Steelers vs. Chiefs: Full Pittsburgh Game Preview
Welcome to the Landry Jones era, folks.
With star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger still on the mend and backup quarterback Mike Vick dealing with a slightly torn hamstring, the third-year quarterback out of Oklahoma is the new guy in charge of the high-powered Steelers offense until Roethlisberger returns from the knee injury he suffered in Week 3 against St. Louis.
After taking over for the injured Vick, Jones was able to provide the Steelers with a passing element that they simply didn't have with Vick under center.
Now, heading into the Week 7 matchup with the struggling Kansas City Chiefs, Jones will have his first full week to prepare as the starter, which should only benefit him in his first career NFL start.
Along with the intriguing storyline revolving around Jones and his first NFL start, we must pay attention to the first career start of left tackle Alejandro Villanueva as well.
Following the torn ACL suffered by starting left tackle Kelvin Beachum, the former Army Ranger was forced into action early in the second quarter. With Mike Adams still on the mend from back surgery, the job is all Villanueva's moving forward. He has a tough task this week against the pass-rushing tandem of Justin Houston and Tamba Hali in Kansas City.
While the Steelers offense has a few new starters at key areas heading into a hostile environment, the team should be able to rely on the young defense that has really stepped up its play this season despite being relatively young across the board.
Depending on the defense to start should allow the offense to get into a groove. Although the Chiefs do a nice job of stopping the run (they allow 96.2 yards per game), they're prone to a few big plays on the ground thanks to cutback lanes and missed tackles.
Much like the Steelers offense, the Chiefs offensive unit has relied on a strong defense to keep it in the game, much like Kansas City did in Week 6 against Minnesota. Due to a suspect passing game and the loss of star running back Jamaal Charles, the Chiefs offense has turned into the real-life version of a pop-gun: all show, no force.
Without the defense, the Chiefs would likely get blown out every week because they can't protect the passer or throw the ball well enough to play catch-up.
Pittsburgh vs. Kansas City won't be much fun to watch for the average fan looking for offensive explosion, but for defensive battles, this one will be all that and more.
Location: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Week 6 Recap
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With Pittsburgh hosting the 4-1 Arizona Cardinals at Heinz Field, many around the league felt that the Steelers would drop their third game of the year against one of the best teams in the NFL through five weeks.
Nobody thought they'd knock the Cardinals off, especially when Landry Jones took over under center in the second half.
Alas, the Steelers did just that, knocking off the Cardinals 25-13 behind two touchdown passes from Jones to Martavis Bryant, including a dazzling 88-yard catch and run from Bryant with just over two minutes left in the game to seal the win.
While Mike Vick struggled under center through two quarters and a small sample of the third quarter, a hamstring injury forced him to the bench, which pushed Jones into action.
He didn't disappoint.
In less than two full quarters, Jones led the Steelers on four straight scoring drives to pull away from the Cardinals, who dominated the Steelers on the stat sheet, just not where it counted: the scoreboard.
Defensively, the Steelers were torched by Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald and John Brown, but they stopped the Cardinals when it mattered most, namely when Mike Mitchell intercepted Palmer in the Steelers own end zone.
New kicker Chris Boswell went 4-of-4 on field-goal attempts to lead the Steelers special teams.
The win over Arizona pushed the Steelers to 4-2 on the season and in sole possession of second place in the AFC North, two games behind the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals.
News and Notes
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Steelers work out veteran CB Robert McClain
Looking to improve a secondary that has allowed 277 yards passing per game through six weeks, the Steelers brought in veteran cornerback Robert McClain for a workout Wednesday, according to ESPN's Field Yates (h/t Steelers Depot).
McClain, who has spent time with the Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots throughout his five-year career, was a member of the Patriots this past offseason.
In 63 career games (17 starts), McClain has recorded 158 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and 21 pass breakups, according to Pro Football Reference.
Although the Steelers and McClain didn't reach an agreement—let alone discuss a contract—the team is interested in addressing the porous secondary with lingering injuries to Antwon Blake and Cortez Allen.
Boswell named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week
Thanks to his 4-of-4 performance on field goals Sunday, new Steelers kicker Chris Boswell was rewarded for his perfect day with AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, according to Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
After going through three kickers due to injury and inconsistent play to start the season, the Steelers appear to have found a competent replacement for Shaun Suisham, who tore his ACL in the preseason.
Latest Injury News
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Just when it seemed like the Steelers were close to getting fully healthy, the injury report grew substantially Wednesday, according to the injury report released by the Steelers team website.
Steelers
Linebackers Ryan Shazier (shoulder) and Jarvis Jones (hip) made full returns to practice, providing the Steelers with a defensive boost against Kansas City, should both play.
