Kansas City Chiefs: 3 Keys To Victory
By Nick Floyd
3. Stop The Big Play
Dec 14, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) celebrates a Steelers touchdown in the fourth quarter of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Steelers won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
The Steelers have a great quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger. He’s a towering playmaker who can air it out.
This is where the Chiefs need to put the hammer down.
Kansas City is currently touts the league’s No. 2 pass defense. They have prevented elite passers (Peyton Manning, Tom Brady etc.) from going to town against their defense. Big Ben, while not as “elite” as Brady or Manning, still has the ability to beat you deep, even with his recent wrist injury. Roethlisberger can and will throw the ball, and with home run hitters like Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, the Chiefs will need to limit the big plays.
Kansas City can accomplish this by doing what it does best; pressuring the quarterback. Players such as Husain Abdullah and Ron Parker will have their hands full against the Steelers receiving corps. If the Chiefs want to have back-to-back playoff berths, they will have to find a way to stop the big play and, more importantly, the run.