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Throughout the week leading up to the Pittsburgh Steelers playoff game vs. the two-time defending AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs, most talking heads in the media have either just dismissed the Steelers as having no chance or picked Pittsburgh for the upset based on flimsy logic, most likely to generate clickbait.
Despite the Chiefs being the biggest favorite in the history of the Wild Card game in NFL history (-12.5 points) and only a few weeks removed from the dismal performance by the Steelers in a 36-10 loss, on paper the Chiefs would appear to be the easy pick. Even Ben Roethlisberger threw a (sarcastic) take about the Steelers having no chance, but the games aren’t played on paper and as Chris Berman used to famously say: “That’s why they play the games.”
Yet, when you really look at it, there are at least 7 legitimate, logical, and quantifiable reasons the Steelers can pull off the win and extend the career of #7.
Watt’s performance was clearly impacted by the cracked ribs injury suffered in the final minutes of the Week 15 victory vs. the Tennessee Titans as he was limited to only 1 tackle and 38 snaps as he was seen holding his ribs with trainers during in the Week 16 contest. On Friday, he told the media that he feels “a good amount better” than the last game. The unanimously voted All-Pro and Defensive Player of the Year favorite is not just coming off a career season, headlined by tying the single-season sack record of 22.5, but also leading the league with 21 TFL in addition to 64 total tackles, 5 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries and 7 passes defensed. But even more than that incredible season is just how much of an impact Watt made on the Steelers success as the Steelers were 9-2 in games in which Watt played at least 79% of snaps. The two losses: Watt was coming back early from a groin injury and through COVID. The Steelers are simply a different defense with Watt in the lineup, meaning the Chiefs are going to face a completely different defense than the one they faced a few weeks ago.
CBS Sports
Alex Highsmith entered 2021 with some high expectations, but the 2nd year OLB was struggling to finish off and make the big plays. Watt commented that he could see on film Highsmith was doing the right things, was on the cusp and just had to keep working. It probably contributed to why Melvin Ingram grew disgruntled and wanted out, feeling that he was better than the 24-year old in his first year as a starter. Perhaps the media focusing on the Ingram trade somehow triggered Highsmith to raise his game, but he has clearly leveled up to close out the season with 3 sacks, 3 TFL and 1 FF as his pressures increased. There also has been a surprising play of Derrek Tuszka, who has filled in the rotation to give Watt the much needed breaks in the last month of the season and delivered 2 sacks and 1 FF in spot duty.
Due to the Steelers struggles against the run along with being short-handed, they tried moving Cam Heyward to play more of a NT role as they went with a two-man line. Heyward, who also was named 1st team All-Pro after a 10-sack season that doesn’t even begin describe how much he has carried the defensive line in 2021, was still a massive presence. However, Cam can’t do it all alone and it looks like he won’t have to.
CBS Sports
In addition to Watt and Highsmith, the return of Chris Wormley (7 sacks) brings back punch to a pass rush that wasn’t as dynamic as years past through the first 13 games. Patrick Mahomes was able to pick apart the Steelers defense as he faced minimal pressure (2 sacks for -4 yards), but it might very well be a different story as the pass rush found its footing down the stretch, accumulating 18 of their league leading 55 sacks in the final 4 weeks of the season. The improved rush bolstered the secondary play as they snagged 5 of the 13 interceptions of the year in those same final 4 weeks. It looks like the defense will have all hands on deck to pressure Mahomes into forcing a bad pass. With a Minkah Fitzpatrick policing pass lanes, all it would take is one errant pass to become 7 points for Pittsburgh.
CBS Sports
The Steelers selected Kendrick Green in the 3rd round, a guard with limited experience at center and inserted him into the starting lineup. It’s a lot to ask of any rookie to start at center, even Steelers legends Mike Webster and Dermontti Dawson were groomed into the hardest position for a rookie to start at, especially when not flanked by veterans. Green was inconsistent and struggled much of the year until he was injured and the former Atlanta Falcons 2018 undrafted free agent J.C. Hassenauer stepped in for his first career start vs. the Cleveland Browns. In that first start Najee Harris had his best performance of an impressive rookie season (188 yards) and Hassenauer started again to finish off the season vs. the Baltimore Ravens. Although Green appears to be healthy, Mike Tomlin has been pleased with Hassenauer, giving the Steelers OL flexibility after getting good news from the latest injury report.
CBS Sports
There is this prevailing sentiment that because the Chiefs routed the Steelers a few weeks ago, it is simply going to happen again. This defies any and all logic, because that game has zero impact on the Wild Card game. The Chiefs don’t get to carry any of those points over. There are a lot of precedents of teams winning a postseason rematch, as the Steelers have a proven track record of the accomplishment. The Steelers made a lot of mistakes in that game and have a lot of film to study to not make the same mistakes again. While there’s no guarantee the Steelers adjustments will work, only a fool would believe the game will transpire exactly the same, especially with the Steelers getting back personnel. The Chiefs already will be without RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Tyreek Hill has a questionable game status as he was downgraded with that ominous heel injury late this past week.
