Why does it have to be so dramatic Steelers Nation?

Okay, I get it. Pittsburgh gave us “that” game last week, with a walloping of the Dolphins, but still I swear this team is going to give me a heart condition!

But a win, is a win, is a win, and for that, I cannot yinz! The Steelers are on their way to the AFC Championship, by virtue of beating a Kansas City team which many felt they would not beat on the road. (Remember when Mike Tomlin couldn’t win on the road?)

The victory extends the Steelers winning streak to nine, when nine games ago we were all ready to stick a fork in this team! (Right?)

That’s all behind us now, and staring us right in the eye is a date next Sunday in Foxborough… however, we have some ground to cover first, from the trip to Arrowhead!

Hot/Cold Ben

Ben gets hot, Ben gets cold, and so goes the story.

Some of Ben’s passes weren’t on the money early, and of course the play he checked out of a run, and tried to heave a pass which turned into an interception, ultimately fell on him.

Yet, how clutch were those final tosses to Eli Rogers, and the game-clincher to Antonio Brown? No one (and I do mean no one) but AB and Big Ben have that special connection. (And it showed in that final play.)

Ring the Bell (again)

Le’Veon Bell bested his previous franchise postseason rushing record, set a week earlier, by 3 yards. At times he was truly unstoppable and really shows what Pittsburgh can achieve when he’s on the field. The game-changing running back had a heck of a day, posting 170 yards on the ground.

The Other “B”

As the title states, another “Killer B” was born Sunday night, and his name is Chris Boswell.

Boswell set an NFL playoff record by kicking 6 field goals, which were all 18 of the Steelers points.

Boz had ice in his veins, with his big money kicks from: 22, 38, 36, 45, 43, and 43.

Winning football teams win in every phase, and Boswell does just that as the Steelers kicker. He truly does deserve a game ball!

James Harrison

Two QB hits, the Steelers only sack, and working Eric Fisher into a penalty which took the tying 2 point conversion off the scoreboard, James Harrison gets a game ball too. (Yeah, I’m handing these out this week, but they are deserved!)

Father Time is truly ageless as we always say each week, and I almost feel like this team wants to win for him… and he wants to win for them too.

I’m amazed, but then I’m not: we’ve come to expect this from 92 in his career, though it’s hard to believe he was actually retired a few seasons ago! Wow.

Defense

Bent but didn’t break. They gave up touchdowns at the beginning and at the end, but ultimately forced 2 turnovers, and won that battle. The Chiefs only converted 2-of-9 third downs, while the Pittsburgh defense once again held another offense under 20 points.

They’re nothing flashy (yet) but they still get the job done. Kudos!

Special Teams

Finally, aside from Chris Boswell, this unit still scares me.

Jordan Berry is a fine punter, and kicking directional punts out of bounds is difficult, but a 35-yarders is ugly and it led to a Chiefs field goal on their next-to-last possession. Though I prefer that over kicking to dangerous returner, Pro Bowler Tyreek Hill, it is something which still needs address.

That, and the squib kick which came after the first Boswell field goal. The short kick started KC at their 45, and the result was the first touchdown scored on an opening possession against the Steelers defense this season.

Justin Gilbert had one okay return, and one miserable attempt at the end of the game, which put Pittsburgh in a dangerous spot on the field, where anything could’ve resulted in Kansas City evening the game with a safety, or worse, a defensive touchdown.

Luckily the Steelers handled business, and the rest is in the books as a “W” in the win column.