Chiefs vs. Steelers: Full Report Card Grades for Kansas City
In a game with huge playoff implications, the Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 20-12, as their chances of reaching the playoffs drastically decreased. The Steelers clinched a playoff spot as only one playoff spot in the AFC remains.
Kansas City's defense pulled through many times, limiting the Steelers to just 20 points; however, it was the offense that failed to contribute and forced the field-goal unit to score all of the team's points.
Here are the Chiefs' grades following a crucial loss in Pittsburgh.
Quarterback
1 of 11
Quarterback Alex Smith did throw for more than 300 yards and completed 31 of 45 passes; however, statistics don't tell the story of this game. Like last week, some of Smith's passes were overthrown, making it impossible for receivers to make a play.
The offensive line and wide receivers deserve some of the blame, but Smith should be held accountable for the offensive woes as well. If Smith had been a little more accurate, his 69 percent completion rate likely would have gone up and probably could have made a difference in the game.
Statistics aren't everything, and Smith's statistics certainly don't tell the story of Sunday's game.
Grade: D+
Running Back
2 of 11
Jamaal Charles is a heavy fan favorite among Chiefs fans and is the most consistent, reliable player on offense; however, Charles committed to Kansas City's loss against the Steelers.
Charles had just a 3.2 yard per carry average, struggling to get through Pittsburgh's defense. He also dropped a pass and fumbled, giving away the football to the Steelers.
Every elite player has a bad game. For Charles, this was his worst game of the season.
The Chiefs saw plenty of rookie De'Anthony Thomas in this game as he co-lead the Chiefs in catches with six.
Grade: C+
Tight End
3 of 11
The tight ends did not contribute very much against the Steelers, combining for just five receptions for 32 yards.
Travis Kelce was active throughout the game, pulling in four receptions for 31 yards, but he was quiet compared to most of the games he has had for the Chiefs this season.
As for Anthony Fasano, this is his sixth consecutive game in which he has had two or fewer catches. The Chiefs like to keep both tight ends active, but Kelce has shown potential and could do more if he's the primary tight end.
The most important thing for Kelce is for him to keep his emotions in check. A celebration for every first-down catch is not necessary, unless it is the game-winning first down that seals a game.
Grade: B
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Wide Receiver
4 of 11
If you include Thomas, who is listed as a wide receiver and a running back, Chiefs wide receivers combined for 21 receptions against the Steelers. While the Chiefs did abandon the running game and go pass heavy, it is still nice to see the receiving corps show up the way it did.
Albert Wilson led the team with 87 receiving yards from five catches while Dwayne Bowe and Thomas each pulled in six passes.
Against a weak Steelers pass defense, the Chiefs wide receivers took advantage and made some plays. Take away Bowe's drop in the end zone and the Chiefs would have been more competitive, and the wide receiver touchdown drought would have came to an end.
Grade: B
Offensive Line
5 of 11
Smith was sacked twice on Kansas City's first offensive drive of the game. That eventually led to the team giving up six sacks in the game. Since Week 10, this is Smith's third time taking six sacks by opposing defenses.
There are plenty of problems throughout the offense. The offensive line, though, has the most issues and is keeping the team from reaching its ceiling.
From inconsistent blocking in the running game to giving Smith little time to make plays, the offense has been limited from what it can do. This game is evidence of it.
Grade: F
Defensive Line
6 of 11
The Steelers did a good job of limiting plays that went for negative yardage; however, they did not get a lot of yards on the ground.
The Chiefs kept the Steelers rushing game in check, limiting the NFL's second-best rusher in Le'Veon Bell to just 3.2 yards per carry.
Although Bell found the end zone against the Chiefs, Kansas City's defensive line allowed Bell very few opportunities to break a big run. Bell, who ran 20 times, did not have a rushing play of more than seven yards.
The Steelers have one of the more prolific offenses in the NFL, having a top-tier quarterback, running back and wide receiver. While the defensive line was not perfect against the run, they did not give Bell many chances.
Grade: A-
Linebacker
7 of 11
Justin Houston earned his 18th sack of the season as he continues to have a dominant season defensively. In addition, Houston has had good support from his teammates at the linebacker position, and this game was no different.
Tamba Hali and Josh Mauga co-led the Chiefs in tackles with six, having a hand in limiting Bell and pressuring Ben Roethlisberger.
The Steelers scored 27 or more points in each of their last four games, but Kansas City's front seven did its part Sunday to put the team in position to win by holding the Steelers under that mark.
Grade: A
Secondary
8 of 11
Kansas City's secondary has gone through a lot within the past year. The Chiefs released Brandon Flowers last offseason while Eric Berry was limited in his playing time this year with an injury and health reasons. The Chiefs have had a thin secondary on the field, yet the unit has done well, thanks to the help provided up-front by the front seven.
Sean Smith, Chris Owens, Kurt Coleman, Jamell Fleming, Ron Parker and Husain Abdullah may close the season out as the main defensive backs. While they are not an elite group of cornerbacks and safeties, they have proven a lot in 2014.
As for how they did against the Steelers, the Chiefs mainly struggled against Antonio Brown and Heath Miller as both of them caught seven passes, but they were limited to fewer than 75 yards each.
If the Chiefs can play better coverage and get between the throws for intended receivers, those incompletions will eventually force opposing offenses to punt or settle with field goals rather than touchdowns.
Grade: B-
Special Teams
9 of 11
Special teams had a completely opposite performance this week compared to last week.
After making just one of three field goals last week, rookie Cairo Santos delivered by knocking in all four field goals, giving the Chiefs all 12 of their points. Despite getting only three points out of it, it was nice to see a flashy, successful fake field goal when Dustin Colquitt threw to Kelce for a first down.
Return wise, Thomas took a step back after an electrifying game last week in the punt return department, averaging just 4.5 yards per carry off of returns.
Grade: A-
Coaching
10 of 11
Head coach Andy Reid is undoubtedly responsible for the team's fallout over the last five games, but is it all on him? Is Reid to blame for a poor group of offensive linemen? And how do we know if he tells Smith to throw a short pass on 3rd-and-long or if that is Smith's doing?
There are plenty of questions around this team—a majority of them about the offense.
There is still another week left for the team, possibly more if the Chiefs get help in Week 17, but it is never too early to think about rebuilding the team this offseason—especially with the woes this team has.
Reid has not been able to adjust his woes as Charles, arguably the best player on offense, continues to get few touches on an offense with little talent.
The play calls still need work, and it is disappointing to see this being an issue in Week 16.
Grade: D+
Overall
11 of 11
QB: D+
RB: C+
TE: B
WR: B
OL: F
DL: A-
LB: A
DB: B
ST: A-
Coaching: D+
Cumulative: C
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