NFL Breakdown - Steelers Offense vs Chiefs Defense

Big Ben and the Boys Need
to Stay Balanced on MNF

After getting to enjoy the Steelers victory over the New York Giants this past Sunday, its finally time to start looking ahead to the Monday Night Matchup between the Steelers and Chiefs at Heinz Field.  The Steelers haven't hosted a Monday Night game since 2008, and the last time a Steelers coach lost a home MNF matchup was when Coach Noll was towards the end of his tenure in the Steel City.  Lets go over the top 5 story lines for the Steelers offense getting ready to face the Chiefs defense.

- Stay Balanced - The Steelers have done a fantastic job of this during their 3 game winning streak.  It isn't just that they have had a 100 yard rusher in the past 3 games since Najeh "Dookie" Davenport and Willie Parker did it in 2007, its because the run has opened up alot for the passing game.  Big Ben hasn't been sacked as much as in the past, and the running game has alot to do with that.  While having to constantly guard against the run, it isn't as easy to pin your ears back and rush the QB.  Running well (5.1 yds/carry in the 3 game winning streak) on 1st and 2nd downs gives you options on 3rd down that doesn't allow a defense to send exotic blitzes at Big Ben.  Staying balanced against a Chiefs defense that is 22nd in the NFL when it comes to rushing yds / game (126) is going to be a must if the Steelers want to keep the MNF streak in Pittsburgh alive.

- Score TDs not FGs - One thing that bothered me after the Giants victory was how the Steelers squandered so many great opportunities on offense.  No, I'm not talking about Mike Wallace's one drop per game.  I am talking about those phenomenal punt / kickoff returns that were left for naught.  The Steelers need to learn how to turn good field position, and good drives into Touchdowns and not just settle for Field Goals.  Great teams know how to punch the ball in (without gimmicks...ahem...Tomlin) the endzone and put other teams away.  This has to be one of those games for the Steelers going against a very mediocre Chiefs defense.

- Get Back Into the Groove on 3rd Down - The Steelers have been "money in the bank" in 3rd down this season, but that number dropped a tad vs the Giants.  Credit a great defense for that, but the Steelers need to get back to their typical 3rd down dominance.  Keep Mr. Butler (the Steelers' Punter) on the sideline and that means that the Steelers are keeping drives alive.  Keeping drives alive give the Pittsburgh defense a chance to rest, rejuvinate, and hopefully watch the Steelers put more points on the board.

- Keep Big Ben Clean - The Chiefs defense isn't particularly known for anything.  They just cut one of their better cornerbacks, and Tamba Hali is their best defensive player who leads the team with 5 sacks.  The Chiefs (just like every team that plays the Steelers) will try to get to the big man and take him down, but its up to the OLine to stay hot and keep Big Ben clean and upright.  If they can protect #7, then the Steelers should be well on their way to a victory as Mr. Roethlisberger should shred the Chiefs secondary regardless of whether Antonio Brown plays or not. 

- NO TURNOVERS - The Steelers have gotten a little loose with this the past few games.  I know the Giants game was weird because of the strange "fumble / tuck rule" call by the officials, but Ben has started to turn the ball over more than SteelerNation would like.  You want to see the Chiefs stay in the game?  Turn the ball over and give them a short field and thats how you will see it happening.  If the Steelers can not turn the ball over and stay balanced I don't think there is any way we are talking about anything but the 4th win being "stacked" on Tuesday morning.