Chiefs coach Andy Reid expects stiffer challenge from Steelers in playoffs. Here’s why
Sunday’s chaos on the NFL’s final day of the regular-season resulted in the Chiefs getting what seems to be a favorable matchup in the wild-card round.
Rather than playing a rubber match with the L.A. Chargers or facing the Indianapolis Colts and Jonathan Taylor, the NFL’s top running back, the Chiefs will open the postseason Sunday night at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The game, which will kick off at 7:15 p.m. and air on NBC, will come exactly three weeks after the Chiefs blasted the Steelers 36-10 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Many fans think the Chiefs caught a huge break by getting to face the Steelers again. But Chiefs coach Andy Reid said that first game means nothing now.
“We know that they’re very, very well coached, a great organization and and a good football team,” Reid said Monday. ”And in the playoffs, it really doesn’t matter what you’ve done before when we played. It’s about now and everything’s a little faster in the playoffs and more aggressive.
“It’s just the nature of the thing and how it works. So we’ve got to make sure that we get ourselves right and go through that process.”
Steelers’ focus
Pittsburgh wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud was asked Monday in a news conference what his team needs to improve upon from the Steelers’ first game against the Chiefs.
McCloud talked about a different kind of speed.
“Start fast on all facets of the game: special teams, defense, offense to start fast and just play together,” McCloud said. “Anybody can be a spark at anytime, so you’ve just got to stay locked in the game.”
Last month, the Chiefs scored the first 30 points of the game, and the Steelers had no chance to mount a comeback.
Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt reportedly had cracked ribs in that game. But Reid expects Watt, who tied the NFL’s single-season record for sacks on Sunday, to be ready.
“He sure look healthy (Sunday) and I wouldn’t slight 56 (Alex Highsmith) on the other side either,” Reid said. “They’ve got good rushers: 97 (Cameron Hayward) is a Pro Bowler, too, and a big-time player. That’s a healthy defensive front that can bring it, and Watt is one of the best in the business. So yes, I would tell you we need to be aware of them.”
This will be the Steelers’ 14th playoff appearance in the last 21 years and their 10th time in the postseason during Mike Tomlin’s 15 seasons as head coach.
Reid noted that long-term success, too.
“They’re a good football team, “Reid said. “They’re well-coached. The organization with the Rooney family is strong. It’s been strong for several years.”
This story was originally published January 10, 2022 at 1:56 PM with the headline "Chiefs coach Andy Reid expects stiffer challenge from Steelers in playoffs. Here’s why."
