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Six encouraging signs from KC Chiefs win over Pittsburgh Steelers

By Lyle Graversen

Jan 16, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Byron Pringle (13) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC Wild Card playoff football game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Byron Pringle (13) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC Wild Card playoff football game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 16: Najee Harris #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball as Derrick Nnadi #91 of the Kansas City Chiefs defends in the first quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 16: Najee Harris #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball as Derrick Nnadi #91 of the Kansas City Chiefs defends in the first quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Stuffing the Run

The Chiefs are a team that wants to force teams into third-and-long situations so they can unleash their pass rushers and blitz packages. A big part of making that happen is stuffing the run on early downs and the Chiefs did just that against the Steelers.

Najee Harris is a great young running back, but the Chiefs held him to just 12 carries for 29 yards and 2.4 yards/carry on Sunday. Yes, the Steelers offensive line isn’t great, but the Chiefs were where they needed to be on almost every run and wrapped up the ball carrier when they had a chance.

If the Chiefs can do that again next week against the Bills, it will greatly help their cause. Devin Singletary rushed for 81 yards and 5.1 yards/carry against the Patriots on Saturday, and if the Chiefs consistently give up 5 yards/carry on first or second down to the Bills it will make life way too easy for Josh Allen.

The Chiefs’ defense has been a little “Jekyll and Hyde” against the run this season. At times they have been absolutely dreadful, missing tackles and drifting out of position. At other times they have looked like one of the best run defenses in all of football like they did on Sunday. They will need another good performance against the run next week and will definitely need to wrap up and tackle Allen as he is maybe Buffalo’s best threat to break a big run.

Finally, there was a positive sign in coverage too.

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