The Kansas City Chiefs are only down by seven points to the Pittsburgh Steelers with about eight minutes left in the first half. I think most Chiefs fans would agree that this isn't a bad spot to be in during the second quarter. 

In what I imagine will be a continuing theme this evening, the only reason the Chiefs are in this football game is because of the play of their defense. The pass rush and the play of the secondary especially are keeping KC in the game. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, Ben Roethlisberger's agility in the pocket is also the reason Pittsburgh is winning. Big Ben is having that good of a game in my opinion. 

You know what isn't keeping the Chiefs in this game? Tyler Palko. Kyle Orton can't get on the field fast enough. 

Here are some notes on the second quarter:

• The first quarter ended with a Tyler Palko pick. Cris Collinsworth noted that the pass was at least 15-yards under thrown. 
• I mentioned in the first quarter game notes that the Chiefs' defense was to thank for the close game. It was the defense again coming up big, holding the Steelers to a field goal after the Palko pick. KC's goal line stand was impressive and a huge, huge play right now. 
• Kansas City's defense again held the Steelers to a field goal. Most notably the pass rush and the play of Brandon Flowers nearly forced an early end to the Steelers' drive, until Jon McGraw's holding penalty gave Pitt new life. Roethlisberger eventually found his tight end in the back of the end zone for the game's first touchdown. 

Will the Chiefs keep it close? Or are the Steelers on the verge of blowing out KC?