Week 10 - Slip 'N Slide

The Chiefs travelled to Pittsburg's Heinz Field this weekend to take on the Steelers in a Monday night showdown. KC came into town as huge underdogs but the Pennsylvania weather made the game a bit more competitive than the fans were anticipating. The game was less about who wanted to win and more about who was going to screw up enough to lose. I'm not sure what it is about some fields like Soldier Field in Chicago and Heinz Field, but there is something that makes them incredibly sloppy every time it rains or snows. The footing is bad for both teams and it makes it difficult for all the players to cut and change direction. 

While some people (mostly old-timers), think that this is "real" football. However, I think that those conditions make the game far less entertaining. Professional football features some of the best athletes in the world and I think that when you those abilities away with the field conditions then you aren't getting the same quality game. It also evens the playing field way too much. The Steelers are the far superior team, but since both teams were limited in using their athletic ability and strength the game becomes more about who can hang on to the ball better. 

This week's game was just that and the Chief's were able to keep it close. Both teams couldn't move the ball at all. The Chiefs had just 290 yards and the Steelers actually had fewer with only 249. We had the advantage in the running game as Jamaal Charles rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries and Peyton Hillis added another 30 yards and a nice change up to Charles' style. I think that's the way we should use the two backs every week. 

The difference in the game was the timing of each teams' turnovers and the kickers. Each team had just one turnover but Matt Cassel's lone interception came in overtime in our own territory. Lawrence Timmons picked off a pass that never should have been thrown and returned it inside the Chief's five yard line. The other difference was shown in the next play. Earlier in the game Ryan Succop missed a field goal wide to the right making him 2 for 3. After the interception, Shaun Suisham immediately came out and made his third field goal of the night.

We did have our first lead in a game all year going up 10-0 early but that lead was quickly relinquished and we lost 16-13 in overtime. Some might say we looked better than we have lately, but I'd say the Steelers and the field made us look better than we are. Next week we take on the Cincinnati Bengals at home. I'm expecting another loss but hey, I'm still rooting for them!

Players of the Game

Chiefs

Offense: Jamaal Charles - After just 5 carries against the Raiders, Charles looked healthy and quick. He had 23 carries for 100 yards and scored a touchdown. He was the main source of the little offense that we had and he actually held onto the ball this week. I hope we continue to give him the carries he deserves.

Defense: Derrick Johnson - If DJ doesn't make the pro-bowl this year it will be a shame. He is the only consistent linebacker we have at the moment and he is playing like a bonafide stud. He had 12 tackles Monday (by far the most on the team) and did a lot of it on his own. A linebacker needs help from his defensive line almost all the time, to keep the offensive line from reaching his level, but there were multiple times where he was just too athletic to be blocked by the Steeler's o-line. He continues to impress me weekly.

Steelers: Shaun Suisham - The kicker gets some credit this week. He was 3 for 3 on the sloppy field. Even though none of them were very far, with the farthest one being a 35-yarder, he was still dependable. His dependability turned out to the the difference in the game after Succop went 2 for 3 in the same conditions.