for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which is awarded annually to a player who makes key contributions on the field and off it for the community.
If Hali wins, he would receive a $25,000 donation from both the NFL Foundation and Nationwide in his name to a charity of his selection. If he is a finalist, he will receive $5,000, or $1,000 if he does not finish in the top three.
If Hali wins, he would become the sixth player in franchise history to do so, following linebacker Willie Lanier, quarterback Len Dawson, linebacker Derrick Thomas, offensive guard Will Shields and offensive guard Brian Waters.
Alex Smith nominated for award
As Hali represents the Chiefs for the Man of the Year Award, Smith is one of eight nominees for the NFL's new Sportsmanship Award, the league announced.
The winner receives a $25,000 donation to a charity of his choice. The award will be presented the night before the Super Bowl, January 31, during the NFL Honors program.
Injury Report
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| Bailey, Allen | DE | Concussion | - |
| Bowe, Dwayne | WR | Illness | - |
| Charles, Jamaal | RB | Knee / Ankle | - |
| Fasano, Anthony | TE | Knee | - |
| Fulton, Zach | OG | Toe | - |
| Gaines, Phillip | CB | Concussion | - |
| Hali, Tamba | LB | Knee | - |
| Howard, Jaye | DT | Illness / Shoulder | - |
| Mauga, Josh | LB | Oblique | - |
| Mays, Joe | ILB | Knee | - |
| Owens, Chris | CB | Knee | - |
| Smith, Sean | CB | Groin | - |
Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reported that Dwayne Bowe has the flu and it is uncertain if he plays on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although Bowe has been a non-factor for most of the year, the Chiefs could use him in the passing game against a 25th-ranked pass defense.
If Bowe is absent, Albert Wilson would become the primary wide receiver, which is not ideal for Kansas City. This would force Smith to throw a majority of his passes to the running backs and wide receivers.
Injury report courtesy of KCChiefs.com.
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Key Matchups and X-Factor
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Chiefs CBs vs. WR Antonio Brown
I did not list a specific Chiefs defensive back due to the injuries and shifts the team has had to adjust to. But in the end, Antonio Brown is the most prolific wide receiver in the league and will beat anyone he faces. He leads the league in receiving yards and receptions and is the only player to have caught 100 passes this season. But Kansas City's pass defense, which will be discussed later in this slide, can make Brown a non-factor.
Chiefs run defense vs. RB Le'Veon Bell
If the Steelers don't fall behind by multiple possessions when they have the ball, Le'Veon Bell should see plenty of touches on Sunday. The Chiefs have allowed 4.9 yards per carry, the most in the league.
Bell is second in the NFL in rushing yards and has seven touchdowns on the ground. Only one running back has scored a rushing touchdown against the Chiefs, as they have only allowed two. Nonetheless, the edge in this one goes to the Steelers.
OLB Justin Houston vs. LT Kelvin Beachum and OLB Tamba Hali vs. RT Mike Adams
According to Stats, LLC, Kelvin Beachum has allowed seven sacks this year, while Mike Adams has just given up two. With the two offensive tackles facing Justin Houston and Hali, the Steelers might not have a stable and viable offensive line protecting Ben Roethlisberger.
Expect Houston and Hali to beat Beachum and Adams. If the duo can pressure Roethlisberger and force ill-advised passes, Brown would also turn into a non-factor, thanks to Houston and Hali.
X-Factor: Chiefs running game
Jamaal Charles had a quiet game last week, as Knile Davis on offense and De'Anthony Thomas on special teams took charge and helped the team win. The Chiefs know that if they can get these three backs active and involved, the team will move the ball well offensively, which will translate into scoring opportunities.
Prediction
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It won't be easy. Kansas City has not beaten an opponent with credentials for quite a while. But the Steelers are a beatable team.
If Bowe is available, he should do well against a weak pass defense, and perhaps the Chiefs finally get that long overdue touchdown pass to a wide receiver. But more importantly, the team must find ways to get the ball to Charles and also rely on Kelce, along with backup running backs Davis and Thomas.
Kansas City's defense has allowed 18.1 points per game and has played well against some top-tier quarterbacks, including Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. The defense will hold its ground.
The rest is up to the offense to do well in Pittsburgh and help the team come away with another win—and then finish the job next week and make the playoffs.
A lot of people will be surprised with this prediction, but if Reid has the right approach, the Chiefs will deliver several punches in this game and return to Kansas City with a big win.
Prediction: Chiefs 24, Steelers 14
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