The Kansas City Chiefs head to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers at they try to finally get over the steel hump. The last time the Chiefs won in Pittsburgh was December of 1986 and in recent seasons, it has certainly felt like Ben Roethlisberger and company have had their number. Roethlisberger is questionable for the game but should play, according to NFL Network.
The #Steelers are a little banged up, but QB Ben Roethlisberger (right elbow), TE Vance McDonald (foot), DT Cameron Heyward (knee), and CB Artie Burns (toe) — listed as questionable — are expected to play vs. the #Chiefs, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 16, 2018
The Steelers are 4-1 in their last five matchups with the Chiefs, including a home divisional-round loss after Kansas City had a first-round bye in what is infamously remembered as the six-field goal game.
But you know all that already. The two major differences this time are Patrick Mahomes at quarterback for the Chiefs and no Le’Veon Bell for the Steelers. The Mahomes era began in Kansas City when the Chiefs traded Alex Smith this offseason. Bell is in the midst of a contract dispute, and backup James Conner should get the start for the second week in a row.
Mahomes will look to build off his hot start last week, when he threw for four touchdowns and 256 yards against the Chargers, an effort that led to him being named the AFC offensive player of the week. It could be argued that the award should have gone to Tyreek Hill, who had three total touchdowns in addition to his 169 receiving yards in the game.
Andy Reid is ready for a fistfight in Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/aTM2AgtPFD
— Arrowhead Pride (@ArrowheadPride) September 10, 2018
The Chiefs will likely seek to get Kareem Hunt, Travis Kelce and Sammy Watkins a bit more involved in Pittsburgh. On the other side, the Steelers offer two of the game’s most dynamic receivers in Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster, so the Chiefs secondary is in for a big test.
The Chiefs will likely once again be without starting safety Eric Berry in this game, and rookie linebacker Ben Niemann is officially out. Ron Parker and Eric Murray are the expected starters at safety.
The Steelers have some key starters officially listed as doubtful, so the injury report will be something to watch.
Nuts and bolts
Location: Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Game time: Sunday, September 16, 2018 | Noon Arrowhead Time
TV channel: KCTV5
Online Stream/Replay: NFL Gamepass
Pregame show: Arrowhead Pride Tailgate, 10 a.m. on 610 Sports Radio in Kansas City | Presented by Albright Buick GMC Cadillac
Radio: 101.1 The Fox (Mitch Holthus, Kendall Gammon and Dani Welniak) | Spanish Radio Broadcast: La Mega 1160 AM (Tico Sports)
Matchup history: Steelers lead 22-10 (regular season)
Odds: Steelers -5.5
Final Injury Report: Chiefs-Steelers
Prediction: Steelers 35, Chiefs 31 (Sweeney) | Full staff predictions
Announcers: Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Dan Fouts (analyst), Evan Washburn (sideline)
Enemy SB Nation site: Behind the Steel Curtain
Twitter: Arrowhead Pride
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Chiefs 2018 regular-season schedule
Week 1 | Sep 09 | Chiefs @ Chargers | StubHub Center | 3:05 PM CBS
Week 2 | Sep 16 | Chiefs @ Steelers | Heinz Field | 12:00 PM | CBS
Week 3 | Sep 23 | 49ers @ Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | 12:00 PM | FOX
Week 4 | Oct 01 | Chiefs @ Broncos | Sports Authority Field at Mile High | 7:15 PM | ESPN
Week 5 | Oct 07 | Jaguars @ Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | 12:00 PM | CBS
Week 6 | Oct 14 | Chiefs @ Patriots | Gillette Stadium | 7:20 PM | NBC
Week 7 | Oct 21 | Bengals @ Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | 12:00 PM | CBS
Week 8 | Oct 28 | Broncos @ Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | 12:00 PM | CBS
Week 9 | Nov 04 | Chiefs @ Browns | FirstEnergy Stadium | 12:00 PM | CBS
Week 10 | Nov 11 | Cardinals @ Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | 12:00 PM | FOX
Week 11 | Nov 19 | Chiefs @ Rams | Estadio Azteca (Mexico City) | 7:15 PM | ESPN
Week 12 | Bye
Week 13 | Dec 02 | Chiefs @ Raiders | Oakland Coliseum | 3:05 PM | CBS
Week 14 | Dec 09 | Ravens @ Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | 12:00 PM | CBS
Week 15 | Dec 13 | Chargers @ Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | 7:20 PM | FOX
Week 16 | Dec 23 | Chiefs @ Seahawks | CenturyLink Field | 7:20 PM | NBC
Week 17 | Dec 30 | Raiders @ Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | 12:00 PM | CBS