PITTSBURGH -- Another round of high marks after the Steelers beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 20-12, to clinch their first playoff berth since 2011.
Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger leads the AFC in passing yards (4,635), but he has been at his best during this three-game winning streak when the 11th-year veteran has patiently taken what defenses have given the Steelers. Game manager is often a back-handed compliment or even an indictment when it is conferred on quarterbacks. Roethlisberger’s past three games are proof that the title can also be the ultimate compliment. Grade: A
Running backs: Le’Veon Bell ran against a defense determined not to let the second-year man beat it for the second week in a row. Bell grinded out 63 rushing yards and a touchdown on 20 carries but he opened up the middle of the field for tight end Heath Miller, who caught seven passes for 68 yards. Grade: B-
Receivers: Miller and Antonio Brown each caught a game-high seven passes. Brown had what is a quiet game for him but still led the Steelers with 72 receiving yards. The two-time Pro Bowler also worked to get free in the end zone on his 3-yard touchdown catch. Martavis Bryant caught a 44-yard pass on the third play of the game but was shut out the rest of the way. Grade: B-
Offensive line: The Steelers averaged just 2.6 yards per carry, but the Chiefs loaded the box. The line largely neutralized Chiefs outside linebackers Justin Houston and Tamba Hali. Houston recorded his NFL-leading 18th sack but that was the only time that Roethlisberger got sacked. Grade: B
Defensive line: Chiefs Pro Bowl running back Jamaal Charles managed just 29 rushing yards and averaged 3.2 yards per carry. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt forced the only turnover of the game when he belted Charles from behind after a 3-yard catch. Defensive end Cameron Heyward recorded 1 ½ sacks, and he and Tuitt consistently generated inside pressure when the Steelers were in their nickel package. Grade: A
Linebackers: Outside linebackers James Harrison and Jason Worilds combined for 3 ½ sacks and Harrison absolutely owned Chiefs left tackle Eric Fisher. Inside linebacker Vince Williams recovered the fumble that Tuitt forced and Lawrence Timmons made tackles all over the field. The inside linebacker recorded a game-high 13 stops. He also made a key play in the end zone when he did not bite on a double move by Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and forced an incomplete pass. Grade: A
Secondary: Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith took advantage of soft coverage to dink and dunk his way to 311 passing yards and his first 300-yard game this season. The Steelers were just OK at tackling after the catch, and a missed tackle by cornerback William Gay resulted in a 33-yard catch and run by wide receiver Albert Wilson, the Chiefs’ longest play of the game. Cornerback Antwon Blake recorded seven tackles and made a huge pass break up in the end zone when Smith tried to hit wide receiver Dwayne Bowe with a back-shoulder throw. Grade: C
Special teams: The Steelers gave up a first down on a fake field goal, though the defense still ended up holding Kansas City to a field goal. Brad Wing boomed a 56-yard punt after an earlier 34-yard punt, and the Steelers’ kick coverage units were superb. The Chiefs averaged just 20.8 yards on five kickoff returns, and the dangerous De’Anthony Thomas did minimal damage as a returner. Grade B-
Coaching: Mike Tomlin has his team peaking at the right time. The Steelers are playing their best football as they chase an AFC North title and a home game in the playoffs. The Steelers didn’t abandon the run even with the Chiefs intent of stopping it, keeping the middle of the field open for Miller. The defense shut down the run, got to the quarterback early and often and forced the Chiefs to settle for field goals when they got close to the Steelers’ end zone. That is how it is supposed to work in Dick LeBeau’s defense. Grade: A