Steelers vs. Chiefs: What they're saying after K.C.'s blowout win

Talk in the Midwest in the wake of the Kansas City Chiefs’ 36-10 rout of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday was all about division titles and possible Super Bowl runs.

Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, many are left wondering how deep of an overhaul the Steelers might consider in the offseason — even if they are lucky enough to sneak into the playoffs.

Herbie Teope of the Kansas City Star had nothing but high marks for the Chiefs, giving Patrick Mahomes and the passing game an “A” grade despite not having tight end Travis Kelce because of covid protocols.

“Mahomes apparently didn’t need Kelce or even wide receiver Tyreek Hill to have a big game,” Teope wrote for the Star. “The Pro Bowl quarterback picked apart the Steelers, completing 23 of 30 passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns for a 135.1 passer rating, his second-highest rating this season. Mahomes completed passes to nine fellow Chiefs, finding Mecole Hardman for a touchdown, and had the entire passing attack firing like a well-oiled machine.

“During the game, former Chiefs right tackle Mitchell Schwartz quipped in a tweet: ‘The only logical conclusion we can make is that Travis Kelce has been holding this offense back.’”

Teope’s colleague, Vahe Gregorian, gave much of the credit to Andy Reid (meanwhile, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has been roundly criticized this season and was again after the loss to the Chiefs).

“Doing what they did said something more about what’s here, especially about the resilience and adaptability of Reid and his staff and these players,” Gregorian wrote.

Even Reid suggested it was an easy win.

“They came out,” Reid said of his players, “and did a great job of making it look easy. Not such an easy thing.”

Meanwhile, there was plenty of blame to go around on the Steelers sideline, per Bryan DeArdo CBS Sports.

“The offensive line again struggled to consistently open up holes for (Najee) Harris, especially during the start of games. … Far too many times on Sunday, the Steelers attempted short passes on third-and-long that failed to come anywhere close to the first down marker.

“It’s hard to blame a defense that was on the field for two-thirds of the first half, but the Steelers’ defense nevertheless failed to come up with a big play after forcing four turnovers in last Sunday’s win over Tennessee. And Pittsburgh’s defense continues to struggle to stop the run.”