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Kendall Simmons is going to miss the game against the Chiefs tomorrow because of frostbite. He was getting treatment for an injured foot and left the ice on too long, and because of that he isn’t playing. Chris Kemoeatu, a 344-pound run blocker will fill in.
Linebacker Joey Porter is out for Sunday’s game with the Chiefs due to an injured hamstring. With James Harrison already out with an injury, the Steelers have signed old friend Chad Brown to a contract.
The Chiefs have been real conservative on offense. The Chiefs will look to run the ball with Larry Johnson (331 yards rushing), but the Steelers have a pretty good run defense (88.5 yards per game, 3.6 yards per carry). Maybe Herman Edwards will take a page out of Marty Schottenheimer’s book and throw to set up the run. As long as the Chiefs pick up the Steelers blitzing well, the Steelers are vulnerable to a team that can throw the ball. Damon Huard has exceeded all expectations with his fine play. Huard has completed 70.2% of his passes and has a QB rating of 107.4. Huard has a decent cast of receivers to throw to in TE Tony Gonzalez and WRs Eddie Kennison and Samie Parker. Huard’s favorite receiver so far has been RB Larry Johnson (20 rec, 268 yards). Look for Huard to challenge the Steelers linebackers with screens and passes to the flat area to Johnson.
The Steelers will try to run the football first when they have the ball. Willie Parker has run the ball well (325 yards), but the Steelers have been falling behind in games and getting away from their running game. The Chiefs allow 106.5 yards rushing per game, but only 3.6 yards per carry…..so they might be able to run, but the yards will be tough to get.  The Steelers really need one of their receivers other than Hines Ward to step up and relieve him of all the double coverage he’s been seeing. TE Heath Miller had a big game in the season opener, but he’s disappeared as of late. Cedric Wilson or Santonio Holmes must step up soon, or the Steelers will continue to have a hard time passing the ball. The Chiefs secondary is full of veterans that pick-off passes so Ben Roethlisberger better be careful with the football. The Chiefs only allow 147.8 yards per game passing and have held opposing QBs to a 66.5 QB rating. If Roethlisberger doesn’t play a mistake-free game on Sunday, the Steelers are in trouble.
I think the Steelers have the more talented team, but I think the Chiefs have a real chance at an upset here. In fact, I’m picking the Chiefs to win this game outright.
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Reserve linebacker James Harrison (high ankle sprain) and Willie Reid (foot) were both injured Sunday against the Chargers and will miss this week’s game against the Chiefs. Santonio Holmes will replace Reid as the kick-off and punt returner.
The Steelers special teams are adding to the overall pathetic play of the Steelers so far this season. The Steelers haven’t done well covering punts (11.1 yards per return) or kick-offs (22.3 yards per kick-off return).
Jeff Reed is only 4 of 6 on FGs, but he’s nailed all 7 XPTs. Punter Chris Gardocki has been solid again averaging 45.4 yards per punt return, 37.0 net yards, and he has pinned the opposition inside the 20 yard line 27.8% of the time.
The return games have been weak so far. Santonio Holmes has averaged 5.7 yards per punt return and 22.8 yards per kick-off return. Ricardo Cloclough was pathetic returning punts averaging 1.5 yards per punt return before injuring his neck to end his season. Rookie Willie Reid will get his chance to prove himself and save the special teams. Reid returned one punt for 11 yards and a kick-off for 19 yards.
For a team with a defense as good as the Steelers have, you would think they would be better covering kicks.
