High Variance: Steelers Offense Vs Chiefs Defense Preview

The 2021 season has been one that has felt different than usual for the Kansas City Chiefs. This season, the two time defending AFC champions have dealt with a lot more adversity on the field. Turnovers were occurring just as much or more than touchdowns were for the offense to begin the season. To boot, the season started slow once again for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. There was some thought that the amount of points they were allowing each week was too unsustainable this time around, however.

Defensively, not much has changed over the last few years under Spagnuolo. The core players are still intact for the most part. Meanwhile, Spags’ scheme is built for a team that has a lead, allowing plenty of times to pin their ears back and rush the passer. Defensive backs are taught to play physical and keep plays in front of them, at the same time.

Throughout this season, the Chiefs defense did not always have that larger lead built for them. This group had to carry their own weight. In turn, that opportunity led to one of the better midseason turnarounds for an NFL defense in quite some time.

Kansas City allowed a gaudy 203 points during their 3-4 start to the season, or 29 points per game. The only time where the Chiefs allowed less than 27 points during that stretch was against Washington (13 points allowed). Afterwards, Kansas City’s defense only allowed a total of 103 points during their eight game winning streak, or 12.875 points per game. The only time where the Chiefs allowed more than 27 points during that stretch was against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football (28 points).

While no one should count the Pittsburgh Steelers offense out this Sunday night, there is something they largely lack that allows Kansas City’s defense to match up well with them. That would be speed and quickness. Ironically, Pittsburgh has more success when Ben Roethlisberger gets the ball out quickly. The ability that Spagnuolo has to disguise blitzes and coverages could neutralize that completely, though.

What are the top position battles to watch for between these two high variance units? We will list our top ones that could determine this Sunday’s outcome when the Steelers offense does battle with the Chiefs defense. For our top position battles between the Kansas City offense and Pittsburgh defense, click here.

Around FPC

NFL: Tom Brady Has Record-Breaking Afternoon Against Panthers

NFL: Home Field Advantage in NFL Remains a Big-Time Mystery

MLB: Top 10 American League Catchers of All-Time

NHL: NHL Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks

Wrestling: WWE Once Again Chooses To Go Back To Brock Lesnar

PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 27: Week 18 Storylines; COTY Race; Picks and Predictions

Steelers Offensive Tackles Vs Chiefs Defensive Ends

Much of the attention from the Kansas City pass rush will be garnered by stud defensive tackle Chris Jones. And rightfully so, as the Mississippi State product has finished strong again this season. He handles double teams so well, and is able to flash more short area quickness than expected.

There is another player who has been just as much of a game wrecker when necessary for the Chiefs pass rush. That would be Melvin Ingram. For years, the long and powerful edge rusher would terrorize Kansas City and other AFC West division opponents while he was with the Chargers. His ability to combine a rapid first step and get off when the ball is snapped with power in his hands, leaves opposing offensive tackles scrambling. Coincidentally, Ingram will go up against the team that traded him for essentially a bag of peanuts this season. He has been just as much of a leader for the Chiefs, as he has been a productive player.

Elsewhere, Frank Clark has had his share of ups and downs this season. A rough start led to some wondering if this would possibly be his final season with the team. Interestingly enough, right when the Chiefs began their eight game win streak is when Clark began to turn the tide. He attributed seven quarterback hits, two sacks and two forced fumbles in the month of November. Furthermore, Clark finished the season with 29 pressures, his most in a single season with Kansas City. His pressure rate was one of the highest in the league throughout a three game stretch from Week 5 to Week 7 (13.6 percent). While that has tailed off a bit, Clark reminded people just how much havoc he could cause to an opposing offense’s backfield.

For Pittsburgh, the offensive tackle duo of rookie Dan Moore Jr. and Chukwuma Okorafor will have their hands full. Both Ingram and Clark present a litany of pass rush counter moves in their respective toolboxes. The combination of quickness and power from each pass rusher will also be a rather large task to handle, due to the lack of off-script creativity Roethlisberger has left. We also know that Spagnuolo will not be shy to bring Clark and Ingram on stunts or twists when chasing after the quarterback.

