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The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to travel west for their Wild Card matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Ben Roethlisberger and company will take on Patrick Mahomes and his squad in what will likely be Big Ben's final NFL game.
If the Steelers upset the Chiefs, they will take on the Tennessee Titans, who earned a bye week as the AFC champions. If the Chiefs win, they will face the higher remaining seed from the Las Vegas Raiders-Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots-Buffalo Bills Wild Card games.
For more insight on the Steelers' Wild Card playoff matchup against the Chiefs, listen below:
Let's take a look at my four boldest predictions for the AFC playoff game.
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Steelers Wild Card Predictions
4. Big run game
Things aren't looking too good for the Steelers this weekend, but their best chance at success is running the football. Why? Those are the guys who want to be out there. Ahead of the game, Roethlisberger said quite bluntly that his team had no chance in the Wild Card matchup, and they should just go and “have fun.”
"We don’t have a chance, so let’s just go in and have fun."
—Ben Roethlisberger on the Steelers' playoff game vs. the Chiefs
(via @steelers) pic.twitter.com/ajZJkG0PSk
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 12, 2022
There's no doubt that head coach Mike Tomlin was less than thrilled that his veteran quarterback outed the team like that, so expect fewer play calls exhibiting Roethlisberger's talents. There are plenty of young players in Pittsburgh that are willing to do whatever they can to further their postseason push.
3. Big game for Najee Harris
Speaking of young talents on the Steelers, Najee Harris is a prime candidate for increased rushing attempts on Sunday. Expect the rookie running back to have well over 100 rushing yards and at least 25 attempts in the Wild Card game against the Chiefs. He has earned it not only for his contributions to the team throughout the season, but for his most recent act of leadership.
Harris spoke up and wasn't afraid to publicly call out his quarterback after Roethlisberger bashed the team's postseason capabilities. This is extremely difficult for a young player to do, especially a rookie speaking up against a veteran legend.
2. Big Ben gets the boot
Roethlisberger doesn't expect anything from his team in the postseason, which is an odd way for the leader of a professional team to go into the most important game of the year.
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Regardless, he is starting for the Steelers on Sunday, but will he give it his all? Roethlisberger made it very clear that he doesn't think his team can beat the Chiefs, but at the same time, this is probably the last game of his career.
Shouldn't he at least want to win?
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like it. If Big Ben's pessimism gets to his head mid-game, Tomlin could easily take matters into his own hands. Don't be surprised if you see backup quarterback Mason Rudolph on the field at some point on Sunday.
1. Big loss
Despite the best efforts of most of the team, it won't be enough for the Steelers to advance in the tournament. Expect the Chiefs to pull off the win on Sunday, and make sure you see Roethlisberger's final game in the NFL. Finally, my boldest prediction yet: 37-13 in favor of Kansas City.
