Steelers Special Teams Play Key For Victory Against Chiefs
Quietly and calmly, the Steelers have been very solid on special teams play this season.
That’s a statement not often boasted or even mentioned when talking about successes of the Pittsburgh Steelers in recent years. Well, here we are. The Steelers special teams play has been solid, and has been a factor in keeping the field long for the opposition. Rarely have the Steelers’ opponents this season have been able to flip the field quickly and allowed for short drives on the wrong side of the 50 yard line.
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Special teams specialists like Shmarko Thomas and Antwan Blake have been great in getting down field quickly on punt and kick returns. Their pursuit has been fantastic. The special teams unit has only given up one touchdown all season between both kick off and punt returns. That score came from who else, but Baltimore Ravens
Jacoby Joneson a 108 yard return. Mike Tomlin wisely stayed clear of the sidelines that time.
Aside from that blemish, their record is clean.
That type of solid play will need to continue heading into Sunday against the Chiefs. They have a weapon of their own by the name of De’Anthony Thomas. Thomas is a rookie out of Oregon, and you can think of him as the player Dri Archer should have been for the Steelers this year.
Thomas has gained 710 yards and one touchdown on 12 kick returns and 28 punt returns. As the coaching staff’s confidence grows around Thomas, he’s getting more and more touches. He’s no Devin Hester when it comes to returns… at least yet. But, this is still the guy the Steelers will need to keep in check on Sunday.
The Chiefs D will play the Steelers tough, and the high powered offense around Ben Roethlisberger might only be able to amass around 24 points or less. Turnovers and special teams play will be critical in a winning formula. If the Steelers allow Thomas to break free on a return, he could easily flip the field or even score to put the Chiefs up for good if the game is tight on the scoreboard.
Hopefully, they can contain him when he’s on the field for the offense as well.