***SWAMP DIVISIONAL ROUND- AFC PART 2 - PITT @ KC***
***PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS***
The Divisional round finale has fireworks potential as we get another classic AFC matchup when the deadly "Killer B's" and the Pittsburgh Steelers head into the infamous Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Chiefs. The weather was a bit "icy" to say the least and the NFL moved the game back into the night time slot to avoid a potential ice storm. It seems as though we will have some clear skies tonight when these two hard nosed teams face-off for a chance to play the Patriots in the AFC Title game. The Steelers are in the midst of an eight game winning streak and look to be peaking at the perfect time. For the first time in their careers, QB Big Ben Roethlisberger, RB Le'Veon Bell, and WR Antonio Brown AKA the "Killer B's" are all healthy at the same time in the postseason. If the way they dismantled the Miami Dolphins defense last week was any indication of what's to come, the Chiefs may have their work cut out for them here tonight with trying to slow down the trio. When facing these guys it seems to be a case of "pick your poison" and hope that you can limit their production because they will get theirs one way or another. The Chiefs defense has been stellar at times this season but has shown that they can also be exploited in both the running and passing game at times. As long as the weather holds up, I like Big Ben to be able to take advantage of certain matchups in the secondary tonight and find Brown, but more importantly, I like Bell to run the rock with authority tonight and control the game throughout. Bell is arguably the best RB in the NFL and definitely the best 'mudder' there is in my mind when it comes to running in bad weather. The Steelers are on a mission and I think really started something on Christmas Day when Antonio Brown reached out and put the ball over the goal line to eliminate their rival the Baltimore Ravens from playoff contention and essentially winning the Division and punching their ticket to the playoffs. The mojo is flowing for this crew and the defense is starting to really take shape as well. The Steelers defense is a unit that has struggled to find it's way since long time leaders like Troy Polamalu retired, but seems to of finally started to find themselves behind youngsters like LB Ryan Shazier, Bud Dupree, and CB Artie Burns mixing with veterans LBs James Harrison, Lawrence Timmons makes up for a very strong unit who now is fully healthy and playing with confidence. Tonight they have a tough task up against the Chiefs on the road where the deafening crowd noise will surely play into the Chiefs favor but with an offense as limited as Kansas City's can be at times I think the Steelers will focus on taking away the Chiefs new toy in MR. Do-it-all Tyreek Hill who has absolutely shredded defenses in many different ways during the second half of this year while making a name for himself. I know all about KC Head Coach Andy Reid's statistics off a bye and that he is a genius of a coach in general, but I just think that Pitt is going to be too much for these guys to handle tonight. Although it has nothing to do with tonight, the first time they met up in week four, the Steelers romped them by a score of 43-14. That was when PItt started the season fully healthy and I believe that game alone gives them the assurance that they can go on the road tonight and get a playoff win against a rested Chiefs team and advance to the AFC Championship. Kickoff is quickly approaching and I apologize for the subpar writeup, but I will just end this on the fact that I believe that when tonight is said and done, Pitt QB Big Ben will face-off against Tom Brady in an epic battle next weekend for the AFC title. They won't be denied tonight. STEELERS+2.5
