Chiefs Host Steelers, Wild Card: Preview and OPEN THREAD

The Kansas City Chiefs are ready, the Pittsburgh Steelers are ready, there’s nothing left to do now but play the game. Many pundits are picking K.C. in this one, as am I, but that’s worrisome. Worrisome… why? Because you can’t take anything, or in this case, any foe, for granted. That said, I don’t think the Chiefs are taking the Steelers for granted… I hope. At least Andy Reid is saying all the right things, as are the rest of the Chiefs players and coaches.

Same for OC Eric Bieniemy:

Bieniemy addresses interview there but the reality is, I’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t get at least one offer from a team to be their head coach.

Referee Crew

4th-year NFL referee Shawn Smith and an crew are assigned to work the Chiefs wild-card playoff game against the Steelers. From ChiefsWire.com:

“He was assigned to the Chiefs-Packers game in Week 9. During that game, Smith’s crew called their fourth-fewest penalties of the season (10) with six against Kansas City and four against Green Bay. He was also assigned to the Chiefs-Chargers game on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 15. During that game, Smith’s crew called the third-fewest penalties of the season (9) with five penalties on the Los Angeles and four on Kansas City.”

Sounds like a good bet for the Chiefs. Shawn Smith will be working the game with an all-star crew of officials, per ChiefsWire.

Announcing Crew

The announcing crew for tonight’s game between the Chiefs and the Steelers are Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth with the Field Reporter being Michele Tafoya. While some disdain this pair of announcers, they are not as bad as other pairs in the business, so enjoy, if you can.

Retirement Party

Many are touting this game as the Steelers Retirement Party for the long time QB, Ben Roethlisberger.

Chiefs fans only need to remember that this game will only be a retirement party… if… the Chiefs win. I agree with “King” when he says:

Seeding and Re-seeding

If the #2 seed, Chiefs, beat the Steelers they will go on to host the #3 seed Buffalo Bills while the Tennessee Titans would then host the #4 seed, Cincinnati Bengals. However, if by some chance, the Chiefs lose to the Steelers, then the Bill will host the Bengals and the Titans will host the Steelers… God forbid.

Roster Changes

The Chiefs have elevated both TE Daurice Fountain and RB Darwin Thompson from the Practice Squad to the active roster.

The Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster has said he’ll play in this game.

Chiefs Medical/Care Staff

Bang the Drum Loudly

Priest Holmes will be this week’s honoree drum banger.

How the Chiefs Lose This Game

When the two teams met in week 16, the Steelers didn’t have T.J. Watt who now holds the single season record for sacks with 22.5, and if they can’t stop him or plan around him, it could be a very long cold day for Patrick Mahomes, as well as the end of a productive season. Pete Sweeney says of T.J.Watt:

“The Chiefs will need to find a way to neutralize the now-healthy Watt so that their offense can operate.”

The Steelers were also missing tight end Pat Freiermuth, who was out with a concussion. If the Chiefs can’t counter those additions for Pittsburgh, it could mean a much tougher game than expected. The Chiefs had an 8-game winning streak in which they allowed very few points per game, but they allowed 34 then 24 points in the last two games… so, if they can;t make the right adjustments and somehow end up allowing the Steelers to score more than 20 points, they’l have a much more difficult time winning. Probably the biggest problem the Chiefs — or any team — could face is turnovers. If he Chiefs turn the ball over like they did early in the season, it allows the Steelers to hang around, maybe long enough to win it.

How the Chiefs Can Win This Game

For the Chiefs, they were without TE supreme Travis Kelce in their week 16 contest with Pittsburgh, so the offensive engine should primed to go. The Chiefs should win this game, but that may be based on reputation more than recent performances. If Andy Reid is 100% focused and Patrick Mahomes is fully rested and ready to go, the Chiefs will have a huge advantage. The #1 way to a win is: to win the give away/take away game.

Sunday’s Weather

What’s your take on this game?

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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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