The Kansas City Chiefs dominated their AFC playoff rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, with a convincing 29-10 win on Christmas Day. The victory not only secured the Chiefs’ spot as the top seed in the AFC playoffs but also showcased the team’s resilience and adaptability.
Here are five key takeaways from the game:
1. The Chiefs are more than just their past success – Despite being heavily favored, Kansas City started fast and never looked back, showcasing its battle-tested nature.
2. Without Chris Jones, the run defense is a concern – The Steelers’ running backs had a field day against the Chiefs’ depleted defensive line, highlighting the need for Kansas City to prioritize stopping the run in the playoffs.
3. Harrison Butker’s struggles continue – The Chiefs’ kicker missed two extra points attempts, putting pressure on special teams coordinator Dave Toub to get his placekicker back on track before the postseason.
4. Jaden Hicks is emerging as a key contributor – The rookie safety made a crucial play on defense and has been steadily improving in recent weeks, making him an attractive option for the Chiefs moving forward.
5. The deep ball is alive and well with Kansas City – The West Coast offense’s emphasis on quick passing forces defenses into single-high looks, creating opportunities for the deep ball to be effective, particularly with the emergence of Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown.
The Chiefs’ victory was a statement win, proving that they are more than just their past success. With the playoffs approaching, this performance should give Kansas City fans confidence in its ability to make a deep run.
Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2024/12/26/24329542/chiefs-steelers-5-things-we-learned-in-week-17-win