Chiefs 2021 Opponent Overview: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Kansas City Chiefs will return home for their next contest to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last week, Kansas City was looking for help from the Steelers, as the Tennessee Titans traveled to Pittsburgh. The team in black and yellow delivered, adding to the equation that allowed for the Chiefs to move to the AFC’s number one seed entering Week 16.

Fast forward to this week, and the feelings will be less mutual between the two squads. Kansas City will look to not only remain as the top seed in the conference. To boot, they are looking to extend their current win streak to eight games. On the other hand, the Steelers are looking to keep pace in the AFC playoff race. Pittsburgh will enter this matchup with a record of 7-6-1. Currently, they are the second team on the outside looking in, just a half game back of a wild card spot.

Today, we will be giving our own view of the Pittsburgh Steelers entering their matchup with the Chiefs. What can Kansas City expect from their offense and defense? Let’s kick it off.

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One Last Hurrah?

For the last few years, the end has felt closer and closer for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The big bodied gunslinger had rarely missed any games up until a couple of years ago. He only played in two games in 2019 after suffering an elbow injury on this throwing arm. Once Big Ben returned early last year, the expectations were mixed for him and the team.

Pittsburgh defied the odds to jump out to a roaring 11-0 start. The Steelers were once again winning with a suffocating defense, a tremendous turnover differential and an explosive passing attack. During that 11-0 start Roethlisberger was running away with the Comeback Player of the Year Award, had thrown 25 touchdown passes to just six interceptions and was completing a gaudy 67.47 percent of his passes.

In the final five weeks of 2020, Roethlisberger and the Steelers limped to a 1-4 finish, which included a three game losing streak. In his final four games, Roethlisberger failed to have as much success down the field, was less accurate and began to feel greater effects from opposing pressure. Roethlisberger threw eight touchdown passes to four interceptions in the final four games he played. Meanwhile, his completion percentage had waned to a modest 60.26 percent. His porous finish, along with the incredible comeback story of Alex Smith, also ruined his chance at Comeback Player of the Year. Finally, Roethlisberger and the Steelers completely collapsed in the playoffs. In the first round (Wild Card Weekend), Pittsburgh could not stop from turning the ball over. Roethlisberger finished with four interceptions. It was a dreadful performance against the division rival Cleveland Browns, leading to a miserable finish to a season that started with so much promise.

In 2021, the decline has been rather steady for Big Ben. He cannot push the ball deep like he always used to do with ease. Most throws have to be completed quickly, in order for Pittsburgh to create any kind of offensive momentum. Roethlisberger obviously does not have the arm strength he once did either. This has culminated to a measly 6.7 yards per pass attempt. That figure is tied for 15th best in the NFL with Daniel Jones of the New York Giants, according to StatMuse. On top of that, the Steelers have not been gifted with as many broken tackles or nimble pocket navigation against opposing pressure. Getting Roethlisberger to the ground has been much simpler for defenses. Lastly, his ball placement has arguably been the most erratic of his lengthy career.

The former 11th overall pick in 2004 is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in the spring of 2022. Roethlisberger is set to turn 40 years old this upcoming March. As many have expected, Ben believes that this will be his final season. At least in Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger has not completely ruled out playing elsewhere, it appears. But, it would be rather stunning to see the veteran quarterback don the colors of another NFL team.

Transition Mode

The quarterback position is not the only spot where the Steelers are soon to be undergoing a transition phase. In fact, most of the offense has begun to alter around Roethlisberger. Pittsburgh spent the first round pick they held last spring on running back Najee Harris of Alabama. The Steelers have not wasted any time in giving him a full workload. His 249 carries are currently third most in the NFL among running backs. Only Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts (270 carries) and Joe Mixon of the Cincinnati Bengals (262 carries) have more. Harris has also registered 62 receptions on 80 targets. After a strong start, Harris has certainly hit a rookie wall. He is down to 3.6 yards per carry.

Upfront, the Steelers have seen plenty of change over the last year. Their current starting five includes four guys who are new to the team this season. Left tackle Dan Moore Jr. and center Kendrick Green were drafted this past April. Guards Trai Turner and John Leglue are veterans who were new additions to the team since the summer. Only right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor had played snaps for the Steelers before this season began.

Ultimately, the pass catchers have already achieved many great moments with Roethlisberger. Chase Claypool exploded onto the scene as a rookie last year. Diontae Johnson seems to be the quarterback’s go to guy. Others like Ray-Ray McCloud and rookie Pat Freiermuth have begun to land a consistent role as well. Of course, this does not include injured wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who injured his shoulder early this season. Despite the early accolades, change could be plentiful within this group this upcoming offseason and will become more well-rounded for whoever the next quarterback may be.

Hit Or Miss

The Pittsburgh defense has been up and down seemingly all season long. Things like takeaways, sacks and third down stops appear to either all come at once or are completely non-existent throughout a few weeks. Certainly, there are still star players in the fold. TJ Watt currently leads the league in sacks (17.5), despite just 12 games played. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward are also do it all defenders that the Steelers can lean on.

However, Pittsburgh has been hurt by injuries (i.e. Joe Haden) and by younger guys that have not taken the next step (i.e. Alex Highsmith, Devin Bush, Terrell Edmunds). It is definitely bizarre to see the Steelers’ defense rank in the bottom half of the league in points allowed (22nd), yards allowed (27th), takeaways (19th), interceptions (20th), rushing yards allowed (31st), rushing touchdowns allowed (21st) and rushing yards allowed per rush attempt (32nd). Kansas City’s offense has begun to create more rhythm and is scoring at a higher rate. If the Steelers cannot create pressure, takeaways or longer downs and distances, it could be a long day for the black and yellow once again.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles throughout this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.