Steelers’ turnovers help Chiefs snap losing skid
Chiefs defensive back Ron Parker breaks up a second-half pass intended for Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, which was then intercepted by Kansas City defensive back Eric Berry on the deflection Sunday.
Chiefs wide receiver Albert Wilson is tackled from behind by Steelers cornerback Antwon Blake as linebacker Lawrence Timmons joins in Sunday during the second half.
Steelers quarterback Landry Jones (3) throws during the first half Sunday against the Chiefs in Kansas City.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Playing without starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger finally caught up to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The offense, which had turned the ball over just three times all season – and once in three games without Roethlisberger – matched that former total Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
And the defense, which did a good job for 3½ games of stopping opponents in the red zone, faltered in the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The result was a 23-13 loss to the Chiefs that dropped Pittsburgh to 4-3 for the season, including 2-2 without Roethlisberger, whom head coach Mike Tomlin expects to return next Sunday when the Steelers host Cincinnati.
”They made more dynamic plays than we did, particularly over the course of the last 30 minutes,” said Tomlin. “They converted necessary third downs on offense and they made dynamic, game-changing plays on defense. They got turnovers.”
None turned out to be bigger for the Chiefs (2-5), who snapped a five-game losing streak, than a fluky play early in the third quarter.
With Kansas City leading 9-3, Steelers third-string quarterback Landry Jones, who was making his first career start after injuries to both Roethlisberger and Mike Vick, threw a pass to Antonio Brown over the middle. It was tipped at the line of scrimmage by linebacker Justin Houston, slightly changing its trajectory. The usually sure-handed Brown bobbled the football and then it flipped into the air as he was being pulled to the ground by defensive back Ron Parker. Safety Eric Berry made a diving interception, returning the ball to midfield.
”The guy made a great play getting his hands out and tipping the ball,” said Brown, who caught six passes for 124 yards. “That made the ball bounce up on me while I was making the catch and the guy made a great play.
”The trajectory of the ball changed, but I’ve got to make play in that situation.”
It turned out to be a crucial play as the Chiefs, who had failed to take advantage of an interception of Jones late in the first half, scored the game’s first touchdown on a 1-yard run by Charcandarick West to take a 16-3 lead.
Kansas City had been 0-for-3 scoring touchdowns inside the Steelers’ 20-yard line prior to that possession, settling for three Cairo Santos field goals.
”Turnovers change ballgames, there’s no doubt about that,” said Steelers linebacker Jarvis Jones. “You look back at the game, and we’ve got to (limit) the splash plays and get off the field on third down. We didn’t do that. If we had done that, I feel like it would have been a different ballgame.”
The Steelers quickly answered with a score of their own, getting a 19-yard TD pass from Jones to Martavis Bryant to cut the Kansas City lead to 16-10. The score was set up by a 41-yard completion from Jones to Brown.
After forcing a Kansas City punt, the Steelers drove to the Chiefs’ 10, but Jones was sacked on third down by Tamba Hali, who came up the middle on a stunt. Pittsburgh settled for a 36-yard Chris Boswell field goal that made it 16-13 with just over 10 minutes remaining.
On third-and-4 on Kansas City’s next possession, quarterback Alex Smith found tight end Travis Kelce down the middle of the field for a 26-yard gain on third down.
”We’ve got to get off the field in those situations,” said Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward.
They didn’t, and the Chiefs made them pay. Smith threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Chris Conley to make it 23-13.
”I think we just made plays down the stretch. That was the bottom line. Staying aggressive in all three facets of the game,” Smith said.
With just more than five minutes remaining, Pittsburgh had a chance to make it a one-score game again, but Hali beat left tackle Alejandro Villanueva, who was making his first career start in place of injured Kelvin Beachum, on a pass rush for a sack, stripping Jones of the ball. Kansas City recovered and ran out the clock.
”When you give up a sack and put them in a drive to win the game, it’s a terrible feeling,” said Villanueva.
Jones, who completed 16 of 29 passes for 209 yards, also took blame for the play.
”I don’t think that’s on him,” Jones said of Villanueva. “I need to make quicker decisions to get the ball out and not hold it back there. I knew they had a good rush and they were coming off the wing, especially at the end.”
Regardless of who was to blame for the final turnover, it was costly one, but no less costly than the offense failing to convert a single third down in the fourth quarter. Pittsburgh was just 2-for-10 on third downs in the game compared to 9-for-16 by Kansas City.
”Too many times we missed tackles; too many times we were late on blitzes,” said Heyward, who had one of the Steelers’ two sacks. “It’s hard to win in this league as it is. When you don’t do the things you’re supposed to do, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage.”
Running back Le’Veon Bell had 121 rushing yards on 17 carries. … West had his first career 100-yard game for Kansas City, gaining 110 yards on 22 carries. … Inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons led the Steelers with 10 tackles. … Bryant’s touchdown catch was his 11th in 12 career games. … Tight end Heath Miller failed to catch a pass, snapping a 110-game streak in which he had at least one catch. … Cornerback William Gay suffered a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter.