Send your comments, predictions, smak, & insults about our upcoming opponent as well as your postgame critiques from the previous week. Whether your message is a simple, "Go Steelers!" or detailed, in-depth analysis, tell us what you think and we'll post it.
With all those tears flying, it can be downright confusing trying to tell if Dick Vermeil is happy or sad. Fear not... Mac and Wife is here to help. Here's the tipoff: if Dick is hugging large men between sobs, he's happy.
'Ya know, Dick Vermeil's weekly postgame reaction would make for a good Vegas bet. There really ought to be a line on it, don't 'ya think? After all, there's little doubt that Vermeil is gonna start sobbing uncontrollably at some point during the course of events Sunday when the 2-1 Steelers visit the 1-3 Chiefs. The question is, will 'ole "quivering lip" be shedding tears of joy or sorrow?
My money is on sorrow, but I'm not mortgaging the farm on it. I am, however, loading up on stock in Kleenex (I know, I've used that joke before.. sue me). Enough screwing around. Let's get down to 'bidniss.
Chiefs Facts
Record: 1-3
The Steelers boast the league's #1 rushing attack while K.C.'s run defense is rated 22nd.
K.C.'s 3 losses have come at the hands of the Raiders, Giants, and Broncos.
Without the Skins game to pump their stats, the Chiefs are averaging only 55 yds rushing a game and Trent Green has thrown 6 INTs with only 1 TD.
The Steelers are remarkably healthy. Lee Flowers will play.
First things first: Ignore the Chiefs' 1-3 record. Considering their opposition, I don't think you can look at 'em as a typical 1-3 team. Their 3 losses have come at the hands of the Raiders, Giants, and Broncos... not exactly a bunch of pushovers. Having said that, there are a few matchups that really leap out at me this week as being in the Steelers' favor.
The first is Pittsburgh's #1-rated rushing attack against K.C.'s #22-rating run defense. Can you say, "Eight men in a box?" I'm guessing the Chief's can. To be honest, these guys aren't as bad as they look on paper. Yeah, they gave up about 200 yards to Denver last week, but Bronco Mike Anderson is the only back to gain over 100 yards on K.C., 62 of which came on one run. Having said that, Bettis has had tremendous success against the Chiefs over the years, and Sunday should be no exception. Our O-Line is simply playing outstanding football right now and are the strength of this offense.
Kordell Stewart is gonna give K.C. headaches, too, but not necessarily through the air. All of these little runs and options and fakes that Mularkey has installed in the offense should pay off handsomely against these guys. They aren't likely to fear the passing game, but I guarantee you they're concerned with Kordell finding a seam and streaking 70 yards for a TD. Mark my words, Kordell will make a tremendous impact this week provided he continues to protect the ball.
And, oh, by the way, we also have a certain "forgotten" back named Amos Zeroue back there as well. So are the Chiefs really looking forward to this game as much as they say they are? Don't think so.
There's also plenty of reason for optimism when the Chiefs have the ball, although I must admit that their offensive scheme makes the picture just a little cloudy to me. The fact that the Steelers have been playing superb team defense as of late... that's a given. Add to the mix that the Chiefs are only averaging 55 yards rushing a game if you throw out their "gimme" win over the Deadskins. RB Priest Holmes a good back, but he's no Marshall Faulk, and the Steelers are outstanding against the run (ask Corey Dillon). Lastly, consider that Trent Green (again casting aside the Skins game) has thrown 1 TD and 6 INTs. I can't help but think we're gonna swallow this team whole.
Still, Kansas City's offense presents a number of question marks for Pittsburgh. The Chiefs run a St. Louis-style passing attack with lots of receivers all over the place, so the Steelers are likely to be forced into a lot of nickel and dime alignments. That definitely takes away some of our defensive edge, because it will keep outstanding young ILB Kendrell Bell from seeing much playing time, and he's playmaker. As previously stated, Priest Holmes is unlikely to present much of a problem running the ball. But he could be very damaging as an outlet receiver (I remember what Philly did to us last year by dumping passes to the backs in the flat). The real concern on defense, however, is how well Jason Gildon will matchup against TE Tony Gonzalez, who leads the Chiefs (and all NFL TE's) in receptions. If Gildon contains Gonzalez, the Steelers should win. If not, lookout... if Green is picking us apart with Gonzalez over the middle, it will allow the rest of the K.C. offense to unfold. Ultimately, I think Gildon is up to the challenge.
Lastly, the return of Lee Flowers to the lineup leaves the Steelers remarkably healthy. We have minor things here and there, but nothing that is likely to keep anyone from playing at full speed. The Chiefs, while not decimated by injuries, have enough walking wounded to impact their game. Combine all of these factors and I think you have the recipe for a Steeler win.
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