Chiefs Stomp Steelers: National Reaction To Embarassing Rout

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Kansas City Chiefs gave away a large lump of coal as a Christmas gift Wednesday as they stormed to a 29-10 stomping of the Steelers. Here's what sportswriters around the country thought about the game:

• Bryan DeArdo, CBS Sports: Pittsburgh outrushed the Chiefs 202-61, with Najee Harris leading the way with 74 yards on 13 carries (Harris became the first player in franchise history to rush for over 1,000 yards in each of his first fourseasons). But the Steelers' mistakes and their defense's inability to come up with big plays made Pittsburgh's running game a moot point.

• Brooke Pryor, ESPN:The once-stout Steelers defense has given up an average of 30 points in

the past three weeks, and the turnovers that once defined the team's success have slowed. The Steelers have only three takeaways in the past three games after collecting three each in the four games before the losing streak. The Steelers failed to produce a takeaway against the Chiefs, despite forcing a fumble the Chiefs ultimately recovered on a punt return.

• Grant Gordon, NFL.com: It’s worrying season in Pittsburgh. Down 19 points with six minutes to play, the Steelers were facing fourth-and-2 from their 22-yard line. They weren’t waiving any Terrible Towel; they were throwing in the towel when Mike Tomlin opted to punt. Though there’s a playoff ticket already punched, Pittsburgh has now lost three in a row.

• Jori Epstein, Yahoo Sports: Falling to 10-6, the Steelers lost control of the AFC North ahead of the Baltimore Ravens’ Wednesday afternoon game at the Houston Texans. Expect Pittsburgh’s finale against the Cincinnati Bengals to influence AFC playoff seeding.