After starting 1-0, the Chiefs looked to continue their hot start to the season against the Steelers.
The Patrick Mahomes era started out with a bang last week. The Kansas City Chiefs lit up the scoreboard in L.A. for 38 points. As a starter, Mahomes improved to 2-0, with two divisional wins dating back to Week 17 a year ago.
However, his biggest tests was still ahead. The Kansas City Chiefs started Sunday 0-for-their-last-3 against the Steelers, and Mahomes needed to go into Pittsburgh to get the job done this time. Fortunately he got the job done in a shootout of a 42-37 win over Pittsburugh.
Just like last week, the Chiefs started fast. The offense exploded for 21 unanswered first quarter points. Mahomes blitzed the Steelers for a trio of first quarter passing touchdowns. Chris Conley and Travis Kelce started the scoring affair—two guys who were held in check a week ago. That was just the start of Kelce’s big day. He hauled in 7 passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Kareem Hunt hauled in the third first quarter touchdowns leaving Kansas City Chiefs fans feeling good to say the least.
After holding the Steelers offense to, well, nothing in the first quarter, the Chiefs defense allowed, well, everything in the second frame. The Steelers answered with 21 unanswered points of their own in the second quarter. JuJu Smith Schuster absolutely destroyed newly added Kendall Fuller before the half. The second quarter is where most of Smith-Schuster’s 121 yards came from. He also got into the end zone for a score to end the half and leave things tied going into the locker room.
So within a half the Chiefs gained a 21-point lead, and blew a 21-point lead. Kansas City hasn’t won in Pittsburgh in their last six tries. All was doom and gloom for most Chiefs fans during the break.
The second half started just like the first half. Mahomes tossed a touchdown to Kelce for his second of the day, and Mahomes’ fourth. The Steelers answered with a touchdown of their own and things set up for a good ole fashion shootout. Mahomes lofted a ball to the back of the end zone rolling to his non-throwing side for DeMarcus Robinson to put Kansas City up 35-28. The Chiefs defense forced the Steelers to put and Mahomes wasted no time posting his sixth touchdown of the afternoon to speedster Tyreek Hill, who did not get even a touch during the first half.
The defense for Kansas City again sured up. The Chiefs forced a punt, which pinned the offense all the way back within the one yard line which ended in a safety making the score 42-30, Chiefs.
After yet another stop by the Kansas City Chiefs, things looked to be smooth sailing from that point. Up 42-30 with the ball in the fourth quarter, fans can actually breath right? Wrong. Chris Conley fumbled the football with 5 minutes to go in the fourth with Pittsburgh being done just 12 with all three timeouts.
James started the ensuing drive with another huge game, which was just a part of the huge day he had. James went for 138-yards on the day, and hit pay dirt. Scandrick dropped a would-be game sealing interception to make things even more interesting. With 4:02 remaining down 12, the Steelers elected to go for it on fourth and three. Of course they got it, and who else but Smith-Schuster to pull it down? After a pair of big plays by Justin Houston, Big Ben on fourth and goal scamped into the end zone for a score.
Mahomes and company took over with 1:59 to go and a five point lead. Hunt carried the ball for nine yards, and a first down ices the game for Kansas City. On second and two, Hunt went right back up the middle for a first down to ice the game.
The Chiefs improved to 2-0 which is surprising. With the K.C. schedule as front loaded as it is, this start is huge. Many believed it was more realistic to expect K.C. to start 0-2 rather than 2-0. The Chiefs finally return home next week for their home opener against the 49ers. Arrowhead will be rocking for their first taste of meaningful Mahomes snaps.