Week 6 Game Recap: Kansas City Chiefs 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 45

What you need to know

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs’ offense barely showed up. Their first six possessions ended with punts, followed by an interception on their seventh possession. They went three and out six consecutive times as well and found themselves down 31-0 at halftime. After RB Larry Johnson finally scoring a touchdown midway through the third quarter, Kansas City turned the ball over on downs, punted and threw two interceptions on its final four possessions. The Chiefs had 47 total yards and two first downs through the early third quarter before Pittsburgh switched to a more conservative defense, allowing Kansas City to somewhat salvage the game statistically.

Johnson was even less effective this week than he was against Arizona last week. He gained 16 first half yards, with a long of eight late in the second quarter, on nine carries in the first half. Johnson finished with 26 yards on 16 carries (1.7 ypc). It was his worst day as a starting RB. Johnson did score the Chiefs’ only touchdown with a three yard plunge in the third quarter.

Almost equally ineffective was QB Damon Huard. The Chiefs did not open up the playbook for Huard in the first half at all, as he settled for short passes underneath or in the flat. He had just 27 passing yards on six completions with a long of eight at the break. Huard attempted only one pass downfield in the first half. Once down by 31 in the second half, Kansas City opened it up some, but did not complete a pass longer than 25 yards. Huard finished 16 of 30, 162 yards and an interception.

WR Samie Parker was Huard’s best target, catching five for 72 yards. WR Eddie Kennison averaged 19 yards per catch with 57 yards on three catches. WR Jeff Webb, TE Tony Gonzalez and Johnson also had three receptions each.

The Kansas City defense, which had held its own over the last three weeks, was shredded for 463 yards (219 rushing yards). It gave up four touchdowns and five first half scores in the first half and from different areas all over the field, ranging from goal line scores, to mid-range passes, to the deep ball. The Chiefs registered just one sack and could recover just one of four Pittsburgh fumbles.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers erased most doubts about their offense, at least for one week, by pouring on 31 first half points. Pittsburgh scored four touchdowns and a field goal on six first half possessions and gained 378 of its 463 total yards in the first two quarters. All five scoring drives were at least 58 yards long and the Steelers converted eight of 13 third down situations.

QB Ben Roethlisberger shook off any and all rust from his first four games and threw his first two touchdown passes of the season. His first was a well disguised pump-fake/play action to WR Nate Washington down the left seam and Washington broke a tackle and ran it in for a 47 yard score. Roethlisberger’s second touchdown pass was to a wide open Hines Ward in the back of the end zone, also off play action. Ward led the Steelers with five receptions, 49 yards and his TD.

The Steelers were able to play action so effectively due to its overwhelming running attack. The team averaged 5.2 ypc. for the game led by Willie Parker’s 109 yards and Najeh Davenport’s 78. Parker scored twice, a three yard waltz and an eight yard scamper, both up the middle, the second of which put Pittsburgh up 28-0 in the second quarter.

Even though the Steelers shut the Chiefs down defensively in most areas, they did not collect a lot in the way of bonus categories until late in the game when it was well out of reach. Nevertheless, they had one sack and three second half interceptions, the last of which went for a 30-yard touchdown by reserve LB Rian Wallace. Pittsburgh’s defense also contained one of the best RBs in the NFL to just 26 rushing yards on 16 carries.

What you ought to know

QB Damon Huard, Pass: 16 - 32 - 162 - 0 TD / 1 INT

Huard’s numbers reflect his performance – bland. And had Pittsburgh not built such a large lead, one can wonder if Huard would have even marginally improved on his 6-of-11 for 27 yards first half performance. The play calling allowed for very little as well, as Huard completed mostly WR screens and inside hooks, all under ten yards during the first half. Only once in the second quarter did Huard attempt a pass longer than 15 yards. He also nearly threw an interception, but it was dropped. Huard’s range expanded for the second half, but not drastically, enough to make his numbers resemble that of a QB at least. He didn’t complete a pass longer than 25 yards. He did, however, hit TE Tony Gonzalez with a one yard TD in the fourth quarter, but it was called back on a holding penalty.

QB Brodie Croyle, Pass: 3 - 7 - 23 - 0 TD / 2 INT

The rookie got his first NFL action in a fourth quarter blowout and was welcomed by throwing two interceptions, one of which was returned for a 30 yard touchdown.

RB Larry Johnson, Rush: 15 - 26 - 1, Rec: 3 - 6 - 0 (2 targets)

Johnson was stymied all afternoon. It was his worst performance as a starting RB. He had just 16 first half yards and 26 total. His most exciting play of the day came when he tackled SS Troy Polamalu from behind by the safeties long hair after an interception. It sparked a little fisticuffs over by the Chiefs’ bench and Johnson was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play because he pulled Polamalu up by his hair after the tackle. Johnson did make fantasy owners a little relieved when he plowed through the line with second and third efforts to score the Chiefs’ only touchdown of the game in the third quarter. He had even worse luck as a receiver catching three balls for just six yards.

RB Derrick Ross, Rush: 3 - 8 - 0

Ross had three carries during mop up time, late in the fourth quarter.

