Steelers-Chiefs: 3 Keys to victory

Hello, all. Sunday night is a big night. It's Steelers-Chiefs, and at stake is a hot date with Tom Terrific. Here are three things that the Steelers can do to get that date.

Key #1: Ring the Bell

The Steelers offense almost always runs through Le'Veon Bell. Tonight, that holds especially true, since it will be cold in Kansas City, and cold weather makes it harder to throw the football. Also, the Chiefs have a bottom five run defense. I don't expect Big Ben to have one of his 400+ yard masterpieces against this Chiefs defense, as the KC secondary is too talented to let that happen. Therefore, as always, Bell will get a lot of carries and do some work catching out of the backfield. The louder the Bell rings, the better chance the Steelers have at victory.


Key #2: No big mistakes 

KC's Marcus Peters is a big threat to make a big pick. (Photo creds to bleacher report)

The Steelers don't need Ben Roethlisberger to light it up to win today. But they do need Ben Roethlisberger not to make a terrible mistake. As I referred to above, the Chiefs are 5th in the NFL in pass coverage, and the most impressive aspect of their defense is their ability to take the ball away. In 16 games this season, KC has intercepted 18 passes, with four of those returned for touchdowns, and they have forced 19 fumbles, recovering 15 of those. If you do the math, the Chiefs force a little over two turnovers per game. In a matchup as even as this one, any play can be the difference, so it is critical for Pittsburgh not to stub their toe on offense.

Key #3: Stop Tyreek Hill

The wide receiver/return man from West Alabama has evolved into one of the league's most dangerous weapons. Hill can hurt the Steelers in a lot of ways, whether on special teams, in the air, or in the running game. If the Steelers neutralise Hill, I like their chances to keep the Chiefs offense from doing too much damage. However, in a contest like this, one big play from Hill could send the Steelers home for the winter.

Final Prediction
I have this weird feeling about the Steelers, in that I am not nervous at all headed into this game. I just don't see the Steelers losing. Maybe it's because they've won eight in a row. Maybe it's because of how they handled Miami last week. Whatever the case may be, I don't see the Steelers season ending at Arrowhead. Bells will be ringing. Brown will be singing. Towels will be waving. Rejoice, Steeler Nation.

Steelers 24, Chiefs 14