Chiefs vs. Steelers: 10 Observations

All good things must come to an end.

This special season for the Kansas City Chiefs came to its conclusion in front of a rowdy crowd at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Chiefs fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers by a score of 18-16 on Sunday night in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs.

) got called for one that when you’re playing a shorter player, that can go either way. I don’t know about that one—I’m curious to see that on tape. That’s what it is and we’ll move on. We’re not making any excuses for anything.”

All the mistakes and self-inflicted wounds, and this team still had a chance late in the game, which is the grit Reid was talking about and not something that was just showing itself tonight, but was the case all season.

They battled to the end and that final drive by the offense was just another example.

4. finds on a key fourth down late in the game

took it in and gave the Chiefs a chance to tie the game with a two-point conversion.

On the two-point attempt, Smith found tight end in the back of the end zone for a successful attempt, but left tackle Eric Fisher was flagged for holding—his teammates and coach Andy Reid defended Fisher after the game.

On the ensuing attempt, which came from the 12-yard line, Smith’s pass fell incomplete.

Smith finished the game 20 of 34 for 172 yards with a touchdown and an interception, which came on a deflected pass.

5. Chiefs get early touchdown on short field caused indirectly by

, who finished with a team-high five receptions for 77 yards.

The Chiefs went 55 yards on six plays in just 3:29 on their opening drive, which culminated with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Smith to receiver .

It was a perfect play design and gave Smith an option to run or pass before Wilson came open in the end zone.

7. finishes game with career high in tackles

It shouldn’t be a surprise that Wilson finished with a lot of tackles, as the Steelers were going to run the ball with Le’Veon Bell, and Wilson is right in the middle of that Chiefs defense.

That said, Wilson found himself around the action a lot as he finished with a career-high 15 tackles on Sunday night.

Bell finished with 30 carries for 170 yards.

8. ’s interception gave the Chiefs a chance

, step up and make a couple of key plays

When the offense really needed someone to step up and make a play, Jeremy Maclin delivered late in the third quarter.

Facing a third-and-20 after a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness by Kelce, Smith stepped up and delivered a 50-50 ball in the direction of Maclin, who somehow came away with the ball on the far sideline for a gain of exactly 20 yards.

A few plays later, hit from 48 yards and the gap was closed, 15-10.

On the Chiefs’ next drive, Smith would go in Conley’s direction on fourth-and-8, and Conley was able to find a crease and make a catch for a 12-yard gain.

It was eight plays later that Ware would find the end zone, and the Chiefs had a chance to tie with the two-point conversion.

It just didn’t happen for the Chiefs on this night.

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