Kansas City Chiefs vs Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field
Betting Line: Steelers -5.5; O/U 54.0
Projected Score: Chiefs 28 @ Steelers 31
Written by: Logan Leslie (@L_TIMES_TWO)
TV Broadcast:
CBS (local broadcast on KDKA-TV-2) starting at 1:00 p.m. ET. On the call will be Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts as commentators and Evan Washburn as the sideline reporter.
Radio Broadcast:
Steelers Radio Network- Game coverage begins at 1:00 p.m. ET; Pregame programming begins at 9:00 a.m. Calling the game will be Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play), Tunch Ilkin (color analyst) and Craig Wolfley (sideline).
All fans in the Pittsburgh area can listen locally on WDVE 102.5 FM & WBGG 970 AM.
Injury Report:
QB Ben Roethlisberger (Rt. Elbow) - Questionable
CB Joe Haden (Hamstring) - Doubtful
CB Artie Burns (Toe) - Questionable
G David DeCastro (Hand) - Doubtful
TE Vance McDonald (Foot) - Questionable
DE Tyson Alualu (Shoulder) - Doubtful
DE Cameron Heyward (Knee) - Questionable
3 Players to Watch:
1.James Conner: It's no surprise that Conner is number one on this list again in Week 2. In Week 1 vs the Browns, Conner put up a very impressive 192 total yards (31 attempts for 135 yards & 2TD / 5 rec for 57 yards). In this game he seemed to fade towards the end of the game, not only due to the fumble in a key spot but he also only managed three rush attempts in the final 25 minutes of game time that were considered "successful". For those of you who do not know, a successful rush attempt is considered a run of more than 3.3 yards. Regarding this, Randy Fichtner did say that giving Conner all the RB snaps vs Browns was on him: "Thats on the young coordinator. I shoulda got the other running backs in there." Expect to see Ridley and Samuels get a few touches in tomorrow's matchup against the Chiefs, hopefully keeping Conner fresh will maximize his production at the end of the game. Last week Melvin Gordon managed 166 total yards against the Chiefs defense with a large majority through the air. Conner showed strong pass catching ability last week, we could see a similar approach by the Steelers.
Steelers are dominating the trenches today. James Conner touchdown. 22 yards pic.twitter.com/GNkGrZvOEt
— Ian Wharton (@NFLFilmStudy) September 9, 2018
2. TJ Watt/Bud Dupree: TJ Watt was an absolute monster last week against the Browns, totaling 3 sacks, 7 solo tackles, 3 combined tackles and a FG block. With his strong performance he earned Defensive Player of the Week honors. Flipping Watt and Dupree to opposite sides this season is already yielding great production. Dupree managed 8 total QB pressures, 5 tackles and a sack last week. His 8 QB pressures were the most of any defender in Week 1, Watt was also tied Von Miller for the league lead in sacks last week. Steelers have been looking for a break out season from Dupree for a few years now, with another strong showing against the Chiefs it could look like this could be the year. Last week the Chargers only managed 1 sack against Kansas City, hopefully the Steelers have better luck this week.
Bud Dupree led all edge defenders with eight total pressures in Week 1. pic.twitter.com/0AWXvEvK3b
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) September 13, 2018
Stopping @_TJWatt: NOT EASY.
SACK! #HereWeGo
????: CBS #Kickoff2018 pic.twitter.com/TUviQxyGJk
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2018
3. Cam Sutton: In Week 1 Sutton was forced to come into the game after CB Joe Haden left with a hamstring injury. In this week's injury report Haden is listed at doubtful therefore it will likely again, be Sutton to step in. In Haden's absence against Cleveland, Sutton had 2 solo tackles and a big interception late in the game. The 2017 3rd round pick will need to be at the top of his game tomorrow against a Chiefs offense that put up 5 total touchdowns and 362 total yards a week ago.
Good coverage from Cam Sutton and he gets the interception. Ball would've had to be to Gordon's outside shoulder and much higher. Risky throw. pic.twitter.com/TciCvBuXlx
— Ian Wharton (@NFLFilmStudy) September 9, 2018