The Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) by a score of 43-14 on Sunday night.
Here are nine observations from the game:
- It's only one game
That might be the most important observation from Sunday night—that it's only one of 16 games on the schedule and that despite an undesirable result, the fact is the Chiefs head into the bye week with a 2-2 record.
Head coach Andy Reid took responsibility for the loss after the game, and players spoke about accountability and needing to look in the mirror after this one.
If the Chiefs can respond like we've seen them do over the past few years when they've been challenged or their backs have been against the wall, then maybe there's a positive that can come from this loss.
- Two turnovers lead to two early Steelers touchdowns
The Steelers took an early lead in the game due to a couple of turnovers by the Chiefs offense.
First, it was running back Spencer Ware who had the ball knocked out and the Steelers were able to recover. Just a few plays later, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger found Darrius Heyward-Bey 31 yards down the field for the touchdown.
The Steelers elected to go for two after the touchdown and were able to convert on a pass to Markus Wheaton. That gave them an early 8-0 lead.
On the ensuing Chiefs offensive possession, defensive lineman Cam Heyward tipped Alex Smith's pass at the line of scrimmage, and linebacker Jarvis Jones made the interception and returned it 20 yards to the Chiefs 4-yard line.
Roethlisberger found Antonio Brown across the middle on the next play and just like that, the Steelers were leading 15-0.
- Roethlisberger has big night for the Steelers
Last week in their 34-3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Roethlisberger completed 24 of 44 for 257 yards and an interception. It was one of only six games he's played since 2012 that he hadn't thrown a touchdown pass.
Coming off their worst loss in 27 years, the Steelers were ready to play on Sunday night, and it started with their quarterback.
Roethlisberger completed 22 of 27 for 300 yards and five touchdowns.
On the ground, the Steelers were led by the return of running back Le'Veon Bell, who finished with 18 carries for 144 yards.
- Jamaal Charles sees his first action of the season, passes Priest Holmes on franchise list
For the first time in 357 days, running back Jamaal Charles was active for the Chiefs.
Charles entered the game on the third offensive play for the Chiefs and an incomplete pass was thrown in his direction.
On their third offensive drive, Charles touched the ball for the first time, as he ran the ball for 6 yards on second-and-8. He finished the game with two carries for 7 yards.
With two carries on the day, Charles passed Priest Holmes (1,321) for the second most rushing attempts in Chiefs history with 1,322. He now trails only RB Larry Johnson, who has 1,375.
- Tyreek Hill gets the Chiefs on the board in the fourth quarter
After catching a 6-yard pass to get the Chiefs to the 10-yard line early in the fourth quarter, Hill caught a pass about a yard from the goal line on first down. After spinning one way and securing the bobbled ball, he fought his way for the touchdown by spinning the other way and diving for the end zone, getting the Chiefs on the board for the first time in the game.
It was the second touchdown reception for Hill this season.
At that point, the Chiefs trailed 36-7.
Hill's five catches are the most for him this season after having one, two and three receptions, respectively, in the first three games of the year.
- Chiefs trailed 29-0 at halftime
The stats in the first half kind of tell you the story:
First Half Team Stats | ||
Chiefs |
Steelers | |
1st downs |
9 |
11 |
3rd down efficiency |
4-8 |
3-5 |
Total Plays |
33 |
29 |
Total Yards |
148 |
238 |
Total Drives |
7 |
7 |
Yards per play |
4.5 |
8.2 |
Passing |
125 |
197 |
Comp-Att |
13-21 |
14-17 |
Yards per pass |
5.4 |
10.4 |
INTs |
1 |
0 |
Rushing attempts |
10 |
10 |
Yards per rush |
2.3 |
4.1 |
Red zone |
0-0 |
2-2 |
Penalties |
4-25 |
6-53 |
Turnovers |
2 |
0 |
- Chris Conley puts together a good game
On a night in which a lot of things didn't go right for the Chiefs, second-year receiver Chris Conley had a nice performance, which makes it the second time in his career he's played well against the Steelers.
Last year while filling in for an injured Jeremy Maclin, Conley caught six passes for 63 yards and a touchdown.
On Sunday, Conley had a career-high night with six catches for 70 yards.
- Starting cornerback Phillip Gaines misses the game
Here were the inactive players for both teams for Sunday:
- Cairo Santos misses first field goal of the year
Coming into Sunday's game, Cairo Santos had been a perfect 7-for-7 on field goal attempts this season, but a 49-yard attempt at the end of the first half bounced off the right goal post and ricocheted the wrong direction, which kept the score at 29-0 going into halftime.
Photos from the Chiefs Week 4 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers