The Steelers have fallen into second place in the AFC North after losing their third straight game yesterday while the Baltimore Ravens won their third straight. In Pittsburgh on Christmas Day, the Steelers lost to the two-time Super Bowl champion Chiefs, 29-10. In Houston, the Ravens dominated the Texans, 34-2.
Coach Mike Tomlin groused about the effort and some players, particularly members of the defensive backfield, were visibly and verbally upset after Patrick Mahomes shredded them for three touchdowns passes.
Mahomes completed 29 of 38 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns. Travis Kelce caught eight passes for 84 yards and a score, setting the Chiefs’ all-time record for receiving touchdowns, and he became the third tight end in NFL history with 1,000 receptions, joining Tony Gonzalez (1,325) and Jason Witten (1.228). The Steelers’ defensive backs repeatedly lost track of Kelce, who ran free and wide open all afternoon long.
Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson completed 23 of 37 passes for 205 yards and another bad interception in the end zone. He also ran for a score. Najee Harris ran for 74 yards and Jaylen Warren had 71.
Wilson was sacked five times for 43 yards. Mahomes was not sacked and was rarely touched by the Steelers’ pass rush.
An angry coach Mike Tomlin says the Steelers just weren’t good enough.
Tomlin says the Steelers can’t lose the turnover battle and expect to win games.
The coach says they’ll break down the video from yesterday’s game and will not stand pat heading into the final game of the regular season.
Russell Wilson says the Steelers can reverse the downward trend.
Wilson still believes the Steelers can make a playoff run.
TJ Watt finished with three tackles, one for a loss, and he batted down a pass, but he says you can’t give Mahomes time to throw the ball.
Watt says the Steelers don’t have to look hard to find answers.
There’s only one regular season game left for the AFC North title and it doesn’t look good for the Steelers to catch the Ravens. Pittsburgh will host Cincinnati on Sunday, January 5th while the Ravens will host Cleveland. If the Steelers win and the Ravens lose, the Steelers win the tiebreaker.
The only injury of note was a sprained ankle suffered by Cam Heyward in the fourth quarter, but he returned to the game.
NFL
There is Thursday Night Football tonight, with the Seahawks visiting the Bears in Chicago.
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