In a surprising development, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, who was thought to be lost for the season with a shoulder injury win Week 5, was activated off IR, returned to practice and will play in the Wild Card game. How much of a factor will Smith-Schuster make after missing so much time is debatable, but he has unquestionable chemistry with Roethlisberger and is one of the toughest WRs in football. His presence alone might open up more for the dynamic Diontae Johnson. He’s well suited to make the tough catch underneath that Chase Claypool, who is more suited for downfield throws, has struggled with. Smith-Schuster may only be involved in a limited role, but it could be a significant role, particularly if the game is close late.
Big Ben’s last season may not have had all the shine, but it was special and it had some extremely memorable moments. And there is a significant truth that cannot be denied and that truth is, if your game is close against the Steelers late, you should be nervous on because Roethlisberger finds his “old” self in the 4th quarter. Consider over the course of the season, through the first 3 quarters, Big Ben has a 61.8 completion percentage, 5.7 yards/pass, a TD-INT ratio of 10-9 and a passer rating of 76.3. But in the 4th quarter, his game rises with a 69.8 completion percentage, 7.3 yards/pass, a TD-INT ratio of 12-1 and a passer rating of 109.6. He has a league leading six 4th quarter comebacks and seven game winning drives. Against improbable odds, Roethlisberger led a 27-point 4th quarter comeback that needed just one defensive stop for him to beat the Los Angeles Chargers and top the 28-point record held by Joe Montana. A few weeks later, Roethlisberger nearly made history again, this time with a 29-point comeback that ended with a perfect throw into the hands of Pat Freiermuth to position a tie vs. the Minnesota Vikings – who were more lucky than good at the end of the day.
NBC Sports
Completing the win in one or both of those games (where the short-handed defense without T.J. Watt) surrendered a single long TDs (Mike Williams for 53-yards, Kevin Osborne for 62-yards) changes the entire season narrative of both Big Ben and the Steelers, who would have won the AFC North again with those comebacks.
NBC Sports
The moral of the story is, if the Steelers have a shot late with Big Ben and T.J. Watt, along with the clutch leg of Chris Boswell, it’s a mistake to bet against the magic that can be a storybook ending for a Hall of Famer. In fact, Kansas City’s best (maybe only) chance will need to be a blowout, because if this is a one-score game in the 4th quarter, the Steelers should be the favorite to pull out another ugly win that will be beautiful.
Are you ready to believe that #7 can happen for #7? Share your thoughts below.
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
Despite the Chiefs being the biggest favorite in the history of the Wild Card game in NFL history (-12.5 points) and only a few weeks removed from the dismal performance by the Steelers in a 36-10 loss, on paper the Chiefs would appear to be the easy pick. Even Ben Roethlisberger threw a (sarcastic) take about the Steelers having no chance, but the games aren’t played on paper and as Chris Berman used to famously say: “That’s why they play the games.”
Yet, when you really look at it, there are at least 7 legitimate, logical, and quantifiable reasons the Steelers can pull off the win and extend the career of #7.
1. T.J. Watt is a “good amount better”
Watt’s performance was clearly impacted by the cracked ribs injury suffered in the final minutes of the Week 15 victory vs. the Tennessee Titans as he was limited to only 1 tackle and 38 snaps as he was seen holding his ribs with trainers during in the Week 16 contest. On Friday, he told the media that he feels “a good amount better” than the last game. The unanimously voted All-Pro and Defensive Player of the Year favorite is not just coming off a career season, headlined by tying the single-season sack record of 22.5, but also leading the league with 21 TFL in addition to 64 total tackles, 5 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries and 7 passes defensed. But even more than that incredible season is just how much of an impact Watt made on the Steelers success as the Steelers were 9-2 in games in which Watt played at least 79% of snaps. The two losses: Watt was coming back early from a groin injury and through COVID. The Steelers are simply a different defense with Watt in the lineup, meaning the Chiefs are going to face a completely different defense than the one they faced a few weeks ago.
CBS Sports
2. Alex Highsmith finding his groove
Alex Highsmith entered 2021 with some high expectations, but the 2nd year OLB was struggling to finish off and make the big plays. Watt commented that he could see on film Highsmith was doing the right things, was on the cusp and just had to keep working. It probably contributed to why Melvin Ingram grew disgruntled and wanted out, feeling that he was better than the 24-year old in his first year as a starter. Perhaps the media focusing on the Ingram trade somehow triggered Highsmith to raise his game, but he has clearly leveled up to close out the season with 3 sacks, 3 TFL and 1 FF as his pressures increased. There also has been a surprising play of Derrek Tuszka, who has filled in the rotation to give Watt the much needed breaks in the last month of the season and delivered 2 sacks and 1 FF in spot duty.
3. Cam Heyward has the horses with him
Due to the Steelers struggles against the run along with being short-handed, they tried moving Cam Heyward to play more of a NT role as they went with a two-man line. Heyward, who also was named 1st team All-Pro after a 10-sack season that doesn’t even begin describe how much he has carried the defensive line in 2021, was still a massive presence. However, Cam can’t do it all alone and it looks like he won’t have to.
