By Jeremy Fowler
September 16, 2018
Travis Kelce catches a touchdown pass in the Chiefs' 42-37 win in Pittsburgh yesterday. (Matt Starkey, https://www.chiefs.com/)
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers did everything possible to strengthen Patrick Mahomes' early MVP case.
The defense looked unorganized, unprepared and overmatched in Pittsburgh's 42-37 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, who are good but not this good.
This stat says it all: Mahomes' six-touchdown performance ties an NFL record for the most passing scores ever for a quarterback on the road. Len Dawson threw six touchdowns at Denver in 1964. It also tied the Steelers' record for touchdowns allowed, previously held by Buffalo in 1991.
The Chiefs came to Heinz Field as the NFL's most intriguing offense, but they led 21-0 late in the first quarter because of plentiful breakdowns in the Steelers secondary, raising questions about the pass defense going forward.
Questions defensive end Cam Heyward seems eager to answer.
“We didn’t kick enough a**. It’s as simple as that,” said Heyward, who then repeated the team will “be ready Monday night” at Tampa Bay.
In an offensive clash between two high-end luxury vehicles, the Steelers and Chiefs spent the better part of the second and third quarters displaying can-you-top-this playmaking.
Ben Roethlisberger very much still has his fastball, and the Steelers can absolutely turn it on when they need a spark.
Ditching the running game for a no-huddle offense that's become a Roethlisberger staple, Roethlisberger went 39-of-60 for 452 yards and three passing touchdowns, bouncing back nicely after a three-interception performance in Cleveland. The offensive line gave Roethlisberger a clean pocket all game, and he delivered with four-straight scoring drives of 75 or more yards between the second and third quarters.
Roethlisberger has had his shaky moments, but when he's on, there aren't many better.
“If (the Chiefs) are throwing it around every single play and scoring quickly, then you have to find ways to score points,” Roethlisberger said. “We just have to be prepared for whatever style of offense we need to play.”
But the Chiefs defense eventually settled down, while the Steelers kept bleeding. Mahomes having a perfect 158.3 passer rating through much of the game -- with five touchdowns on his first 21 attempts -- is a sign of clear sign of too many breakdowns. Mahomes finished 23-of-28 for 326 yards and a near-perfect 154.8 rating.
The Steelers are usually solid against tight ends but wanted no part of Travis Kelce, who thrashed the defense for seven catches, 109 yards and two touchdowns. Kelce’s 19-yard touchdown against a two-high-safety look is one example of a breakdown resulting in an “easy throw and catch” for Mahomes, corner Mike Hilton said.
“We feel we gave them 21 points,” Hilton said. “They really didn’t go down and earn it on us. We had a lot of miscommunications and blown coverages. It led for a 21-0 start.”
And when Kelce slowed down for a play or two, Tyreek Hill whipped around cornerback Artie Burns for a 29-yard touchdown down the sideline.
The absence of corner Joe Haden to a hamstring injury loomed large. Cam Sutton made the start only to get benched for veteran Coty Sensabaugh. Players were consistently scrambling along the formation or in and out of the sideline to get lined up. Linebackers were somehow matched up with speedy receivers on the outside.
The Steelers needed the pass rush to save them but finished with one sack. Outside linebacker Bud Dupree finished with as many offside penalties as tackles (two).
Barely three minutes into the game, the Steelers had two three-and-outs, gave up a 53-yard touchdown, blew a pass coverage for an easy Chiefs touchdown and shanked a punt. This is how you fail to set a tone.
The final three minutes were just as fitting. The Steelers scored on a Roethlisberger scramble with 1:59 left but had 1st-and-goal from the 6 with 3:26 left. Kansas City used that precious time to run the clock down.
With the Steelers finally getting the ball back with 12 seconds left, Tyler Matakevich ran into the kicker.
And to think an Orlando Scandrick holding call negated a Chiefs' sack-fumble recovery for a touchdown that would have made it 28-0 in the first half.
On paper, the Steelers made it a game. But it never really was one.
“It’s kind of a (look in the) mirror, gut-check, whatever you want to call it,” Roethlisberger said. “So we will see how everyone looks to respond.”
No comments:
Post a Comment