Steelers looking forward after shaky win in KC

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

The Pittsburgh Steelers remain in the thick of the AFC playoff race.

They know, however, they’re not exactly playing playoff-caliber football.

The latest stumble came in an ugly 13-9 victory over Kansas City on Sunday night as the defending AFC champions let the undermanned and offensively challenged Chiefs stay in the game until the final minute.

Sure, Pittsburgh improved to 8-3 and remain in a tie with Baltimore atop the AFC North.

Sure, the Steelers won for the sixth time in seven games on the strength of four turnovers.

Sure, they made enough plays to avoid an embarrassing collapse against an overmatched opponent.

Yet it wasn’t exactly 60 minutes of crisp football. The offense managed just 13 points and 290 yards while turning it over twice.

The defense let former Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko come within a minute of pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the season.

“You’re happy to get the win, but also disappointed with how the offense played,” quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. “I think that’s what team is all about. The defense stepped up huge for us and they carried us.”

It really didn’t have a choice after the Steelers fumbled away a scoring opportunity on Mewelde Moore’s fumble near the Kansas City goal line in the first quarter and couldn’t take advantage of prime field position on several occasions.

Roethlisberger passed for a season-low 193 yards, though that number would have been much higher if not for a pair of costly drops by normally sure-handed speedster Mike Wallace.

The offensive line let the Chiefs get into the backfield with regularity and the running game continued to operate in fits and starts.

Rashard Mendenhall needed 17 carries to muster 57 yards and while Moore provided a spark, he also fumbled at the Kansas City 2.

“Tonight, I think we had our first setback,” Roethlisberger said. “I don’t think it’s anything to panic over. It’s one game against a good defense in a hostile environment.”

One that seemed to rattle the Steelers, who haven’t exactly lit it up on the road this year. Pittsburgh is 4-2 away from Heinz Field but only looked sharp in small patches even against mediocre teams like the Chiefs.

It makes getting homefield advantage throughout the playoffs a priority, though the Steelers need some help to make sure they don’t have to hop on a plane if they make the postseason. Pittsburgh needs the Ravens to finish a game behind in the standings to win the division. Baltimore holds the tiebreaker after sweeping the Steelers this season.