Chiefs' loss to the Steelers can be blamed on penalties

Why did the Kansas City Chiefs lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night?

Penalties.

Sure, the Matt Cassel interception hurt, but it was the only turnover of the day. For once, turnovers aren't the sole culprit in a Chiefs loss.

Penalties played a big role in the game for the Chiefs. Officially, they had six of them and it seemed like every single one came at a critical time. The Chiefs killed their own drives on penalties and extended Pittsburgh's. The mistakes came at the worst times.

First quarter

1. False start (Steve Maneri): This came on a third-and-1, pushing the Chiefs back five yards and eventually a punt.

Third quarter

2. Holding (Branden Albert): This wiped away a touchdown pass from Matt Cassel to Dwayne Bowe. It came on a first-and-10 and pushed the Chiefs back 10 yards. This is the drive where Ryan Succop missed a field goal.

3. Unsportsmanlike conduct: The dancing penalty. This came on a third down and should've been an incomplete pass. But the Chiefs dancing gave the Steelers new life. Luckily, KC stuffed the Steelers on this drive and got the ball back.

4. Pass interference (Javier Arenas): Killer. This penalty came on a third-and-3, giving the Steelers new life.

Fourth quarter

5. Roughing the passer (Tamba Hali): There was also a penalty on Abe Elam that was declined. This came on -- you guessed it -- third down. The Steelers got a fresh set of downs on this and ended up kicking a field goal.

6. Pass interference (Tony Moeaki): A 12-yard gain was wiped out by a very questionable call. I didn't see the offensive pass interference and a lot of people didn't either. The Chiefs were bailed out when Cassel found Dwayne Bowe for 27 yards on a fourth-and-15.

If it's not one thing, it's another...