Chiefs-Steelers: 5 issues to look at in Week 17

Christmas Day’s Week 17 motion will begin with a battle of AFC playoff groups.

The (14-1) Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are on the street to play the (10-5) Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Kickoff is ready for midday Arrowhead Time on Netflix, KCTV/5 in Kansas Metropolis and KDKA/2 in Pittsburgh.

A Kansas Metropolis win would wrap up home-field benefit all through the postseason, establishing a possible relaxation interval of at the very least 23 days for key gamers like quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight finish Travis Kelce and defensive deal with Chris Jones — who was restricted in Tuesday’s apply with a calf harm.

The Chiefs might want to overcome a short-week street journey — and a Steelers workforce that badly wants a win to remain on prime of the AFC North.

Listed here are 5 issues to look at on Christmas.

1. Maintaining Patrick Mahomes upright

Within the three video games earlier than Saturday’s 27-19 win over the Houston Texans, Kansas Metropolis’s two-time MVP quarterback was sacked (or hit) 34 instances. However towards the Texans, the Chiefs’ go protectors allowed only one sack and no different registered hits.

That one play will be chalked as much as Houston’s nice execution, too.

Whatever the standing of veteran left deal with D.J. Humphries — who has not practiced since his hamstring harm — Saturday’s clear effort must be duplicated towards a Steelers protection that ranks second in quarterback knockdown fee (12%). Outdoors linebacker T.J. Watt has 11.5 sacks and leads the NFL in each tackles-for-loss (18) and compelled fumbles (6).

The All-Professional edge rusher nearly solely performs towards the best facet of the offensive formation — which is a weak spot as a result of beginning proper deal with Jawaan Taylor has been restricted on this week’s practices with a knee harm.

The Chiefs might want to have eyes (and palms) on Watt — and in addition preserve monitor of defensive lineman Cameron Heyward on the within. Edge rushers Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig are additionally reliable threats from the left edge. That trio has mixed for 18.5 sacks and 5 compelled fumbles this yr.

2. Sustaining rhythm within the passing recreation

One of the simplest ways to keep away from the go rush is to do away with the ball shortly. That was the theme towards Houston, when Mahomes recorded his lowest common time to throw of the season (2.5 seconds).

The development of Kansas Metropolis’s receiving corps is the first cause this was potential. Rookie Xaiver Worthy arguably had his greatest recreation on Saturday, racking up a career-high 61 yards after the catch over seven catches; every catch was made after fewer than 10 air yards.

However it wasn’t simply Worthy’s persevering with development. Hollywood Brown’s return from harm opened issues up for all the passing assault — and Mahomes trusted him immediately. Brown ran the workforce’s seventh-most routes (14) however ended with the second-most targets (8).

The offense will proceed utilizing that duo’s pace to stretch protection skinny. When the explosiveness will get blanketed, huge receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been a security valve on the surface. He’ll face a Steelers cornerback group that’s lacking its prime participant: Joey Porter Jr. is out with a knee harm.

3. Protecting the perimeter

The Chiefs’ protection will proceed to give attention to limiting explosive performs. The Pittsburgh offense lives on lengthy completions — which can be very true with star wideout George Pickens coming back from a hamstring harm that sidelined him for 3 weeks.

Earlier than that, he performed six video games with beginning quarterback Russell Wilson. In that stretch, just one NFL starter averaged extra passing yards per try (8.7) than Wilson. Weeks 7-13 featured Pickens making large performs: on passes thrown 20 or extra yards downfield, he led the league in catches, yards and first downs earned.

The Chiefs’ cornerbacks might want to fight Pickens’ skill to complete contested catches. The Steelers also can throw to the big-bodied former Los Angeles Chargers huge receiver Mike Williams. This battle exterior the numbers can be a key for the Kansas Metropolis protection.

4. The go rush probably with out Chris Jones

In Saturday’s recreation, Jones left the sector after tweaking his calf. With the postseason on the horizon, it might not be price pushing the workforce’s greatest defender by an harm that may completely worsen with exercise.

Which will sluggish the momentum the go rush has gained since defensive finish Charles Omenihu returned from harm — however it additionally presents an necessary take a look at for complimentary gamers to step up. On common, Wilson has been sacked on 8.2% of his dropbacks — the league’s tenth-highest fee.

Wilson will make go rushers work to complete sacks, however stress can nonetheless succeed by disrupting his rhythm and forcing him out of construction. On dropbacks lasting longer than 2.5 seconds, Wilson completes solely 58% of his passes; three of his 4 interceptions have are available these conditions.

5. Situational execution

Just lately, the Kansas Metropolis protection has been nice on third down, pushing the season-long conversion fee to 51%. The league-leading mark can also be the workforce’s highest share since 2021.

These conditions can be challenged by a veteran Pittsburgh protection that permits third-down conversions on the league’s fifth-lowest fee (35%). The Steelers even have playmakers over the center — like security Minkah Fitzpatrick and linebacker Patrick Queen — who can blow up among the Chiefs’ go-to methods to maneuver the chains or end a red-zone possession.

On the flip facet, the Kansas Metropolis protection will face a Steelers’ offense that ranks thirtieth in red-zone conversion fee. Pittsburgh has struggled to work in condensed area, so the Chiefs’ linebackers and safeties will play a giant half in persevering with that pattern. However they should do it with out nickel security Chamarri Conner, who’s out for Wednesday’s recreation with a concussion.