Hello Steeler Nation! Fans have waited eight months since the Steelers last played their home game and that wait will end Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs are coming off a 38-28 win over the Los Angeles Chargers while the Steelers come off a disappointing 21 all tie against the lowly Cleveland Browns last Sunday. This will be a matchup between two of the most explosive offenses in the conference in which both defenses will be tested early and often to make for a lot of fireworks at Heinz Field on a beautiful September afternoon.
Pittsburgh Steelers Week 2 opponent breakdown: Kansas City Chiefs
Offense
The one major change that the Chiefs made this offseason was insert 2017 first round draft pick Patrick Mahomes as the starter replacing veteran Alex Smith who was traded to the Washington Redskins, Mahomes did not disappoint in his second career start last Sunday with a four touchdown performance displaying the arm strength that scout raved about a couple of years ago. The Chiefs also added Sammy Watkins to pair up with Tyreek Hill on the outside and Travis Kelce at tight end.
What the Chief would like to do on Sunday is get Kelce involved in the offense. Kelce only had one catch last Sunday. The Chief would like to get reigning NFL rushing champion Kareem Hunt going as well. Hunt only had 16 carries for 49 yards against the Chargers and nine carries for 21 yards in last seasons matchup against the Steelers. If the Chiefs can get all other weapons firing on all cylinders than this will have the making of the most explosive offense that Andy Reid has ever has at his disposal.
Defense
The Chiefs defense are spearheaded by the pass rushing duo of Justin Houston and Dee Ford. The duo had accounted for 37.5 sacks the previous three seasons. The Chiefs brought over Anthony Hichens from Dallas at inside linebacker to replace long time stalwart Derrick Johnson. Hichens recorded 15 tackles last Sunday. The biggest question mark of the defense for Kansas City is the secondary with Safety Eric Berry still recovering from his Achilles tear as well as fill the shoes of Marcus Peters who was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in the offseason.
The game plan for the Chiefs on defense is to not let Antonio Brown beat them. That means rolling coverage to Brown and force other receivers with Ju-Ju Smith-Schuster an Justin Hunter to beat them. The opportunities for the Steelers will be there because the Chiefs allowed 424 yards passing to Phillip Rivers last week but dropped passes and turnovers bailed the defense out.
Special Teams Notes
Hill had his sixth career touchdown return last week with his 91 yard punt return.
Harrison Butkur went 38/42 on field goals and 28/28 on PATs in 2017
Dustin Colquitt has only on blocked punt in his 14 year career
Prediction: Steelers will ride the momentum of the home town crowd and get one more stop in a high scoring game and will get a 34-27 victory.P
