Chiefs @ Steelers: Official Game Thread

In week 1, the Steelers were tied by the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Now the Steelers travel back to Heinz Field to host the Chiefs.

For the Steelers to win:
The Steelers need to forget about week 1.
The Steelers need to play a complete game (Offense, Defense, Special Teams for 60 min.).
The Steelers need to limit Tyreek Hill.
The Steelers need to run the ball effectively - and use more than one Running Back.
Ben Roethlisberger needs to play well.
The Steelers need to score TDs when in the red zone (and when not).
The Steelers (especiaaly Ben) need to protect the ball. The Steelers need to win the turnover battle.
Alejandro Villanueva, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey, (David DeCastro / B. J. Finney), and Marcus Gilbert need to play well as a unit.

From Steelers Depot:
Steelers Versus Chiefs Week 2 Projected Inactive List

Mason Rudolph – As expected Rudolph’s rookie season started last Sunday with him being the odd quarterback out and thus inactive against the Cleveland Browns. While starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger officially ended this week listed as questionable with an elbow injury, it’s hard to imagine him sitting out the Sunday game against the Chiefs. Assuming he’s good to go, count on Rudolph being inactive on Sunday against the Chiefs.

Joe Haden – After suffering a mild hamstring strain in the Steelers week 1 game against the Browns, Haden then proceeded to miss practice all week. He ended the week listed as doubtful on the team’s injury report and thus it will be a minor miracle if he plays Sunday against the Chiefs. With Haden likely to be inactive on Sunday, look for fellow cornerback Coty Sensabaugh to get his helmet. Sensabaugh was inactive in Week 1.

David DeCastro – Like Haden, DeCastro, the Steelers starting right guard, ended the week listed as doubtful on the team’s official Friday injury report. DeCastro suffered a fractured hand last Sunday against the Browns and it prevented him from practicing all three days. The Steelers will likely give DeCastro at least one game off to heal and that will start Sunday against the Chiefs. With DeCastro likely to be inactive you can expect backup interior offensive lineman B.J. Finney to start in his place at right guard. Additionally, look for the team’s other backup interior lineman, Matt Feiler, to get DeCastro’s helmet Sunday against the Chiefs. Feiler was inactive last Sunday against the Browns.

Tyson Alualu – Alualu suffered a shoulder injury last Sunday against the Browns and while he was able to practice some this past week on a limited basis, he ultimately was listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Chiefs on the team’s Friday injury report. In short, expect Alualu to be inactive on Sunday and for fellow defensive end L.T. Walton to get his helmet. Walton, like Feiler and Sensabaugh, was a healthy scratch in Week 1.

Zach Banner – The Steelers generally have two offensive linemen inactive on game days and with DeCastro unlikely to play Sunday against the Chiefs because of his hand injury, there’s a good bet that Feiler will likely get his helmet after being inactive in Week 1. If that’s ultimately the case, you can count on Banner being inactive for a second consecutive game on Sunday at Heinz Field.

Marcus Allen – As expected, Allen, a fifth-round pick this year, was inactive for the Steelers Week 1 game against the Browns. Likely, Allen will not be given a helmet once again Sunday against the Chiefs.

Xavier Grimble – If the Steelers allow tight end Vance McDonald to make his 2018 debut on Sunday that will be a welcomed sight. Additionally, one would assume that McDonald should be able to play a fair amount of snaps as well if given the go ahead to dress Sunday against the Chiefs. McDonald getting a helmet could result in Grimble being inactive in Week 2. Grimble really isn’t much of a special teams asset and wouldn’t play many, if any, snaps on offense if he’s the No. 3 tight end on Sunday. This last spot is tough to guess as it could go to wide receiver Justin Hunter, linebacker Matthew Thomas, or even McDonald, if the team wants to give him one more week of injury rehab.

 

Tunch Ilkins 3 keys to the game:

Key # 1: Stop The Run
Key # 2: Identify (& Stop) Tyreek Hill
Key # 3: Contain Patrick Mahomes

 

Gidion72 key to the game: Outscore them.

 

Ok as always this board has been like group therapy coming off a Steeler's non-victory. I am turning the page.


PUMPED for this game.....Ben needs to break out against this defense. The O-line needs to play like the O-line....need to mix in a stable of running backs (get Ridley and that playmaker Jaylen Samuels involved for crying out loud) - need Fichtner to use the stable like run-the-wheels off Tomlin never has before....need Fichtner to prove his value.....make Ben run some no-huddle at home and not just TALK about it (at least half the game in no-huddle PUH-LEASE).....NEED DEFENSE TO CONTINUE TO GROW....short on people in secondary but long on back-up talent....need Sutton to turn corner (pun intended) as he is already pretty good....need Sensabaugh to barely play (is Brian Allen back on the team??? never should have been put on practice squad - give that man some reps, he is solid special teamer too, if we have to rely on Sensabaugh entirely he will get beat for at least one TD)....D-line needs to stay healthy and dominate(Tuitt, Heyward, Hargrave).....linebackers need to stay healthy and dominate (we know what we have in Watt so I'm looking at you Bud Dupree) ... need Williams and that dude from chicago Bostic to continue to do well ..... hopefully Davis has great year at safety.....need Hilton to make some plays....Burnett and Edmunds need to be solid back there .....Please tell me James Washington gets active this week (get Hunter the heck out of there except maybe in red zone some).....now than Vance McDonald is healthy let's get him involved but not too involved as don't want him hurt again (equal parts Jesse James and McDonald please)....get all these great receivers of ours super involved and quick reads and releases would be great, preferrably out of no-huddle with confused defense missing assignments....did i miss anything???

I am high energy today : HOME OPENER Y'ALL !!! HERE WE GO HERE WE GO HERE WE GO .....LIVE4SPORT TAIL GATE PARTY !!!

 

Ben misses Washington on first play / bomb.....could have been 7

 

120 yards penalties last game, 10 yards on second play block in back villanueva

 

Ben almost takes a sack and throws incomplete

 

More bombs away benny being inaccurate - story of that drive missing a wide open Washington

 

Steelers sleeping on poor punt and coverage....punt returned to Steelers 10

 

horrible coverage and conley beats artie burnt toast burns (jeesh i can't stand him) for 7 points

7-0 chiefs

total crapfest so far

 

Brian Allen could not be worse than Burns

 

Burns got burnt bad on that TD

 

On further review Burns wasn't able to cover 2 people.....Hilton and DuPree crapped the bed and Burns took the fall in the final frame.

 

Disagree as per showstopper that was a great play by the CB

 

Ok so that was on Hilton, not Burns

 

Offensive line getting pushed back so far....not a good sign....i mentioned earlier they were getting older vs some lines

 

Ben drops good snap on third down and throws out of bounds...PUNT

another drive that goes nowhere

 

Early in the season
Early in the game
But right now it feels like it’s gonna be a looooong season