Close But No Cigar: Chiefs Lose to Steelers

 PITT - 13            KC - 9

In the Chiefs last primetime game of the season, and possibly for quite a while, Kansas City refused to go out with a whimper like they had against the New England Patriots. The Chiefs gave the Steelers all they could handle, and nearly pulled out the victory at the end of the game. The mistakes on offense, however, were too many to overcome, and the Chiefs fell just short, bringing their season to an ugly 4-7 record.

With both the Raiders and Broncos winning on Sunday, the Chiefs are three games back of first and are, for practical matters, eliminated from the playoffs. The season of unexpected injuries, a surprising resurgence, and an equally disappointing falter is pretty much over. The team, the players and the coaches did their best with the talent at their disposal. The challenge was to great, however, and we will remember 2011 as what could have been. There was positives to take away from Sunday night's performance, but it's too late in the season to hope, and I have resigned to a high-draft-pick mentality.

What the Chiefs Did Right

• The Chiefs defense looked absolutely outstanding. Tyler Palko turnovers resulted in the Steelers having the football on the Chiefs side of the field three times, and the defense only surrendered one touchdown and 13 total points. They also kept the Steelers from scoring at all in the second half.  And it's not like the Steelers are inept on offense. They are number 10 in total offense in the NFL and 8th in passing. The Chiefs defense just played an outstanding game, and kept the team in the game until the final seconds. 
• Part of the reason the Chiefs held the Steelers offense in check was because of the turnovers generated. Travis Daniels intercepted Roethlisberger once, and Tamba Hali forced a Mewelde Moore fumble as he was going into the endzone. The fumble was recoverd by Javier Arenas for a touchback. 
• The Chiefs offense played aggressively, which is the right thing to do when facing a team like the Steelers. They took shots down field, ran some wildcat formations, and even successfully converted a fake punt. Some will say that they should have tried for the touchdown earlier in the fourth quarter when they were down by seven; they instead elected to kick the field goal. I think this was the right decision because two scores were needed to win it, and a field goal and a defensive stop could allow the offense to win the game with a touchdown. The scenario worked out, the Chiefs got the ball back down four, but they just couldn't avoid the turnover bug. 
• Ryan Succop has quietly put together perhaps his best season in the NFL, having not missed a field goal attempt since week 3. He made three last night.

What the Chiefs Could Have Done Better

• As much as the defense kept the Chiefs in the game, the offense did an equal amount keeping them out of it. Four total turnovers would sink any team, especially the Chiefs whose offense has had trouble finding the endzone over the last month. 
• Tyler Palko almost guaranteed that we won't see him starting for the Chiefs again any time soon. He was responsible for all four turnovers, and probably should have thrown a couple more interceptions if the Steelers could hang on to the football. If Palko wanted to keep the starting job over a recently awarded Kyle Orton, Sunday's performance would do the trick if he played well. An 18/28, 167 yards, 3 INTs and 1 FUM day wasn't what he was hoping. 
• A lot was said and has been said about the play of Dwayne Bowe during the game. He dropped one pass along the sidelines that would have extended a much needed drive, and then he didn't put his hands up to attempt to catch Palko's last pass, which ended up being intercepted. Bowe had risen his head to indicate he wanted the ball on that play, which raised skepticism, especially from Sunday Night Football host Chris Collinsworth. How I view it is, that pass is on Palko, and Collinsworth overreacted. The pass was uncatchable, in my opinion, and thrown into four to five Steelers defenders. Even if Bowe is asking for the ball, it's up to Palko to make the right decision of who to throw it to. And if he thought that hand raising meant he was going deep, then Palko still underthrew it. With so few weapons left on the Chiefs offense, I don't see the point in condemning our only remaing Pro Bowler on the roster.