Chiefs-Steelers: 5 things to watch in Week 17

Christmas Day’s Week 17 motion will begin with a battle of AFC playoff groups.

The (14-1) Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are on the street to play the (10-5) Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Kickoff is ready for midday Arrowhead Time on Netflix, KCTV/5 in Kansas Metropolis and KDKA/2 in Pittsburgh.

A Kansas Metropolis win would wrap up home-field benefit all through the postseason, organising a possible relaxation interval of a minimum of 23 days for key gamers like quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight finish Travis Kelce and defensive deal with Chris Jones — who was restricted in Tuesday’s follow with a calf damage.

The Chiefs might want to overcome a short-week street journey — and a Steelers group that badly wants a win to remain on high of the AFC North.

Listed below are 5 issues to look at on Christmas.

1. Preserving Patrick Mahomes upright

Within the three video games earlier than Saturday’s 27-19 win over the Houston Texans, Kansas Metropolis’s two-time MVP quarterback was sacked (or hit) 34 instances. However in opposition to the Texans, the Chiefs’ cross protectors allowed only one sack and no different registered hits.

That one play might be chalked as much as Houston’s nice execution, too.

Whatever the standing of veteran left deal with D.J. Humphries — who has not practiced since his hamstring damage — Saturday’s clear effort must be duplicated in opposition to a Steelers protection that ranks second in quarterback knockdown price (12%). Outdoors linebacker T.J. Watt has 11.5 sacks and leads the NFL in each tackles-for-loss (18) and compelled fumbles (6).

The All-Professional edge rusher nearly completely performs in opposition to the proper facet of the offensive formation — which is a susceptible spot as a result of beginning proper deal with Jawaan Taylor has been restricted on this week’s practices with a knee damage.

The Chiefs might want to have eyes (and fingers) on Watt — and in addition preserve monitor of defensive lineman Cameron Heyward on the within. Edge rushers Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig are additionally respectable threats from the left edge. That trio has mixed for 18.5 sacks and 5 compelled fumbles this 12 months.

2. Sustaining rhythm within the passing sport

The easiest way to keep away from the cross rush is to eliminate the ball shortly. That was the theme in opposition to Houston, when Mahomes recorded his lowest common time to throw of the season (2.5 seconds).

The development of Kansas Metropolis’s receiving corps is the first cause this was doable. Rookie Xaiver Worthy arguably had his finest sport on Saturday, racking up a career-high 61 yards after the catch over seven catches; every catch was made after fewer than 10 air yards.

But it surely wasn’t simply Worthy’s persevering with development. Hollywood Brown’s return from damage opened issues up for all the passing assault — and Mahomes trusted him immediately. Brown ran the group’s seventh-most routes (14) however ended with the second-most targets (8).

The offense will proceed utilizing that duo’s velocity to stretch protection skinny. When the explosiveness will get blanketed, broad receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been a security valve on the skin. He’ll face a Steelers cornerback group that’s lacking its high participant: Joey Porter Jr. is out with a knee damage.

3. Masking the perimeter

The Chiefs’ protection will proceed to deal with limiting explosive performs. The Pittsburgh offense lives on lengthy completions — which shall be very true with star wideout George Pickens coming back from a hamstring damage that sidelined him for 3 weeks.

Earlier than that, he performed six video games with beginning quarterback Russell Wilson. In that stretch, just one NFL starter averaged extra passing yards per try (8.7) than Wilson. Weeks 7-13 featured Pickens making massive performs: on passes thrown 20 or extra yards downfield, he led the league in catches, yards and first downs earned.

The Chiefs’ cornerbacks might want to fight Pickens’ potential to complete contested catches. The Steelers can even throw to the big-bodied former Los Angeles Chargers broad receiver Mike Williams. This battle outdoors the numbers shall be a key for the Kansas Metropolis protection.

4. The cross rush doubtlessly with out Chris Jones

In Saturday’s sport, Jones left the sector after tweaking his calf. With the postseason on the horizon, it will not be value pushing the group’s finest defender via an damage that may completely worsen with exercise.

Which will gradual the momentum the cross rush has gained since defensive finish Charles Omenihu returned from damage — however it additionally presents an necessary take a look at for complimentary gamers to step up. On common, Wilson has been sacked on 8.2% of his dropbacks — the league’s tenth-highest price.

Wilson will make cross rushers work to complete sacks, however stress can nonetheless succeed by disrupting his rhythm and forcing him out of construction. On dropbacks lasting longer than 2.5 seconds, Wilson completes solely 58% of his passes; three of his 4 interceptions have are available in these conditions.

5. Situational execution

Lately, the Kansas Metropolis protection has been nice on third down, pushing the season-long conversion price to 51%. The league-leading mark can also be the group’s highest proportion since 2021.

These conditions shall be challenged by a veteran Pittsburgh protection that enables third-down conversions on the league’s fifth-lowest price (35%). The Steelers even have playmakers over the center — like security Minkah Fitzpatrick and linebacker Patrick Queen — who can blow up a few of the Chiefs’ go-to methods to maneuver the chains or end a red-zone possession.

On the flip facet, the Kansas Metropolis protection will face a Steelers’ offense that ranks thirtieth in red-zone conversion price. Pittsburgh has struggled to work in condensed area, so the Chiefs’ linebackers and safeties will play a giant half in persevering with that development. However they must do it with out nickel security Chamarri Conner, who’s out for Wednesday’s sport with a concussion.