Shazier, who left with the injury in Week 2 against San Francisco after a career game, has struggled to get back to full health due to the shoulder injury, but he now appears close to returning.
Limited in practice on Wednesday was quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (knee) and cornerback Cortez Allen (knee). While Roethlisberger is likely a week away from reclaiming his starting gig, he told WDVE's Mike Prisuta that he is "relatively pain free" at this point in his recovery from the injury suffered in Week 3 at St. Louis.
As for Allen, the corner has been out since suffering the knee injury in Week 1 at New England. With injuries to Will Allen (ankle) and Antwon Blake (thumb) putting the Steelers secondary in a bind for Week 7 at Kansas City, the return of Cortez to the lineup would be an added boost.
Those who did not participate in practice Wednesday were Will Allen (ankle), Antwon Blake (thumb), Michael Vick (hamstring) and Stephon Tuitt (knee). William Gay, James Harrison and Matt Spaeth had the day off.
Tuitt is the major concern for the Steelers moving forward. If he isn't able to play Sunday, that could hinder Pittsburgh's front seven, which has been dynamic through six weeks. That would force Daniel McCullers into the starting lineup at nose tackle, pushing Steve McLendon to left defensive end, according to Dave Bryan of Steelers Depot.
Chiefs
For Kansas City, quarterback Alex Smith (right thumb), kicker Cairo Santos (right foot), wide receiver Chris Conley (knee), tight end Travis Kelce (facial laceration) and linebacker Josh Mauga (groin/Achilles) were full participants in Wednesday's practice.
Outside linebacker Justin Houston (elbow) and defensive tackle Dontari Poe (ankle) were limited participants, although Houston is expected to play.
Sitting out Wednesday's practice were defensive end Mike DeVito (concussion), wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (concussion), linebacker Tamba Hali (knee) and linebacker Ramik Wilson (knee/ankle).
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Key Matchups
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Steelers OT Alejandro Villanueva vs. Justin Houston and Tamba Hali
For a guy who is making his first career start in the NFL, Alejandro Villanueva couldn't have drawn a tougher matchup in terms of pass-rushers than the combination of Houston and Hali.
Although both are dealing with injuries at this point in the year for the Chiefs, they should be ready to play Sunday against an inexperience left tackle in Villanueva.
While the former Army Ranger's back story is incredible, it's now all about football for the former West Point star.
Despite drawing the tough task of dealing with Houston and Hali, Villanueva has the physical tools to be a legitimate starting tackle in the NFL, whether that's at left or right tackle. One game won't determine his fate, so Steelers fans should be patient with the young tackle.
Expect the Steelers to game-plan in favor of Villanueva to give him help in pass protection.
Matchup X-Factor
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Bud Dupree
When watching film of the Kansas City Chiefs, the offensive line stands out as the weakest link on the team, allowing 24 sacks of Alex Smith through six weeks, which is second-worst in the NFL behind the Seattle Seahawks and Russell Wilson (26), according to ESPN.
Unfortunately for Smith and the Chiefs, the Steelers head into Week 7 sitting tied for sixth in the NFL with 17 sacks.
While defensive end Stephon Tuitt's status for Sunday is in question, Pittsburgh still has Cam Heyward, James Harrison, Bud Dupree, Arthur Moats and Jarvis Jones who can put tons of heat on opposing quarterbacks.
On film, the Chiefs tackles, namely Eric Fisher, struggle with speed off the edges. That plays right into the hands of Dupree, who has an impressive first step at the snap that allows him to win the edge on some snaps before the tackle even has a chance to get out of his stance.
Sunday in Kansas City could be a coming-out party for the rookie out of Kentucky.
Prediction: Steelers 22, Chiefs 13
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With two strong defenses, this matchup has the makings of a defensive struggle.
While Kansas City's strength is its secondary led by rookie Marcus Peters and safety Eric Berry, the Steelers won't try to air it out against the Chiefs despite Landry Jones showing the ability to move the offense through the air.
Pittsburgh will likely try to pound the ball with Le'Veon Bell, especially with Jones making his first professional start.
As Pittsburgh looks to control the ball with the running game and extended handoffs through the air to Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant, the Steelers will lean on the productive defense, which should force multiple turnovers thanks to an impressive pass rush that will flummox Alex Smith and the Chiefs offense.
Bell racks up 100 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground, while the defense adds a touchdown on an interception return.
Rookie linebacker Bud Dupree records multiple sacks to help Landry Jones guide the Steelers to a win in his first professional start.
Prediction: Steelers 22, Chiefs 13
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