Johnson And Claypool Vs Chiefs Cornerbacks

This is where the most high variance may lie on each side between the Steelers offense and the Chiefs defense. Let’s start with Pittsburgh’s wide receiver duo.

Diontae Johnson led the team in categories like receptions (107), receiving yards (1,161), receiving touchdowns (eight) and targets (169). What are his best traits? Johnson is an extremely savvy route runner. This leaves defensive backs on their toes, waiting to see what move he is going to make in order to try and fake them out. Or, Johnson will create more separation than expected because of his ability to stay patient and make the game look so slow for himself. He is also elusive after the catch. However, we know his drops and awareness can be hit or miss. According to Sports Info Solutions, Johnson’s 16 dropped passes in 2020 led the league. He dropped that number significantly to five drops this season. Though, it can occur at the most inopportune time for Pittsburgh.

Chase Claypool received the second most targets on the Steelers in 2021. He had the lowest catch percentage of the top five target getters on the team, however (56.2 percent). There is of course a lot that can go into that. But for Claypool, struggling with route running, creating separation and catch comfort has led to inconsistencies. It has also led to a lack of trust at times from Roethlisberger to this receiver. Where has Claypool been good? His ability to win downfield, create explosive plays after the catch and battle in contested catch situations has given the Steelers a different layer in the passing game. Easily, he is their most physical pass catcher.

On the other hand, the starting cornerback trio for the Chiefs has experienced their fair share of highs and lows this season. Not many offenses could figure out how to beat them for a while. Charvarius Ward passed the tests glowingly when matching up with star receivers like Davante Adams and CeeDee Lamb. Yet, Ja’Marr Chase was a different story. L’Jarius Sneed may be one of the fastest and better tacklers among younger cornerbacks in the NFL. Finally, Rashad Fenton has enjoyed a breakout campaign, so to speak. His physicality at the catch point and nose for the football have been equalizers for the Chiefs defense from time to time.

However, there has been plenty of variance in one specific area for this trio. That would be defending passes deep down the field. In this matchup, the Steelers do not present any true speed threats. Roethlisberger may not be as accurate to the deeper areas as he was beforehand. Nevertheless, this Kansas City cornerback group has to continue to show more patience and awareness when defending the deep ball. We have seen panic set in at times for these three. This has led to not finding the football in time. Or, deadly penalties have placed the Chiefs in precarious positions. How will they attempt to take away the deep ball this time around?

Harris Vs Chiefs Run Defense

Steelers rookie running back Najee Harris finished the regular season with an even 1,200 rushing yards. While his yards per carry (3.9) and yards per game (70.6) numbers won’t blow anyone away, it is important to look at his rushing style. The attitude, toughness and strength at the point of attack do not make him easy to bring down. He displayed some of that in the first matchup against the Chiefs this season. Specifically, Harris’ stiff-arm move and patience/feel for letting blocks develop gave him extra time in space. He finished with 93 rushing yards on 19 carries (4.89 yards per carry) in that first game against Kansas City. Amazingly, his yards per carry number was higher than Roethlisberger’s yards per passing attempt (4.54) on the day.

Overall, the Chiefs run defense has been roughly the same as they were last year. They have certainly had their share of strong stretches and bad stretches in this area. However, there is one item in particular that has worsened tremendously for the Kansas City run defense. Last season, they finished 17th in the league in yards per carry allowed (4.5). That number has crept up slightly to 4.8 yards per carry allowed this season, which ranks 31st or second worst in the league.

What does this create? For opposing offenses, they are not often put in longer downs and distances because of the run defense. Teams are able to get into second or third and manageable far too often. Moreover, teams are allotted more options because of this. Opponents can dictate the pace of their attack far easier, as well as diving deeper into their playbook. Pittsburgh has no problem playing methodically themselves.

Another item to watch is missed tackles. Kansas City finished better than they did last season. Their 2020 team missed tackle percentage was 11.2 percent, whereas their 2021 team missed tackle percentage was 8.3 percent. At the same time, more missed tackles have popped up over the last couple of games. Making those plays in space is absolutely necessary if the Chiefs want to win the Super Bowl again.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs playoff 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.