KC Chiefs-Steelers prediction: How will Patrick Mahomes fare in first Wild Card Round?
The Steelers are spending the week proving they know the football world thinks they’re underdogs in Kansas City for the Wild Card Round on Sunday.
But can you blame the rest of us? The Chiefs blew out the Steelers just three weeks ago despite playing short-handed and outrank them in just about every important statistical category.
The Steelers didn’t finish in the top-20 in total offense or total defense, which speaks to the coaching job Mike Tomlin did this season. And that’s probably their best weapon Sunday — they are sure to show Patrick Mahomes something he didn’t see in the Week 16 onslaught.
Will it be enough? That’s unlikely.
Mahomes was 23 of 30 for 258 yards and three touchdowns in that 36-10 win last month. If the Chiefs can again account for the Steelers’ formidable pass rush led by T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward — and there’s reason to believe they can with their much-improved offensive line — it should make for a profitable Wild Card Weekend.
That is Mahomes’ first Wild Card Weekend, by the way. No matter how you envision this game, it’s factually more difficult than how Mahomes has spent his first three postseason opening rounds — watching from home, studying a future opponent.
The Chiefs will be on the field this time, but we anticipate they will participate in the Divisional Round just the same.
Kickoff: 7:15 p.m. Central
TV/radio: NBC (Ch. 41)/WDAF (106.5 FM)
Line: Chiefs by 12 1/2
Sam McDowell’s prediction: Chiefs 31-13
This story was originally published January 13, 2022 at 11:52 AM with the headline "KC Chiefs-Steelers prediction: How will Patrick Mahomes fare in first Wild Card Round?."