Kansas City vs. Steelers: The actuals

Did this game remind anyone else of the Monday night game, versus Miami, immediately before which the Steelers replaced the Heinz Field turf (the one we lovingly refer to as the "Muck Bowl")? Well, just remember that we predicted a breakout performance of the Chiefs; and if not for some ridiculous penalties we would all be talking about another Steelers loss to a woeful AFC West opponent instead of Ben's injured shoulder. While it may be gruesome to do so, here is a look at the actual numbers versus the season's averages (in parentheses) coming into the game. One nugget worth looking at: The Steelers' average punt return figure -- breathtaking.

Kansas City Offense v. Steelers Defense
Total yards: Kansas City offense 290 (357.5) v. Steelers defense (262.6)

Net rushing yards: Kansas City offense 142 (149.9) v. Steelers defense (88.6)

Net passing yards: Kansas City offense 154 (207.6) v. Steelers defense (174.0)

Points: Kansas City offense 13 (16.6) v. Steelers defense (20.5)


Steelers Offense v. Kansas City Defense
Total yards per game: Steelers offense 249 (367.3) v. Kansas City defense (349.9)

Net rushing yards: Steelers offense 95 (104.9) v. Kansas City defense 22nd (102.6)

Net passing yards: Steelers offense 157 (262.4) v. Kansas City defense 11th (247.4)

Points: Steelers offense: 16 (23.9) v. Kansas City defense 30th (30.0)


Special Teams
Yards per punt return: Kansas City 5.7 (10.7) v. Steelers 1.3 (10.2)

Yards per kick return: Kansas City 20.4 (22.2) v. Steelers 23.0 (28.0)

Net punting average: Kansas City 39.1 (40.4) v. Steelers 36.5 (37.4)


Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Kansas City 0 (-20) v. Steelers 0 (+0)

Time of possession: Kansas City 29:18 (31:58) v. Steelers 31:37 (34:40)

Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Kansas City 33% (31.6%) v. Steelers 25% (53.3%)

Sacks allowed: Kansas City 2 (17) v. Steelers 1 (18)


Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Matt Cassel, 46 (68.9, ACTUALS: Comp. Pct.: 42.3, TDs: 0, INTs: 1, Avg. per Comp.: 14.0 yards) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 81.7 (101.1, ACTUALS: Comp. Pct.: 50.0, TDs: 1, INTs: 1, Avg. per Comp.: 9.3 yards) & Byron Leftwich, 65.5 (ACTUALS: Comp. Pct.: 50.0, TDs: 0, INTs: 0, Avg. per Comp.: 10.4 yards)

AFC Leading rushers: Jamaal Charles, 100 yards, 4.3 yards per carry, 1 TD (634 yards, 4.8 yards per carry, 2 TDs) v. Jonathan Dwyer, 56 yards, 2.9 yards per carry, 0 TDs (299 yards, 5.2 yards per carry, 0 TDs) & Isaac Redman 21 yards, 2.6 yards per carry, 0 TDs (274 yards, 3.6 yards per carry, 2 TDs)

AFC Leading receivers: Dwayne Bowe, 4 catches, 55 yards, 13.8 per catch, 0 TDs (45 catches, 571 yards, 12.7 per catch, 3 TDs) v. Mike Wallace, 3 catches, 14 yards, 4.7 per catch, 1 TD (39 catches, 525 yards, 13.5 yards per catch, 5 touchdowns) Note: Heath Miller, 4 catches, 47 yards, 11.8 per catch, 0 TDs

AFC sack leaders: Justin Houston, 1 (6.0 sacks) v. Larry Foote, LaMarr Woodley & Jason Worilds, All had zero sacks. (3.0) Note: Brett Keisel led the Steelers with two sacks on the night.