Kansas City vs. Pittsburgh: Redux

Kansas City vs. Pittsburgh: Redux

Frank Leggio

We have them right where we want them. Pittsburgh having to come to Arrowhead and deal with the Chiefs rabid fan base is going to be something to behold. While they have the 3 B’s, that’s about it. We have the alphabet. Alex, Berry, Conley, Dustin, Eric, Ford, Gaines, Hali, Houston, Jones, Kelce, Maclin, Mitchell, Nacho, Nelson, Parker, Peters, Poe, Santos, Sorenson, Tyreek, Ware, Wilson, & Zombo. Here’s to all of our players playing to their potential.

Of all the team we could have drawn to play in the Divisional round, I am happy we got the Steelers. Between the dismal failure of a game we played earlier this year and the injuries to the 4 and 5 seeds, this is a chance to show everyone that KC has a football team. If we had faced the Raiders or Texans, we’d be hearing about how they are injured (Carr and Watt). There shouldn’t be any asterisk after this game.

Come Sunday, I expect to see a different team take the field in KCMO than the one that took it in Pittsburgh. I think they finally found the secret sauce to produce points and win games. Just do what they do. Don’t over think it and don’t over analyze it. Play Chiefs football.

If the Pittsburgh Steelers are expecting a repeat of the first game, then they have another thing coming. This team has evolved over the season and developed a pretty interesting identity. They aren’t a Steel Curtain Defense or a Greatest Show on Turf Offense, instead they are the Death By A Thousand Cuts Team. They play small ball until their opponent makes a mistake and then BANG big play touchdown. It could be in the form of a Pick Six (or the infamous Pick Two) or a Punt Return TD or a Jet Sweep/Bubble Screen to the house.

This team has learned how to win and doesn’t give up. From the first game of the year on they have been in challenging situations where they fell behind. In past years we would have folded up and lost the game. This year, they can come from behind and win. It is a different attitude and one we have needed for a long time.

While I fully expect people to come up with excuses why our victory wasn’t legit, I want there to be as little ammunition as possible. I want the full Steelers team to take the field and play the full game. If we can’t win at home in the playoffs, then we don’t need to move on.

It is also interesting to note that 3 of the 4 matchups are repeats of games earlier in the season. KC vs. Pitt, NE vs. Houston, and Dallas vs. GB, all being won by at least 2 touchdowns.

And there’s The Rub.