5 Chiefs Who Will Play Shockingly Well Against Pittsburgh

Dec 7, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Dontari Poe (92) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Chiefs 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

DT Dontari Poe

Commensurate with his position, Poe has had a relatively quiet 2014 season. Although he has already logged a career-best 5 sacks this season, the pass rushers behind him have continued to make the most noise.

Poe will need to make his presence felt in this game, however, against the Steelers run game. OLB’s Justin Houston and Tamba Hali are underrated at containing the run on the outside and the Chiefs can rely on those two beasts to keep up the effort there. But on runs up the middle, it all starts with Poe. He will be lined up on Pro Bowl C Maurkice Pouncey and he will have to fight to crash down the running lanes and absorb as many blocks as possible so that the Chiefs’ vulnerable middle linebackers can make plays.

DT’s Jaye Howard and Vance Walker have also been stepping up in the run game of late, but make no mistake – they’re able to do what they do because of the silent destruction wrought by Papa Poe and he needs to come up big in this game.