Steelers and Roethlisberger ready for Chiefs challenge - NFL Preview
Pittsburgh Steelers will have their fingers crossed hoping that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger comes off the long bye week well rested and that his broken thumb does not give much trouble when they take on Kansas City Chiefs in
their game week 12 matchup on Sunday at The Arrowhead Stadium.
Steelers are currently second in the American Football Conference North Division after a 24-17 victory over Cincinnati Bengals in week 10. Unfortunately, their main quarterback fractured his thumb during the encounter. However,
it seems that Roethlisberger was lucky not to suffer a more serious fracture, unlike Chicago Bears Jay Cutler who has got his season ended after receiving a similar injury.
Steelers' Coach Mike Tomlin does not believe his star quarterback will have any problems during the game saying
"There's a pain tolerance issue," Tomlin said. "There's a comfortability issue. All of those things will be sorted out throughout the course of the week. To be honest with you, I'm not overly concerned about his ability to be effective
in the midst of this."
Pittsburgh Steelers are in good form this season with a 7-3 record, winning five of their previous six games. They were on a good four-game winning run before a demoralising last-minute loss to Baltimore Ravens in game week 9.
Steelers were winning 16-20 in the fourth quarter with just five minutes of regular time left, but Ravens scored a miracle touchdown with just eight seconds left on the clock through Torrey Smith snapping their winning run.
Pittsburgh, however, put behind all the grief to pummel Cincinnati Bengals 24-17 and will look to maintain their playoff position in the AFC North division.
Ben Roethlisberger will be the key for a Steelers victory in Kansas. The quarterback is seventh overall in the NFL ratings and has a pass completion rate of 63.3% completing 224 out of 354 passes.
Kansas City Chiefs (4-6, 3rd in AFC West) have their own problems in the quarterback position. Matt Cassel is out for the season after being placed on injured reserve with a significant hand injury during a 17-10 loss
to Denver Broncos in game week 10 and the seventh Chiefs player to make the list this season.
The Chiefs will start with rookie quarterback Tyler Palko against Steelers even though they have signed waived Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton this week. Palko had a rough debut last time in game week 11 against New England
Patriots throwing three interceptions as Chiefs were murdered 34-3.
Palko was in shock with how his NFL debut panned out saying
"This game is hard enough as it is without making mistakes," said Palko, "When you make mistakes it's going to show up, and show up at inopportune times."
Palko will have to learn the game real fast if he wants Chiefs to have any chance to snap their three-game losing streak; a task made all the more difficult when a well rested and ready Pittsburgh Steelers side come to town.
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