Maybe there’s life in these Chiefs after all. Kansas City stunned the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime 27-24 behind a resilient defense, Big special teams play and an offense that came to life in the second half.
KC’s Jamaal Charles opened the game with a 97 yard kickoff return for a touchdown. It was the first kickoff return for TD by Kansas City since 2005 when Dante Hall turned the trick.
Ben Rothlesberger shredded Kansas City in the first half throwing for 221 yards and a pair of TD’s. The first Steelers score came on a 36 yard Jeff Reed FG early in the 2nd quarter after a 12 play drive.
Pittsburgh then drove 95 yards in 10 plays. Scrambling from pressure, Big Ben found Hines Ward in the back of the end zone for the 8 yard touchdown and a 10-7 lead.
The Chiefs had just 43 yards offensively in the first half without suspended receiver Dwayne Bowe, punting four times and turning it over on downs at the end of the half. The Steeler defense didn’t seem to miss Troy Polamalu.
With just over minute to go in the half, KC’s Ron Edwards missed a sack on Rothlesberger, who scrambled to throw a 10 yard TD pass to Miller and a 17-7 lead. The Steelers had 279 yards in total offense at halftime.
In his first NFL start, linebacker Andy Studebaker picked off a Rothlesberger pass on a deflection off Heath Miller on the first possession of the second half.
Suddenly the Chiefs showed some offensive life and moved downfield with Cassel connecting with Leonard Pope for a 21 yard TD, capping a 62 yard drive, cutting the lead to 17-14.
With the Steelers driving for a score, Rothlesberger was picked off by Studebaker again, this time in the end zone and the 2nd year player returned it 94 yards to the eight, but KC couldn’t punch it in as Cassel was sacked twice. Ryan Succop kicked a 27 yard FG to tie the game at 17 all at the end of the third quarter.
What Kansas City can’t afford if they were to stay in the game is turnovers and Cassel committed a huge one when he fumbled while being sacked by Lawrence Timmons. James Harrison recovered at the KC 27. Rothlesberger capitalized hitting Rashard Mendenhall for an 8 yard TD to make it 24-17.
KC responded going 91 yards to score. On back to back plays Cassel hit Lance Long for 30 yards and Chris Chambers for 46 yards and a two yard toss to Charles on an underneath toss pass tied it at 24 with just under five minutes to go.
In overtime Rothlesberger was driving his team into field goal range and took a knee to the head scrambling on the first possession. Charlie Batch came in and couldn’t move them close enough and Pittsburgh punted.
Cassel then hit Chris Chambers on a 61 yard crossing route as he took it to the four yard line setting up the Succup game winner.
Cassel was 15 of 30 for 248 yards and 2 TD’s. Rothlesberger was 32 of 42 for 398 yards and 3TD’s but 2 INT’s. Pittsburgh dominated with 515 yards in total offense to 282 for Kansas City, but credit the defense for getting tough when they had to. They came up with two huge sacks late in the contest.
This was a huge wins for several reasons but had to be unbelievably meaningful for coach Todd Haley, who grew up around the Steelers program with his dad as their chiefs scout during their heyday in the 70’s and early 80’s. It also gives them one more victory than this team had a year ago and a 3-2 record over the past five games.
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