Are the Kansas City Chiefs ready to best the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017?
By Chris Taylor
Defensive line: Pittsburgh
Both defensive lines are mediocre. They arrive at that status from different paths. Kansas City has too many question marks. Chris Jones is good, not great, not elite. Not yet. Bennie Logan is an upgrade from Dontari Poe, in my own opinion, but not by much. It’s never safe to rank a rookie, so I am cautious to include Tanoh Kpassagnon. Allen Bailey is coming back from injury so his production is up in the air. Pittsburgh comes with Cameron Heyward, Javon Hargrave, and Stephon Tuitt. They are mediocre because that is as deep as they are.
Linebacker: Kansas City
This was close. James Harrison and Ryan Shazier are top notch. Rookie T.J. Watt helps add depth to a squad with no depth at the linebacker spot. The Chiefs have a group of linebackers that doesn’t stop. Led by Justin Houston, Chiefs linebackers consist of names like Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson, Dee Ford as well Josh Mauga, Ramik Wilson, and Dadi Nicolas.
Secondary: Kansas City
The Chiefs take the category easily. Pittsburgh doesn’t have anyone named Marcus Peters or Eric Berry. In fact, if Kansas City had the secondary Pittsburgh has, there would be mass chaos in Chiefs Kingdom.
Special Teams: Kansas City
Dustin Colquitt, Cairo Santos, and Tyreek Hill. All considered to be top tier in their respected categories. Despite the fact that Boswell hit those 6 field goals in the last game Kansas City played, the Chiefs have the edge on Special Teams.
FINAL TALLY : PIT. 4. K.C. 4
The Chiefs stack up well against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The bottom line is outscoring the opponent. Can the defense hold the Steelers to 16 points or less? Can the defense stop teams before they get into field goal range?
Although Kansas City has a plethora of good young talent, they currently lack in offensive super stardom. The Chiefs must still capitalize on every mistake, be extremely disciplined, and take a chance or two downfield to overcome the Pittsburgh curse.
A betting man would put his money on Pittsburgh. Kansas City needs to prove that they can score points regularly before you bet on them beating offensive powerhouses.