Kansas City Chiefs Stun Pittsburgh in OT, Steelers Lose Roethlisberger

NFL News - November 22nd, 2009 - Written by John

It started the worst way imaginable, and it only got worse for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Kansas City's Jamaal Charles ignited Arrowhead Stadium with a 97-yard touchdown on the opening kickoff, the Kansas City Chiefs' defense bent but didn't break and Ryan Succop hit the game-winning field goal in a stunning 27-24 upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime.

It gave head coach his first big win in Kansas City after boasting only victories over Washington and Oakland. They had come close, forcing overtime against the Dallas Cowboys, and staying close to the Baltimore Ravens in the season-opener. But never before had it finished the way it started. Not until Week 11 anyway. The Chiefs knocked Ben Roethlisberger out of the game at the end of regulation, then stymied Charlie Batch on Pittsburgh's initial drive to start the extra period.

Newly acquired Chris Chambers then caught a 61-yard pass that took his team down to the five, and Succop poked in the chip shot to send the crowd into a frenzy.

Though he didn't get the game-winning score, Chambers will certainly be considered the hero, catching four passes for 119 yards. But none were bigger than his catch in overtime, in which he ran a slant over the middle, in which he took another 50 yards down to Pittsburgh's five.

Cassel finished the day with 248 yards and two scores. Charles had a rushing touchdown to go along with his special teams score, tying the game at 24-all when he caught a two-yard toss from Cassel.

Roethlisberger was picked off twice by defensive end Andy Studebaker and was pulled from the game at the end of regulation due to an injury. To that point, he had 398 yards and three touchdowns and it seemed probable that the defending champs would have been able to get it into field goal range. But with him on the sideline, Batch was forced into the game to try and rescue his team from defeat. He only completed one of two passes and couldn't get Jeff Reed into comfortable kicking distance.

On the Chiefs' ensuing drive, Charles rushed for 10 yards to put the ball at the 30 . Matt Cassel was nearly picked off on a long ball during the next play, but Ike Taylor couldn't complete the catch as he came down. The next play changed it all.

To discuss this and other NFL related stories be sure to check out our new forum at:
https://www.usaplayers.com/forums