Steelers' offense getting back to full strength in time for matchup against Chiefs on Christmas Day
There will be plenty at stake when the Kansas City Chiefs face the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Christmas Day. It's a simple scenario for the Chiefs. If they win, they clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC, earning the crucial first-round bye week. If they lose, they can still secure the No. 1 seed […]
There will be plenty at stake when the Kansas City Chiefs face the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Christmas Day.
It's a simple scenario for the Chiefs. If they win, they clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC, earning the crucial first-round bye week. If they lose, they can still secure the No. 1 seed in Week 18, but will be a must-win situation in a road matchup against the Denver Broncos.
For the Steelers, they are in a deadlock with the Baltimore Ravens at 10-5 for the AFC North lead. They have the tiebreaker over the Ravens, but can't fall behind them in the win-loss column. As Pittsburgh looks to stay ahead of Baltimore in the final two weeks, it's offense will be getting a huge boost.
Star wide receiver George Pickens was a full participant in practice on Monday and is on track to make his return against the Chiefs. The Steelers have been without Pickens in each of their last two games as he nursed a hamstring injury, and their offense has struggled without him.
Pickens has caught 55 passes for 850 yards and three touchdowns this season. He is a big, physical target at 6-foot-3 with strong hands and underrated speed. He has established a good chemistry with quarterback Russell Wilson, who won't hesitate to throw the ball to Pickens even if he's covered.
When asked how he's preparing for the Steelers' offense, Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo noted that the Chiefs' defensive backs will have to win contested passes from Wilson against Pittsburgh's receivers.
"First of all, that quarterback [Russell Wilson], we know what he's about," Spagnuolo said. "He's all about making big plays. He loves to chuck the ball deep. He's got guys, and he's got a lot of confidence in them to go up and get it. And we got to be on point back there. I mean, we've been playing the ball pretty well in the back end the last couple of games, so that needs to continue in this game. And when we get these 50-50 jump balls against Pittsburgh Steelers, we got to try to win more than we lose on those, that'll make a big difference in the game."
Trent McDuffie has been a lockdown cornerback all year for Kansas City, but the combination of Joshua Williams and Nazeeh Johnson behind him has been subpar. Hopefully the Chiefs can find a way to get McDuffie matched up against Pickens more often than not. Pat Freiermuth is also having an excellent season, and K.C. has struggled mightily against tight ends this season.
However, two young defensive backs in Jaden Hicks and Chris Roland-Wallace have emerged and played well over the last few weeks for the Chiefs. Hicks has intercepted a pass in each of his last two games, and Roland-Wallace has nine tackles and a forced fumble over that span.
The Chiefs' defense has forced eight turnovers over the past two weeks. Like Spagnuolo said, if Chiefs defensive backs can win some of the 50-50 jump balls that Wilson likes to throw, it will slow down Pittsburgh's offense. It they can continue to intercept passes, that could be the difference in the game.
Final predictions for key AFC tilt between Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day in Week 17
The A to Z Sports staff predicts the outcome of the Week 17 Christmas Day game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
