Facing a daunting opponent the Chiefs showed no fear as they defeated the Pittsburg Steelers 27-24 in a overtime thriller. This was a game filled with big plays but none was bigger than the very first play of the game. After winning the opening kick Jamaal Charles promptly took the kick back 97 yards to the house giving the Chiefs the early 7-0 advantage. On the Chiefs ensuing drive the Chiefs would pin the Steelers inside their own two yard line after a Dustin Colquitt punt was downed by Maurice Leggett, looking to get out of his own end zone Ben Roethlisberger would hit Mike Wallace deep down the right side of the field for a 33 yard gain only to be stripped by Brandon Flowers the Chiefs were unable to do anything with the turnover and would eventually punt. The Steelers would pull within four early in the second quarter after a 36 yard field goal, then things would get scary for the Chiefs.

Closing out the first half Ben Roethlisberger would toss two touchdown passes in a four minute span ( Hines Ward, eight yards Heath Miller, ten yards) to give the Steelers a 10 point cushion going in to the half. But the Chiefs would not give up and were not to be stopped on this afternoon, on the opening possession of the second half Andy Studebaker would pick off a Ben Roethlisberger pass this time the Chiefs would convert on the turnover as Matt Cassel connected on a 21 yard toss to Leonard Pope to pull the Chiefs within three at 17-14. After trading punts with the Chiefs the Steelers would regain their offensive traction and would drive all the way to the Chiefs 10 yard but would be stopped as Ben Roethlisberger was again picked off by Andy Studebaker this time Studebaker took the ball down the right sideline 94 yards only to be drug down at the Steelers eight yard line. The Chiefs would fail to get in the end zone and would be forced to settle for three as they tie the game at 17 all as the third quarter expires.

Three minutes in to the final quarter the Chiefs would regain possession only to have QB Matt Cassel fumble setting the Steelers up to take the lead with the ball at the KC 27. The Steelers would capitalize on the turnover with Ben Roethlisberger hitting Rashard Mendenhall on a eight yard scoring strike. Down 24-17 to the defending Super Bowl Champions with 8:29 left Matt Cassel has not phased even though he had struggled all afternoon in fact he was saving his best for last. Answering right back after the Steelers took the lead Cassel would promptly hit Lance Long on a 30 pass straight down the middle of the field, the very next pass Cassel would hit Chris Chambers down the middle of the field for a 47 yard gain. The Drive would be capped of with a two yard Jamaal Charles touch down reception.

Tied at 24 the Steelers would have one last shot to end it in regulation as they got the ball back with 1:47 remaining but would be held to a punt by a Chiefs defense that played one of their most complete games of the season. In to overtime the Steelers would win the toss and they would start driving immediately. Ben Roethlisberger would lead the Steelers all the way down to the Chiefs 49 before being knocked out of the game with what appeared to be a concussion after being sacked by Derrick Johnson. On would come back up Charle Batch who would get the Steelers all the way to Chiefs 35 which would make a 52 yard field goal then Javon Belcher would make a game saving tackle on Mewelde Moore pushing him back for a loss of three taking the Steelers out of field goal range and forcing a punt.

Facing a third and five in the extra period Matt Cassel would again seize the moment hitting Chris Chambers on a shallow crossing route that would turn in to a 61 yard catch and run as Chambers was forced out at the Pitt four yard line. From that point the game was a mere formality as Ryan Succop would nail the 22 yard field goal and the last pick in the draft Mr. Irrelevant would give the Chiefs their most relevant win of the season.

Grading the keys to the Game

1. Make the Steelers beat you on the ground: The Chiefs may have let Ben Roethlisberger sling the ball all over the field as he passed for nearly 400 yards, but the Chiefs did come up with two timely interceptions and balanced the game out by not letting the Steelers get their running game going.

Grade: C-

2. Keep Charles in Charge: For two straight weeks Jamaal Charles has been the difference in the game, first Jamaal takes the opening kick back for six, then he comes through with a touchdown catch to keep the Chiefs in the game. In overtime Charles would help keep the drive alive with a key 10 yard run, needless to say Charles played a big role in this victory and is starting to realize his potential.

Grade: A+

3.Don’t abandon the vertical game: The Chiefs were a little conservative in the first half playing with the lead and eventually their conservative ways cost them the lead. But boy did they come out firing in the second half with two touchdown passes and for the second straight week three completions of thirty yards or more. The Chiefs did a good job of taking their shots when they needed to and it resulted in a win the Chiefs may have found the offensive identity they have been searching for all season all they need to do now is believe in it.

Grade: A+