KICKOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
SURFACE: Grass
TV: CBS (Ian Eagle, Rich Gannon)
KEYS TO THE GAME: The only way for the Chiefs to slow down Pittsburgh's offense is to generate pressure on QB Ben Roethlisberger similar to what Cincinnati accomplished last Sunday. Problem is, the Chiefs have just 12 sacks on the season. They don't defend the run or pass particularly well, so Roethlisberger and RB Rashard Mendenhall should combine to keep the defense off balance. RB Jamaal Charles showed flashes of potential last Sunday and will be instrumental in helping Kansas City control the tempo. The Chiefs lack the passing game to get locked in a shootout - especially minus suspended WR Dwayne Bowe - so Charles must be the lynchpin. Need to know: Roethlisberger has been sacked 27 times and is on pace to exceed 45 for the fourth consecutive season. ... WR Chris Chambers has six catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns in two games with the Chiefs.
Personnel News
Steelers:
Chiefs:
Inside The Camps
Steelers:
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had his worst game in over a year when the Steelers lost last Sunday at home to the Cincinnati Bengals. His coaches are hoping for a Big Ben bounce-back in Kansas City.
"In the past you didn't want to play him; he's been outstanding at bouncing back," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said. "He takes it personal, like all of us. He can't wait to come back and play the next one."
Roethlisberger threw one interception and no touchdowns and completed just 20-of-40 for 174 yards in an 18-12 loss to the Bengals. His 51.5 passer rating was his lowest in a full game since a 38.5 rating Oct. 26, 2008, in a 21-14 loss to the New York Giants.
"I hope I don't have too many bad games," Roethlisberger said. "You hope you get one, get it done and get it out of the way and kind of put things in perspective and look forward.
"Actually, at the beginning of the game I didn't feel great, my arm didn't feel good whatever, but the first drive we connected and went down the field, I had a scramble, hit a couple of completions and I kind of thought — good — I shook that funk off, but it never quite came around."
Roethlisberger said he did not have a sore or stiff arm and maintains there is nothing wrong with his throwing arm. However, several of his deep passes to rookie Mike Wallace were underthrown.
"No, that's Mike Wallace being real fast and (me) just not being able to step into it or whatever," Roethlisberger said. "That's just another thing, the ball wasn't coming off my hand great."
Chiefs:
It's what happens when a football team is rebuilding; injuries pop up and the shallow level of experienced depth becomes obvious.
When the Chiefs host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday the chances are very good they will be without linebacker Mike Vrabel. A left knee injury suffered last Sunday in Oakland sent Vrabel to the sidelines in the second half and he did not return.
Vrabel is 34 years old, in his 13th season of play in the NFL out of Big 10 power Ohio State.
His replacement is Andy Studebaker. He is 24 years old, in his second NFL season out of Division III Wheaton College in Illinois.
If Vrabel misses his first game in six seasons, the Chiefs defense will have to find a way to make up not only for his production, but his leadership. The veteran has been working with Studebaker, helping him get ready for the Steelers.
"He's helping me out; I've gone to him many times this week," Studebaker said. "He's a great player, and he's a leader too. I know he's watching and ready to provide help."
When Vrabel was injured in Oakland, Studebaker played most of the second half, his first extensive defensive action in the NFL.
"I made some tackles and I think within the defense, I played pretty well," Studebaker said. "But you can't overlook some of the negatives from the game, because you have to come back and work on those."
At Wheaton, Studebaker was a defensive end. He was selected by the Eagles in the sixth round of the '08 NFL Draft as an outside linebacker. That's where he played in the preseason. Studebaker was signed by the Chiefs off the Philadelphia practice squad, where he was moved back to defensive end. With the coaching change and defensive scheme change to a 3-4, Studebaker was moved back to outside linebacker.
"I think the transition has gone well," said Studebaker. "I feel comfortable. I'm not overwhelmed right now. It's fun coming from a small school and getting this opportunity." PREDICTION: Steelers 34-17
SURFACE: Grass
TV: CBS (Ian Eagle, Rich Gannon)
KEYS TO THE GAME: The only way for the Chiefs to slow down Pittsburgh's offense is to generate pressure on QB Ben Roethlisberger similar to what Cincinnati accomplished last Sunday. Problem is, the Chiefs have just 12 sacks on the season. They don't defend the run or pass particularly well, so Roethlisberger and RB Rashard Mendenhall should combine to keep the defense off balance. RB Jamaal Charles showed flashes of potential last Sunday and will be instrumental in helping Kansas City control the tempo. The Chiefs lack the passing game to get locked in a shootout - especially minus suspended WR Dwayne Bowe - so Charles must be the lynchpin. Need to know: Roethlisberger has been sacked 27 times and is on pace to exceed 45 for the fourth consecutive season. ... WR Chris Chambers has six catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns in two games with the Chiefs.
Personnel News
Steelers:
- <LI itxtvisited="1">SS Troy Polamalu did not practice again on Thursday and will not play vs. Kansas City on Sunday. He has a sprained left PCL. <LI itxtvisited="1">DE Travis Kirschke did not practice one day after going through a limited practice and is unlikely to play Sunday. Kirschke has missed the past two games with a torn calf muscle. <LI itxtvisited="1">RB Willie Parker will get every third series on Sunday if things go according to plan, said Bruce Arians. The Steelers' offensive coordinator admitted that was the plan the past two games, when things did not work out for keeping the planned rotation for one reason or another. <LI itxtvisited="1">TE Heath Miller will be used more on passing plays vs. the Chiefs this Sunday. Arians said Miller was kept in to block more often vs. the Bengals and that is why he had only 26 yards receiving, on four catches.
