Steelers bounce back in a big way, rout the Chiefs
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell (26) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback D.J. White during the second half Sunday. Bell made his 2016 debut in the game.
Pittsburgh outside linebacker Jarvis Jones runs with an intercepted pass past Kansas City Chiefs center Mitch Morse in the first half.
Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jaye Howard (96) and inside linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) during the first half Sunday.
Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2016 inductee and former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Kevin Greene acknowledges the crowd as he is joined by teammate Greg Lloyd, rear left, during a halftime ceremony to present him with his Hall of Fame ring during a football game between the Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday.
PITTSBURGH – The Steelers thought they were close to winning a Super Bowl last season, taking the eventual Super Bowl-champion Denver Broncos deep into the fourth quarter before a fumble finally helped decide the outcome.
As if to drive that point home, Pittsburgh is taking out its frustrations on 2015 playoff teams.
The Steelers jumped on the Kansas City Chiefs for 22 points in the first quarter and Ben Roethlisberger threw five touchdown passes as the Steelers rolled to a 43-14 victory Sunday night at Heinz Field.
With wins over Washington, Cincinnati and Kansas City, the Steelers (3-1) improved to 3-0 against 2015 playoff teams. Of course, they also wanted to rid themselves of the stink of a 34-3 loss last weekend against their only non-playoff opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles.
They did that in a big way.
Roethlisberger had as many incompletions as he did touchdown passes as he completed 22 of 27 passes for 300 yards, while Le’Veon Bell rambled for 144 yards on 18 carries in his return to the lineup after sitting out the first three games while suspended for violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.
“I definitely missed it, all of my teammates,” said Bell, who also had five catches for 34 yards. “It felt real good. I was glad to be out there.”
The Steelers were glad to have him back.
The celebrated it by not only having a big offensive effort, but one on defense, as well.
Cam Heyward had three of the team’s four sacks, not bad for a team that had just one in its first three games.
“I thought everybody got pressure. I might have got three, but it wasn’t just me,” said Heyward. “(Stephon) Tuitt had some really nice pressures. I just cleaned up the trash. I thought we stopped the run a lot early and got some turnovers. When we get the turnovers and give our offense some short fields, it puts the defense in a good spot because we know what they have to do.”
If was the defense that set the table for the early offensive success.
Tuitt forced a fumble on Kansas City’s second possession that was recovered by corner Ross Cockrell at the Kansas City 32. Three plays later, Roethlisberger threw a 31-yard TD pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey. The Steelers converted a two-point attempt for the first time this season to grab an 8-0 lead.
On the next possession for the Chiefs (2-2), Heyward tipped an Alex Smith pass at the line of scrimmage that was intercepted by linebacker Jarvis Jones and returned 20 yards to the Kansas City 4. On the next play, Roethlisberger threw a 4-yard TD pass to Antonio Brown.
Kansas City managed just one first down on its ensuing possession after return man Tyreek Hill was tackled at the 2 on the kick return by Heyward-Bey and Dustin Colquitt’s punt traveled just 23 yards to the Kansas City 40. Two plays later, Roethlisberger again found Brown, this time from 38 yards out for a 22-0 lead.
It was a great way to shake off the loss to the Eagles.
“I told the guys before the game, we are driving a car and we don’t have a rearview mirror,” said Roethlisberger, whose five TD game was the fifth of his career. “We aren’t looking back. We are looking forward and I think we did that. Last week was one of those days. We all have them. We move on and I thought we did a good job of moving on.”
The Chiefs had one of those days, not scoring until the fourth quarter after the Steelers had taken a 36-0 lead on a Roethlisberger TD pass to Markus Wheaton.
Hill scored on a 10-yard pass from Smith, but the Steelers answered back with Bell breaking off a 44-yard run to set up a 2-yard TD run by DeAngelo Williams.
“You learn a lot about yourself when you get your butt kicked,” said Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson. “We got our butts kicked. The best thing about it is that it counts as one game. It does not put a damper on our season.”
The Steelers know how the Chiefs felt. And they took the frustration of their loss against the Eagles out on Kansas City.
“It’s going to be tougher this week,” said Heyward. “We don’t want to rest on our laurels. When it comes down to it, it’s easier to respond from a loss than a win. We got (beat) up last week. We all had to look in the mirror. That’s easy to do, hunker down. Now, it’s time to stay focused and move on.”
The Steelers honored Hall of Fame linebacker Kevin Greene at halftime. Greene, who played for the Steelers from 1993-1995, was presented with a ring for being voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year. … The Steelers had several injuries in the game. Right tackle Marcus Gilbert (ankle), linebackers Jarvis Jones (ankle) and Anthony Chickillo (knee) and Heyward-Bey (shoulder) left and did not return. … Sammie Coates led the Steelers with six receptions for 79 yards. … Vince Williams, starting in place of injured Ryan Shazier, led the Steelers with 15 tackles and a sack. … The Steelers outgained the Chiefs 436-357.