Looking Ahead: Week 16

Like the team itself, Steelers fans will probably enjoy the win over Denver for about 12-24 hours before turning their collective attention to next weekend.

The Steelers travel to Baltimore for a 1:00PM matchup with the shell of what was formerly the Ravens.  Will the Steelers take care of business and pound what is now an undermanned team?  Or will the cumulative effects of playing four emotional games (okay, the blow-up over Indianapolis might not have been that emotionally taut) catch-up to the Steelers?

Meanwhile, in New Jersey, the Patriots will head to the Meadowlands looking to solidify their position as the #1 seed in the AFC, thereby assuring a bye week.  The other team ahead of the Steelers in the playoff race, Kansas City, hosts Cleveland.

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.

Kansas City vs. Steelers: The matchups

There is no disputing that the Chiefs have a dreadful record (1-7), but some of their statistics (their "internals" to use the parlance of politics) point to a team that may be ready for a breakout performance. Given the way that the Steelers have always played to the level of their opponent, here's hoping that Monday is not a debacle.

Kansas City Offense v. Steelers Defense
Average total yards per game: Kansas City offense 16th (357.5) v. Steelers defense 1st (262.6)
Average net rushing yards per game: Kansas City offense 3rd (149.9) v. Steelers defense 7th (88.6)
Average net passing yards per game: Kansas City offense 7th (207.6) v. Steelers defense 1st (174.0)
Average points per game: Kansas City offense 25th (16.6) v. Steelers defense 1st (20.5)

Steelers Offense v. Kansas City Defense
Average total yards per game: Steelers offense 14th (367.3) v. Kansas City defense 17th (349.9)
Average net rushing yards per game: Steelers offense 21st (104.9) v. Kansas City defense 22nd (102.6)
Average net passing yards per game: Steelers offense 10th (262.4) v. Kansas City defense 11th (247.4)v Average points per game: Steelers offense: 13th (23.9) v. Kansas City defense 30th (30.0)

Special Teams
Average yards per punt return: Kansas City 9th (10.7) v. Steelers 11th (10.2)
Average yards allowed per punt return: Kansas City 29th (13.2) v. Steelers 16th (8.5)
Average yards per kick return: Kansas City 22nd (22.2) v. Steelers 4th (28.0)
Average yards allowed per kick return: Kansas City 17th (24.2) v. Steelers 26th (26.9)
Net yardage punting average: Kansas City 12th (40.4) v. Steelers 27th (37.4)
Opponent net yardage punting average: Kansas City 5th (38.0) v. Steelers 15th (39.1)

Miscellaneous
Turnover differential: Kansas City 32nd (-20) v. Steelers 13th (+0)
Time of possession: Kansas City 4th (31:58) v. Steelers 2nd (34:40)
Red Zone touchdown efficiency (touchdowns): Kansas City 32nd (31.6%) v. Steelers 15th (53.3%)
Red Zone defense (touchdowns): Kansas City 15th (51.4%) v. Steelers 24th (58.3%)
Sacks allowed: Kansas City 14th (17) v. Steelers 17th (18)

Some Individual Numbers
AFC Passer rating: Matt Cassel, 15th (68.9, Comp. Pct.: 60.4, TDs: 6, INTs: 11, Avg. per Comp.: 6.59 yards) v. Ben Roethlisberger, 2nd (101.1, Comp. Pct.: 67.1, TDs: 16, INTs: 4, Avg. per Comp.: 7.39 yards)
AFC Leading rushers: Jamaal Charles, 4th (634 yards, 4.8 yards per carry, 2 TDs) v. Jonathan Dwyer, 16th (299 yards, 5.2 yards per carry, 0 TDs) & Isaac Redman (274 yards, 3.6 yards per carry, 2 TDs)
AFC Leading receivers: Dwayne Bowe, 6th (45 catches, 571 yards, 12.7 per catch, 3 TDs) v. Mike Wallace, 12th (39 catches, 525 yards, 13.5 yards per catch, 5 touchdowns) Note: Antonio Brown,9th in AFC receiving, is not expected to play.
AFC sack leaders: Justin Houston, 5th (6.0 sacks) v. Larry Foote, LaMarr Woodley & Jason Worilds, 20th (3.0)

Shake-up in Kansas City

As the Chiefs prepare for their game next Monday in Pittsburgh come this report that Gary Gibbs has been elevated to the position of Defensive Coordinator, as well as a couple of roster moves.

Are things breaking the Steelers' way?

While seeing the Steelers win is always a fervent desire we have a very strong ethic of not wanting to see opponents -- even Baltimore Ravens -- injured.  But Monday's news that Texans'  quarterback Matt Schaub is likely out for the season has been followed-up Tuesday morning with news that Kansas City QB Matt Cassel has a "serious" hand injury and may be out for the season as well.

The potential impact to the Steelers should be obvious:  Houston's perch at #1 in the AFC now rides on the left arm of Matt Leinart; and the Steelers' next opponent, Kansas City, will (apparently) trot out former Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko to face his hometown team.

Pittsburgh still needs help in the form of an additional Baltimore loss, or two, and the Steelers need to do their part (i.e. win!).  However, a path to the #1 seed is beginning to emerge; and here's hoping the Black & Gold can seize the opportunity.