Chiefs Vs. Steelers: Reliving Pittsburgh and Kansas City's 2009 Overtime Game

The last time the Kansas City Chiefs took the Pittsburgh Steelers was just over two years ago at Arrowhead Stadium. It was Todd Haley and Scott Pioli's first season at the helm of the franchise. Unfortunately, they entered the Steeler game that season not exactly in the position they imagined - 2-7 and at the bottom of the AFC West. 

This game on November 22, 2009, was one of the few bright spots in a dismal 4-12 season for the Chiefs. 

If you recall, Jamaal Charles gave the Chiefs initial hope against a typically tough Pittsburgh team with a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

I've added the post-game notes I wrote up two years after the jump. One of the things I really like doing is reading through old game threads. I rounded up the game threads from that game and posted them here:

• First open thread;
• Second open thread;
• Third open thread;
• Fourth open thread;
• OT thread; and,
• Post-game open thread.

Game notes are after the jump....

The Good

• Hello Andy Studebaker! The former sixth round pick had two picks of his own against the Steelers. The second one went for 94-yards and a near touchdown.
  
• Jamaal Charles, while not putting up huge numbers, is such a clear advantage over Larry Johnson's lazy style of running. Charles rushed for 
• Speaking of Jamaal Charles, he topped the play of his career last week with a kickoff return for a TD to open the game. Even if Charles is only able to add plays like that a few times a year, those plays can win games for the Chiefs. Again, a huge advantage over Larry Johnson.
• Thank you for Chris Chambers. He'll be invaluable as Dwayne Bowe sits. Too bad he hurt what appeared to be his shoulder on his big catch on the Chiefs' tying drive.
  
• Improved play calling against the Steelers. Even a few plays that nobody expects goes a long way. 
• In the fourth quarter, Mike Brown holding on to Ben Roethlisberger's jersey on third down while the rest of the Chiefs' D jumped on the QB was huge. It may have been the play of the game.
• Derrick Johnson's fourth quarter sack was amazing!
• Jovan Belcher made a HUGE play on over time when he stopped Rashad Mendenhall on the outside for a three-yard loss.

The Bad

• The Chiefs almost sacked Ben Roethlisberger that it was frustrating. The Pittsburgh QB almost magically escaped the Chiefs' pass rush at least a half dozen times. Even one sack could have made the difference between a punt and a score.
  

The Ugly

• The Chiefs pass protection, as usual. The Chiefs gave up 5 sacks to the Steelers.