NFL
NFL Week 2: Kansas City Chiefs vs Pittsburgh Steelers Preview
Time: 1:00 pm Eastern Time
Location: Heinz Field Pittsburgh, PA
Team Records:
Pittsburgh Steelers 0-0-1
Kansas City Chiefs 1-0-0
Past Match-ups:
The Pittsburgh Steelers come into this match-up with a resounding 23-11 all time record vs the Kansas City Chiefs including 7 out of the last 10 head to head battles. Although the record indicates Pittsburgh has dominated this series the average margin of victory has been 5.6 points since 2003. The most recent notable match-up between these two came in the 2017 AFC divisional playoff round where the Steelers stole one on a controversial holding call negating a two point conversion to tie the game as time expired. It’s safe to say when these two teams meet on the field the viewer is in for a treat.
Injury Report:
Pittsburgh Steelers
Heading into this week the Steelers have a few key pieces noted on the injury report. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be limited in practice for elbow soreness. Although it does not appear serious this is something that will be monitored throughout the week. All-Pro Guard David Decastro has a hand fracture and will be a limited participant in practice as well. Starting corner back Joe Haden exited Sundays game against the Cleveland Browns with a hamstring strain, the extent of this injury is unknown but his availability for this game is in doubt. Tight End Vance McDonald who missed last weeks game with a foot injury will be a limited participant this week as well. McDonald’s participation in practice this week will be a big factor for him getting on the field.
Tomlin said Ben's "elbow" may limit him early in the week. No further info on that at the moment.
— Ed Bouchette (@XRuleExecutive) September 11, 2018
Steelers Tomlin: Joe Haden (hamstring) still being evaluated. "We'll see if he's available" for practice Wednesday. DeCastro's hand was broken. "It may affect him from a participation standpoint in practice at least"
— Ed Bouchette (@XRuleExecutive) September 11, 2018
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City left Sundays game against the Chargers relatively unscathed as the only reported injury was to linebacker Ben Niemann who left the game with a hamstring injury. Star safety Eric Berry will enter this week day to day with heel soreness. Although Berry is listed as day to day he has not participated in any football activity since he suffered his torn Achilles in week one of last season. With the limited action he has seen Berry would most likely have to be ready to go by Fridays practice in order to be available for the game Sunday.
Key Matchups
Antonio Brown vs Kendall Fuller/Steven Nelson
As always Antonio Brown will be a feature piece for the Steelers offense looking to attack a chiefs defense that was gashed for 424 yards through the air last Sunday. Look for the Ben to Brown connection to attack this defense often and early.
Tyreke Hill vs Artie Burns
Tyreke Hill had a monster game last week against the Chargers and he will look to repeat this week. With Pittsburgh’s number one corner Joe Haden possibly out, it will be up to Artie Burns to stop Hill. We saw the Steelers defense get burned a few times against lesser competition in week one. Along with Hill’s 169 receiving yards and 2 offensive touchdowns he returned a punt to the house for 91 yards.
Tyreke Hill channeling his inner Lightning McQueen- “I am SPEEEEED” pic.twitter.com/M7fUIeNWFx
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) September 9, 2018
Patrick Mahomes & Kareem Hunt vs Pittsburgh’s Run Defense
In the Steelers week one match-up vs the Browns, Pittsburgh’s run defense was less than stellar. Pittsburgh gave up 177 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground with 77 coming from quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Look for Patrick Mahomes and Kareem Hunt to attack this defense on the ground early. This should help to control the line of scrimmage and get the play action passing attack open for big shots to Hill.
Fantasy Implications
Although the Steelers only came away with 21 points in their season opener they moved the ball consistently. Kansas City’s defense gave up 541 total yards vs the Chargers and that means a lot of fantasy points for players like Antonio Brown, James Conner, and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Look for the Chiefs offense to stay hot as running back Kareem Hunt looks to get back on track. Both Hunt and wide receiver Tyreke Hill are poised for big games vs a defense susceptible to big plays.
Predictions
Although the Chiefs have the momentum coming into this game I cannot ignore the history these two teams have. For some reason the Steelers have the chiefs number as of late. I believe their offense will bounce back from a 6 turnover performance in Cleveland, winning this game in a shootout 35-31.
Make sure to follow me on Twitter @jhallT101Sports
Photo credit to Reid Williams via Flickr
