Monday 16 January 2017 06:34, UK
Kicker Chris Boswell scored all 18 points as the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 18-16 on the road. Though they lacked touchdowns, the Steelers controlled a game in which the Chiefs failed to assert themselves.
In 140 characters...
The Chiefs scored two touchdowns but it wasn't enough as Pittsburgh's consistent attack brought six field goal scores.
MVP
Le'Veon Bell is enjoying his first post-season run. Last week, the running back accounted for 167 yards and two touchdowns, and he was the primary weapon once more against the Chiefs, rushing for 170 yards and setting up key field goal opportunities.
Game-changer
Kansas' inability to deal with Bell was their real problem. Pittsburgh protected the ball by handing off to Bell, and not allowing the Chiefs' dangerous secondary to make plays.
Stat of the night
6 - Chris Boswell's six field goals set a new NFL post-season record. The kicker accounted for all of Pittsburgh's points.
The game
Pittsburgh opened the scoring on their first drive, settling for a field goal after an 11-play series faltered five yards short of the goal line.
Kansas took the lead with an early touchdown. Wide receiver Albert Wilson found space, collecting a five-yard pass from Alex Smith.
Boswell added two more field goals on consecutive drives, as Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers' offence struggled to get into the end zone.
The teams traded interceptions, before Pittsburgh added another kick, this time from 45 yards, to give the visitors a 12-7 half-time lead. Wide receiver Antonio Brown topped 100 yards, as did Bell and, despite not making it to the end zone, the Steelers dominated time of possession and controlled the game.
It was more of the same in the second half, as Pittsburgh added another three-point kick, while Chiefs quarterback Smith failed to utilise his receivers, particularly Tyreek Hill, who scored 12 touchdowns in the regular season.
The home side did add a field goal of their own late in the third quarter, but it was cancelled out by Boswell's sixth of the night on the very next drive.
Down by eight points, the Chiefs remained competitive until the end, and the game looked like it might go to overtime. Spencer Ware ran in from a yard, before Kansas' two-point conversion was rule out for a holding penalty. They tried the play again, but this time Smith's pass to Jeremy Maclin was broken up by Sean Davis.
The Steelers will now face the New England Patriots in Foxboro next weekend, live on Sky Sports 1.
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