Steelers hold off Chiefs on final drive

In a game with many penalty flags and turnovers by both teams, the Steelers prevailed. In a gritty 13-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Steelers’ defense forced four turnovers by the Chiefs’ offense and proved to be a stalwart force the rest of the game. A late interception by Keenan Lewis on the Chiefs’ final drive sealed the win for the Steelers.

The Chiefs got on the board first during their first drive of the game. A 41-yard field goal by Ryan Succop put the Chiefs up 3-0.

After an interception by Ike Taylor late into the first quarter, the Steelers got the ball back at the Chiefs’ seven-yard line. The Steelers failed to push the ball into the end-zone and settled for a 21-yard field goal by Shaun Suisham.

Following a second interception thrown by Chiefs QB Tyler Palko at his own 29-yard line, Ben Roethlisberger and Rashard Mendenhall pushed the Steelers up the rest of the field and the drive ended in a touchdown. Ben threw a two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Wesley Saunders to put the Steelers up 10-3.

The Chiefs answered with another field goal two drives later, this time from 49 yards by Succop, to put the score at 10-6.

The Steelers extended their first half lead to 13-6 with only a few seconds left in the half courtesy of a 49-yard field goal by Suisham.

The second half was a complete offensive struggle by both teams because of their respective defenses. The only score was a 40-yard field goal by Succop, leaving the Chiefs still trailing 13-9 with just over seven minutes remaining.

The Steelers were forced to punt with just over four minutes remaining in the game. The Chiefs managed to drive the ball down-field to the Steelers’ 40-yard line but got no further. On their final play of the game, Tyler Palko threw an errant pass intended for Dwayne Bowe, and it was picked off by Steelers’ cornerback Keenan Lewis. Roethlisberger took a knee to run out the remaining 28 seconds on the clock.

Injury and Illness:
Troy Polamalu left the game early in the first quarter after hitting his head on the knee of Chiefs’ offensive tackle Steve Maneri. Polamalu did not play the remainder of the game and his status is currently unknown. According to WPXI reports following the game, Polamalu will receive testing for concussion-like symptoms during next week in Pittsburgh.

Along with Polamalu, center Maurkice Pouncey left during the second quarter of the game with an undisclosed illness. He did not return.

Through the Air:
Big Ben completed 21 of 31 passes with 193 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Antonio Brown was the leading receiver for the Steelers with 81 yards on 4 receptions. Wesley Saunders’ one reception for two yards resulted in the only touchdown of the game.

On the Ground:
The Steelers struggled running the ball against the resilient Chiefs’ defense. Rashard Mendenhall carried the ball 17 times for 52 yards. Isaac Redman added 22 yards on three carries.

Defense:
The Steelers defense gave up 252 yards of total offense to the Chiefs. They also racked up four turnovers throughout the course of the game, three interceptions and one fumble recovery. Ike Taylor, Ryan Mundy and Keenan Lewis recorded the interceptions for the Steelers.

Special Teams:
Shaun Suisham connected on field goals from 21 yards and 49 yards. Emmanuel Sanders had four kickoff returns for 77 yards, the longest a 25-yard return.

Game Ball:
The game ball goes to the entire Pittsburgh Steelers defense. They did not give up a touchdown to the Chiefs and notched four turnovers, one being a key interception by Keenan Lewis on the Chiefs’ final drive of the game.

Next Up:
The Steelers play a key divisional matchup next Sunday in Pittsburgh against division rival Cincinnati. The game is set to start at 1:00 p.m. on CBS.