RB Ronnie Cruz, Rush: 1 - 4 - 0 (2 targets)

Cruz had one carry in the first half for four yards.

WR Samie Parker, Rec: 5 - 72 - 0 (6 targets)

Parker made the best of the Chiefs’ vanilla offense and managed 72 yards on five receptions, most of which came in the second half. Parker had first half catch for eight yards, the longest reception of the first half. When K.C. expanded a bit in the third quarter is when Parker’s numbers took a shot in the arm. Parker caught passes of 17 and 15 on the Chiefs’ only touchdown drive. He also caught two passes for 33 yards in what nearly became another touchdown drive, but penalties inside the five yard line and a dropped pass in the end zone (not by Parker) killed the drive.

WR Eddie Kennison, Rec: 3 - 57 - 0 (8 targets)

Kennison maintained his image by catching few passes, but for good chunks of yards. He averaged 19 yards per catch in gaining 57 yards. While not very impressive, Kennison was the target of a few other downfield passes, including two in the end zone, but the passes were broken up or off target. He also drew a fourth quarter pass interference on a third pass to the goal line, but the Chiefs came up empty. Kennison’s long gains were for 25 and 24 yards. He also drew punt return duties while injured WR Dante Hall recovers from a hip injury he sustained last week. Kennison had 12 return yards on two punts.

WR Jeff Webb, Rec: 3 - 23 - 0 (4 targets)

Webb caught three passes with the second unit late in the fourth quarter.

WR Rod Gardner (5 targets)

Gardner saw lots of action in the second half, particularly inside the red zone where he was used on a couple of fade passes in the end zone. Of his five targets, four were in the end zone. He did not register a catch, but he did draw an interference penalty. He was also the target on two of the three Steelers’ interceptions.

TE Tony Gonzalez, Rec: 3 - 15 - 0 (7 targets)

Gonzalez has been asked to sacrifice some of his receiving skills to help the depleted offensive line much of the year, but even when he was asked to run patterns, he wasn’t much of a threat yesterday. Gonzalez’s three catches were all for short gains. He was the target of a deep pass over the middle, but it was broken up, and he did catch a touchdown pass, but a holding penalty nullified the score, leaving him with just 15 yards on the day.

TE Jason Dunn, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (3 targets)

Dunn was targeted twice on his way to, or in the end zone. The first was broken up in coverage, the second fell right out of his hands. His lone catch put the Chiefs on the three yard line, setting up Larry Johnson’s touchdown run.

TE Kris Wilson, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (2 targets)

Wilson caught one pass for six yards, which helped set up RB Larry Johnson’s three yard touchdown run two plays later. Wilson was also the target of LB Rian Wallace’s interception return for a touchdown.

PK Lawrence Tynes 0 - 0 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 1 points

Tynes was not given a field goal opportunity, but did hit his only extra point attempt.

KC Rush Defense

The Chiefs were picked apart on the ground to the tune of 219 rushing yards. They allowed longs of 48 and 18 yards to power back Najeh Davenport (78 yards), as well as a 25 yarder to Willie Parker (109 yards). But for the most part, it was four, five and six yards at a time, as the Chiefs were reduced to nothing, 28-0, thanks to 154 rushing yards allowed by halftime. Kawika Mitchell had ten tackles and a fumble recovery, which was stripped by rookie DE Tamba Hali. Hali had two forced fumbles and nine tackles.

KC Pass Defense

While concentrating so much on the run, the Chiefs’ secondary was left hung out to dry for 244 passing yards and two touchdowns. Their only sack came on a blitz from CB Ty Law. Lenny Walls had K.C.’s only realistic chance for an interception but could not hang on when he jumped in front of an out pass.

QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pass: 16 - 19 - 238 - 2 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 1 - 0 - 0

Despite murmurs of QB Ben Roethlisberger’s mental stability from his awful start, his so-called “tennis elbow” and growing speculation of lingering effects from his off season surgeries (appendectomy/motorcycle accident); he was near perfect with a 153.8 QB rating for the day. He completed 16 of 19 for 238 yards and tossed his first two touchdowns of the season. His first touchdown pass was on a fake screen, play action, where he had his choice of three receivers in single coverage. WR Nate Washington however was most open and they hooked up for a 48 yards score. Two scoring drives later, he found WR Hines Ward by himself in the back of the end zone for a 13 yard touchdown. With a large halftime lead, Roethlisberger threw just four second half passes, completing three.

QB Charlie Batch, Pass: 1 - 1 - 6 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 2 - -2 - 0

Batch relieved Roethlisberger midway through the fourth quarter and completed his only pass for six yards.

RB Willie Parker, Rush: 21 - 109 - 2, Rec: 1 - -11 - 0 (1 targets)

Unlike some games where Parker grinds his way for three and four yards a pop, only later to break one open for 40 yards, Parker sliced and diced his way to 5.2 yards a carry with just one big gain of 25 yards on a sweep up the left sidelines. He was very nimble on his toes and picked his way through the large holes his OL opened up for him, gaining five to ten yards quite frequently. His first touchdown to open the scoring in the first quarter, he plowed straightforward to the goal line and fell through his blockers. His second touchdown run was similar in that a large hole was provided, but this time he was eight yards out and had to skip over one tackler, spin out of another, and then carried a defender on his back for the final yard. Parker did lose a fumble in the third quarter, but the play did not result in any points for Kansas City.

