Steelers Lose Home Opener to Chiefs as QB Patrick Mahomes Dominates

By Brandon Wallace

SteelerNation.com

PITTSBURGH, PA - In a game that started ugly, turned promising, but finished in disappointment, the Pittsburgh Steelers drop their home opener Sunday to the Kansas City Chiefs 42-37, taking their record to 0-1-1 on the season.

Starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes threw for six touchdowns which brought his season total to 10 on the year. That set an NFL record for most touchdown passes through the first two games of the season. In the first half, the Steelers defense just couldn't seem to stop the Kansas City passing game which put them in an early hole of 21-0.

“We had to score points. When you get in a hole like that you have to score points and score quick,” said starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger. “It makes you run the no-huddle and throw the ball every play pretty much. I am proud of the way the guys fought to the very end,” he added.

As the Steelers fought their way back, eventually taking the game to a 28-28 tie, there were a few highlights worth noting. One being the Steelers first touchdown of the game which featured a beautiful touchdown pass from Roethlisberger to tight end Jesse James. Another being a spectacular (almost) catch by running back, James Conner. See them both here:

With the first half beginning to wind down, the Steelers began showing more signs of life. With about six and a half minutes left to go in the second quarter, Roethlisberger was able to throw his second touchdown pass of the game, but this time, it was to second-year wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster.

You can't have a JuJu touchdown without a JuJu celebration:

[embed]https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1041421631242031107[/embed]

Maybe the biggest sigh of relief coming in the first half was seeing rookie wideout James Washington earn his first NFL touchdown on a pass from Roethlisberger. This put the Steelers in a position to tie the game for the first time of the day after seeing kicker Chris Boswell continue his struggling start to the season by already missing a field goal and a PAT at this point in the game. See Washington's touchdown here:

Second Half

The running game for the Steelers was non-existent all day. Conner, however, was able to earn a tough touchdown run to re-tie up the game at 28 midway through the third quarter.

[embed]https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1041404735251611648[/embed]

Later in the game, after a few more Kansas City scores, the Chiefs ended up adding to their lead with another Mahomes touchdown pass, but this time, to speedy wideout Tyreek Hill giving the Chiefs a 42-28 advantage.

As the Steelers got the ball back, their offense sputtered and ended up punting to the Chiefs, pinning them on their own one-yard line. The defense made their biggest play of the day tackling Kansas City's Kareem Hunt in the end zone for a safety. This brings the score to 42-30.

With the Steelers getting the ball back and the game coming down to the wire, Roethlisberger decides to take matters into his own hands:

Them wheels though.

KC 42 | PIT 37 pic.twitter.com/GP3U2oC4G9
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 16, 2018

After a resilient effort, the Steelers unfortunately weren't able to complete the comeback, eventually losing to the Chiefs as they ran out the clock. They'll look to rebound next Monday night against the red-hot Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

FINAL: KC 42 | PT 37

Stat Leaders for the Day

Ben Roethlisberger 39/60, 452 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions

James Conner 8 attempts, 17 yards, 1 touchdown

Jesse James 5 receptions, 138 yards, 1 touchdown

Vince Williams 4 solo tackles

Daniel McCullers 1 sack

#SteelerNation

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