- WR Limas Sweed will dress for his third straight game and has worked his way back into the coaches' favor after three straight weeks of strong practices, Arians noted.
Chiefs:
- <LI itxtvisited="1">OLB Mike Vrabel missed his second practice of the week on Thursday and it's growing more unlikely that the veteran will play on Sunday against Pittsburgh. Vrabel suffered a left knee injury in last Sunday's game against Oakland. The fact he did not return to that game was evidence enough of how serious the injury might be. If he can't play, it will be the first time Vrabel has missed a game in six seasons. <LI itxtvisited="1">RG Andy Alleman is very questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers as he missed a second practice on Thursday. Alleman's problem is a knee injury and while it's not considered serious, it's likely to keep him out Sunday. <LI itxtvisited="1">RB Dantrell Savage missed a second day of practice this week because of a sprained ankle, and that diminished his chances of playing against Pittsburgh on Sunday. Savage suffered the injury last Sunday in Oakland and has largely pedaled the stationary bike since then. He had been returning punts and getting some opportunities in the third down defense. <LI itxtvisited="1">ILB David Herron was back practicing with the Chiefs on Thursday, improving his chances of being on the field this Sunday against Pittsburgh. Herron missed last Sunday's game in Oakland because of a knee injury. His contributions in the kicking game will be welcomed when he's prepared to play. <LI itxtvisited="1">OL Wade Smith has been working at right guard this week and is the likely replacement for injured Andy Alleman. Smith has been very busy in the last month, filling in at various times at center, guard and tackle.
- OLB Andy Studebaker, the pride of Division III Wheaton College, will likely get the starting spot of the injured Mike Vrabel in Sunday's game against Pittsburgh. Studebaker was selected by the Eagles in the sixth-round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He spent time that year on the Philly practice squad before he signed with the Chiefs in November '08. He's 6-foot-3 and 248 pounds and is 24 years old.
Inside The Camps
Steelers:
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had his worst game in over a year when the Steelers lost last Sunday at home to the Cincinnati Bengals. His coaches are hoping for a Big Ben bounce-back in Kansas City.
"In the past you didn't want to play him; he's been outstanding at bouncing back," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said. "He takes it personal, like all of us. He can't wait to come back and play the next one."
Roethlisberger threw one interception and no touchdowns and completed just 20-of-40 for 174 yards in an 18-12 loss to the Bengals. His 51.5 passer rating was his lowest in a full game since a 38.5 rating Oct. 26, 2008, in a 21-14 loss to the New York Giants.
"I hope I don't have too many bad games," Roethlisberger said. "You hope you get one, get it done and get it out of the way and kind of put things in perspective and look forward.
"Actually, at the beginning of the game I didn't feel great, my arm didn't feel good whatever, but the first drive we connected and went down the field, I had a scramble, hit a couple of completions and I kind of thought — good — I shook that funk off, but it never quite came around."
Roethlisberger said he did not have a sore or stiff arm and maintains there is nothing wrong with his throwing arm. However, several of his deep passes to rookie Mike Wallace were underthrown.
"No, that's Mike Wallace being real fast and (me) just not being able to step into it or whatever," Roethlisberger said. "That's just another thing, the ball wasn't coming off my hand great."
Chiefs:
It's what happens when a football team is rebuilding; injuries pop up and the shallow level of experienced depth becomes obvious.
When the Chiefs host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday the chances are very good they will be without linebacker Mike Vrabel. A left knee injury suffered last Sunday in Oakland sent Vrabel to the sidelines in the second half and he did not return.
Vrabel is 34 years old, in his 13th season of play in the NFL out of Big 10 power Ohio State.
His replacement is Andy Studebaker. He is 24 years old, in his second NFL season out of Division III Wheaton College in Illinois.
If Vrabel misses his first game in six seasons, the Chiefs defense will have to find a way to make up not only for his production, but his leadership. The veteran has been working with Studebaker, helping him get ready for the Steelers.
"He's helping me out; I've gone to him many times this week," Studebaker said. "He's a great player, and he's a leader too. I know he's watching and ready to provide help."
When Vrabel was injured in Oakland, Studebaker played most of the second half, his first extensive defensive action in the NFL.
"I made some tackles and I think within the defense, I played pretty well," Studebaker said. "But you can't overlook some of the negatives from the game, because you have to come back and work on those."
At Wheaton, Studebaker was a defensive end. He was selected by the Eagles in the sixth round of the '08 NFL Draft as an outside linebacker. That's where he played in the preseason. Studebaker was signed by the Chiefs off the Philadelphia practice squad, where he was moved back to defensive end. With the coaching change and defensive scheme change to a 3-4, Studebaker was moved back to outside linebacker.
"I think the transition has gone well," said Studebaker. "I feel comfortable. I'm not overwhelmed right now. It's fun coming from a small school and getting this opportunity." PREDICTION: Steelers 34-17