CBS Sports
In addition to Watt and Highsmith, the return of Chris Wormley (7 sacks) brings back punch to a pass rush that wasn’t as dynamic as years past through the first 13 games. Patrick Mahomes was able to pick apart the Steelers defense as he faced minimal pressure (2 sacks for -4 yards), but it might very well be a different story as the pass rush found its footing down the stretch, accumulating 18 of their league leading 55 sacks in the final 4 weeks of the season. The improved rush bolstered the secondary play as they snagged 5 of the 13 interceptions of the year in those same final 4 weeks. It looks like the defense will have all hands on deck to pressure Mahomes into forcing a bad pass. With a Minkah Fitzpatrick policing pass lanes, all it would take is one errant pass to become 7 points for Pittsburgh.
CBS Sports
4. Center Experience
The Steelers selected Kendrick Green in the 3rd round, a guard with limited experience at center and inserted him into the starting lineup. It’s a lot to ask of any rookie to start at center, even Steelers legends Mike Webster and Dermontti Dawson were groomed into the hardest position for a rookie to start at, especially when not flanked by veterans. Green was inconsistent and struggled much of the year until he was injured and the former Atlanta Falcons 2018 undrafted free agent J.C. Hassenauer stepped in for his first career start vs. the Cleveland Browns. In that first start Najee Harris had his best performance of an impressive rookie season (188 yards) and Hassenauer started again to finish off the season vs. the Baltimore Ravens. Although Green appears to be healthy, Mike Tomlin has been pleased with Hassenauer, giving the Steelers OL flexibility after getting good news from the latest injury report.
CBS Sports
5. Injury & Adjustments
There is this prevailing sentiment that because the Chiefs routed the Steelers a few weeks ago, it is simply going to happen again. This defies any and all logic, because that game has zero impact on the Wild Card game. The Chiefs don’t get to carry any of those points over. There are a lot of precedents of teams winning a postseason rematch, as the Steelers have a proven track record of the accomplishment. The Steelers made a lot of mistakes in that game and have a lot of film to study to not make the same mistakes again. While there’s no guarantee the Steelers adjustments will work, only a fool would believe the game will transpire exactly the same, especially with the Steelers getting back personnel. The Chiefs already will be without RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Tyreek Hill has a questionable game status as he was downgraded with that ominous heel injury late this past week.
6. Good JuJu
In a surprising development, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, who was thought to be lost for the season with a shoulder injury win Week 5, was activated off IR, returned to practice and will play in the Wild Card game. How much of a factor will Smith-Schuster make after missing so much time is debatable, but he has unquestionable chemistry with Roethlisberger and is one of the toughest WRs in football. His presence alone might open up more for the dynamic Diontae Johnson. He’s well suited to make the tough catch underneath that Chase Claypool, who is more suited for downfield throws, has struggled with. Smith-Schuster may only be involved in a limited role, but it could be a significant role, particularly if the game is close late.
7. 4th Quarter Roethlisberger
Big Ben’s last season may not have had all the shine, but it was special and it had some extremely memorable moments. And there is a significant truth that cannot be denied and that truth is, if your game is close against the Steelers late, you should be nervous on because Roethlisberger finds his “old” self in the 4th quarter. Consider over the course of the season, through the first 3 quarters, Big Ben has a 61.8 completion percentage, 5.7 yards/pass, a TD-INT ratio of 10-9 and a passer rating of 76.3. But in the 4th quarter, his game rises with a 69.8 completion percentage, 7.3 yards/pass, a TD-INT ratio of 12-1 and a passer rating of 109.6. He has a league leading six 4th quarter comebacks and seven game winning drives. Against improbable odds, Roethlisberger led a 27-point 4th quarter comeback that needed just one defensive stop for him to beat the Los Angeles Chargers and top the 28-point record held by Joe Montana. A few weeks later, Roethlisberger nearly made history again, this time with a 29-point comeback that ended with a perfect throw into the hands of Pat Freiermuth to position a tie vs. the Minnesota Vikings – who were more lucky than good at the end of the day.
NBC Sports
Completing the win in one or both of those games (where the short-handed defense without T.J. Watt) surrendered a single long TDs (Mike Williams for 53-yards, Kevin Osborne for 62-yards) changes the entire season narrative of both Big Ben and the Steelers, who would have won the AFC North again with those comebacks.
NBC Sports
The moral of the story is, if the Steelers have a shot late with Big Ben and T.J. Watt, along with the clutch leg of Chris Boswell, it’s a mistake to bet against the magic that can be a storybook ending for a Hall of Famer. In fact, Kansas City’s best (maybe only) chance will need to be a blowout, because if this is a one-score game in the 4th quarter, the Steelers should be the favorite to pull out another ugly win that will be beautiful.
Are you ready to believe that #7 can happen for #7? Share your thoughts below.
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
