He’d been hurt on a play with the game well in hand.
Even if the prospect of having Roethlisberger still under center and throwing with Pittsburgh firmly in control late seemed an unnecessary risk to some, particularly on social media even after Pittsburgh reeled off its eighth straight win.
If they believe in their hearts, their minds and, their bodies, Berry told them they can overcome the challenge that awaits them as Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown come to town with a spot in the AFC title game on the line.
The Chiefs got a bellyful of Bell during their regular-season encounter. They’d lost at Miami, 30-15, during the regular season, after all. Running back Le’Veon Bell ran for franchise playoff single-game record 167 yards and two touchdowns. “If you’re hoping to see a sequel on Sunday, we’ve got a few reasons to feel good about the Chiefs” chances. Really it’s just that understanding not to try to force the big plays, understanding if we do what we’re supposed to do – get the ball where it’s supposed to go on a consistent basis early in games – the big plays will come to us. That offensive uptick is thanks mostly to Bell, who’s totaled 1,265 yards from scrimmage in his last seven games (he sat out Pittsburgh’s Week 17 win over Cleveland).Bell made his season debut in that Week 4 game against Kansas City and notched 178 yards (144 rushing, 34 receiving) from scrimmage on only 23 touches.
Guaranteeing anything when it comes to picking games in the playoffs is a recipe for disaster, but I’m going to issue a guarantee right here, right now. “But when they have their full complement of players, that’s an area where we have to be great in pass protection, especially at their place”. It’s gonna be real loud there. Smith has averaged 261.8 yards passing with 11 touchdown throws and one interception in five career playoff games.
Coach Andy Reid expressed some optimism March-Lillard could return against the Steelers. Their third possession of the game was a 10-play touchdown drive on which all 10 plays were rushing attempts by Bell. “When they do the what we’ll call ally screen and bubble screens and stuff like that, they’re still trying to make you defend the whole field”. “Because some guys have never been in this situation before, and I’ve been in a lot of them”.
And really, there’s only one who has the power to decide when, where and how the football gets where it needs to go. “That’s why we talk about how important the playoffs are in every practice, every rep you can take”, Roethlisberger said. “There’s not a guaranteed way to play all the time”. He’s a powerful back. In his absence, Hill got more and more playing time. Those numbers are pretty telling, and they’re going to go a long way towards slowing down Bell and the powerful Steelers offense. “But it is fun to sit and watch and just see what he’s gonna do because he’s incredibly talented”.
While his ability on special teams is a threat to consider, his style of play fits the mold of what the Chiefs have done in recent years on offense.
“Obviously turning the ball over on my part, can’t do it”, Roethlisberger said.
“We had our foot on the pedal”, Gilbert said. You start out so well.
“I think we’re a little more mature team”, DeCastro said. “Very, very good defense”. And, yes, I know what you’re thinking: How could he? That sounds so harsh.
“I think it just a wait-and-see kind of thing”, Sutton said. When I walked out for the game at the beginning there I saw nothing but red, impressive.