It's late, I'm tired, mentally exhausted, and emotionally frustrated, so I won't spend a lot of time recapping this one. The bottom line is that the Steelers took an ugly win and improved to 8-3 to keep pace with the Ravens, Patriots, and Texans for the top record in the AFC. The bad news is that if the season ended today, Pittsburgh would be a wild card team.
If you thought the Steelers 23-20 win against the Colts in Crapfest I back in September was aggravating, this one was nothing short of infuriating, as it came after Pittsburgh's bye week late in November, and against a 4-7 team that just lost its starting QB.
Tyler Palko, who got the start for KC at quarterback, donated three interceptions to the Steelers cause. The last one went into the arms of Keenan Lewis with about 30 seconds remaining in the game and Chefs driving near the 37 yard line of Pittsburgh.
Amongst the "craplights" in this one: The Steelers moved the ball near KC's goal line on each of their first three possession, which resulted in a meager total of 3 points, as Mewelde Moore fumbled on the goal line and a pass reception by Antonio Brown was nullified by a holding penalty.
Big Ben, who was playing with a broken thumb on his throwing hand, over threw his target on several deep passes, except for one that he woefully under threw and was promptly picked off at the Chef's 14 yard line.
Polamalu looked like he may have suffered a concussion and left the game in the first quarter and Maurkice Pouncy left the game due to illness. Woodley is still out, and Big Ben's thumb on his throwing hand is still broken.
The Steelers converted only 3 of 11 third downs, while KC managed to make 6 of 15 and 2 of 2 on fourth down.
One bright spot for the Steelers was a spectacular 2 yard touchdown pass from Big Ben, who avoided pressure and hid the ball for a moment behind his back, before hitting rookie tight end Weslye Saunders in the back of the endzone. Saunders, who is listed as 6-5 and 270 lbs., displayed remarkable nimbleness for a big guy and walking a tightrope to come down with the ball.
The Steelers will now have to face the Cincinnati Dingleberries (7-4), who will be fighting for their playoff lives on Sunday, and then the Cleveland Brownie Elves on short rest Thursday evening. Pittsburgh simply can't afford to play as poorly as they did tonight and expect to win again.
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