RB Najeh Davenport, Rush: 12 - 78 - 1

After three touches last week, Davenport saw his most action 12 carries and 78 yards. He spelled Parker in the second quarter and on his first carry ripped through a hole off right tackle, and was raced across the field towards the right sideline for a 48 yard gain, setting up Hines Ward’s touchdown two plays later. Davenport had six carries on Pittsburgh’s final offensive scoring drive in the late third, early fourth quarter, including another big gain for 18 yards. Most notably, Davenport received all four goal line carries and finally scored his first touchdown this season on fourth and one, falling backwards with the ball stretched out over his head. The play was ruled down at the one, but a Pittsburgh challenged reversed the call for a touchdown. Davenport also lined up as a kick returner, but did not receive a kick off.

RB Verron Haynes, Rush: 5 - 21 - 0, Rec: 2 - 12 - 0 (2 targets)

Haynes saw action mostly on third downs and helped Najeh Davenport grind down the clock in the fourth quarter.

RB Dan Kreider (1 targets)

Kreider left the game in the third quarter when he suffered a sprained ankle on a Steelers kick return. He was taken off the field on a cart. Kreider rarely gets any carries, but is almost always the lead blocker on all conventional and short yardage running plays. He hasn’t missed a game since the third week of the 2001 season.

WR Hines Ward, Rec: 5 - 59 - 1 (5 targets)

Ward has slowly but surely been working his way back to his familiar role as go to guy. Once again, he wasn’t flashy, but he led the team with five receptions and got back into the end zone for the first time since opening night. His first catch was good for 28 yards when he camped out in between six Chiefs’ defenders on a post pattern, then caught a WR screen three plays later to help set up Willie Parker’s second touchdown. On Pittsburgh’s next drive, Ward snuck across the back line of the end zone and put the Steelers up 28-0 in the second quarter. Three of his four non-scoring receptions went for first downs.

WR Cedrick Wilson, Rec: 3 - 42 - 0 (3 targets)

Wilson had the catch of the day in the first quarter on when Roethlisberger threw a rollout pass behind Wilson. Wilson slid to slow his momentum and reached behind his head to pull in the pass for 19 yards and a first down on a third down. Wilson also got the two minute drill rolling with a 14 yard catch over the middle late in the second quarter.

WR Santonio Holmes, Rush: 1 - 13 - 0, Rec: 2 - 58 - 0 (3 targets)

Holmes had his most productive day to date showing signs of his playmaking ability. On Pittsburgh’s first drive, Holmes caught a routine out pass. He turned sharply up field, making CB Ty Law slip and Holmes raced up the right sideline for a 50 yard gain, helping to set up Willie Parker’s first touchdown. Holmes also had a couple of good kick and punt returns, a weakness in the Steelers’ attack so far this season. He had 55 punt return yards and 54 kick return yards giving him 180 all purpose yards, including his 13 yard end around rush late in the second quarter. Holmes did, however, muff one punt return and fumble another – Both were recovered by Pittsburgh.

WR Nate Washington, Rec: 3 - 68 - 1 (4 targets)

Washington’s first reception was his best when his cornerback bit on a play action, and Roethlisberger found him wide open down the left seam. Washington then bounced off of backside safety Jarrad Page’s shoulder tackle, and waltzed into the end zone for a 48 yard touchdown. Washington also hauled in passes of 14 yards a seven yard WR screen for a first down that set up Jeff Reed’s 32 yard field goal to end the first half. He was the target of another deep ball in single coverage, but he mistimed his jump for the rainbow toss and it fell incomplete.

TE Heath Miller, Rec: 1 - 16 - 0 (1 targets)

Miller was the last resort on a Roethlisberger rollout, but he turned his lone catch into a 16 yard gain. He also lined up at HB in the second half when FB Dan Kreider left the game with a sprained ankle.

PK Jeff Reed 1 - 2 FG, 6 - 6 XP, 9 points

Reed hit a 32 yard field goal, but shanked a 28 yarder wide right in the third quarter. He hit all six of his extra point attempts.

PIT Rush Defense

Pittsburgh’s run defense was unforgiving at best. Outside of Larry Johnson’s three yard touchdown run, they did not give up any damaging plays on the ground. The Chiefs had 38 yards on 19 carries and held the fantasy phenomenon to just 26 rushing yards.

PIT Pass Defense

The Steelers softened up late in the third quarter and allowed the Chiefs to whittle their way downfield for 185 passing yards, 158 of which came in the second half with the game well in hand. Former and current Steelers OLB Chad Brown, who signed just this week to fill injury holes, registered Pittsburgh’s only sack. SS Troy Polamalu dominated the secondary with ten tackles, three passes defended and an interception. Second year LB Rian Wallace returned a late fourth quarter interception for a touchdown and the Steelers had 13 passes defended.