Sunday’s wildcard finale took place at cold and raucous Arrowhead Stadium as the Kansas City Chiefs easily defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 42-21 to advance to the AFC Divisional round. There, they’ll face the Buffalo Bills, who were also big winners over the rival Patriots (47-17) in frigid Buffalo.
VICTORY FEELS SWEET 🙌 pic.twitter.com/qKwnPgF5e2
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 17, 2022
Patrick Mahomes continued his mastery of the Steelers in his career, where he’s now (3-0) having gone (76-97) for 989 yards, 14 touchdowns and just one interception, while leading the Chiefs to scoring outputs of 42, 36 and 42.
MAHOMES BOMB TO CHEETAH!!!!
📺: #PITvsKC on NBC pic.twitter.com/Ln1a14eTdm
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 17, 2022
Mahomes’ first game against the Steelers came in the 2018 road opener, where he torched them at Heinz Field for six touchdown passes. He had only five incompletions that fateful day in September on the banks of Allegheny and Monongahela rivers.
Following that game Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had this to say via his postgame presser:
“He’s a talented guy, point blank. He has all the physical talent, arm strength and accuracy. Obviously he’s new to playing, but not new to Kansas City. He’s been there under the tutelage of those veteran guys and it’s showed. He’s performed well and he’s a got a strong supporting cast around him.”
Mahomes to Conley. Do 15-yard TDs look any easier? pic.twitter.com/7jA7ZOPkZ4
— TOM MARTIN (@TwoCirclesTom) September 16, 2018
Mahomes Shines On Playoff Stage Again: His Ability To Rise In The Biggest Moments Is Rare
3rd & 20? NBD.
📺: #PITvsKC on NBC pic.twitter.com/zkEC0UQE9Z
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 17, 2022
Mahomes has been dynamite since he took over the reigns in KC to begin the 2018 season. But the way the 2020-21 season ended with the (31-9) loss in Super Bowl 55 to the Buccaneers, Mahomes and the Chiefs needed this.
In Sunday night’s win, after a very slow start, “Mr Ketchup On Everything” shred the Steelers defense as he’d done the two previous two matchups. He dissected and picked the Steelers secondary apart all night to the tune of 30-for-39 for 404 and five touchdowns. In his young career, Mahomes is 7-2 in the postseason. Mahomes’ overall career record is (57-15).
This Is The End For Ben Roethlisberger: Great Career But It’s Time
Big Ben has been a great QB. He’s won two Super Bowls, while playing in three Super Sunday games. He’s sure to be a first ballot Hall of Famer, but the end is here. He’s shown the grit and toughness associated with the “Steel City.” He was the perfect QB for a city built on hard work and determination. Not many knew much about him when he was drafted from Miami (OH) University. If you weren’t familiar with watching MAC conference football games on Tuesday and Wednesday nights on ESPN, you probably had no idea whom the Steelers were drafting in the 2004 NFL Draft.
Now he’ll go into the sunset fifth all-time in wins (165) and passing yards with (64,088) and eighth all-time with 418 touchdown passes.
It’s safe to say the Steelers made a wise choice in 2004, while the archrival Browns passed on the big gunslinger. Ben went (26-3-1) in his career versus the team who snubbed him in 2004.
There’s no question drafting Ben Roethlisberger was one of the best decisions the #Steelers ever made, but where does it rank among the best draft picks in franchise history? https://t.co/9Ues1Djo9J pic.twitter.com/9rLEMNcmVQ
— Steelers Now (@PghSteelersNow) April 24, 2021
It wasn’t always pretty how Ben got the job done, but he was effective and durable. His impending retirement will send the Steelers and Mike Tomlin into unfamiliar territory, as transition is upon “The Burgh.”
Ben sounded like a guy who’s ready to walk off into the sunset.
“It didn’t end the way we wanted. But it’s a blessing to be able to play this game. I try to tell you guys how lucky we are that we get to play football for a living. We need to count our blessings and understand how lucky we are.”
Ben Roethlisberger addresses the media: pic.twitter.com/l3eeMO4MQY
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 17, 2022
Patrick Mahomes is the first QB in NFL history to have 400+ pass yards and 5+ pass TD in a playoff win
The only other QB with 400+ pass yards and 5+ pass TD in a playoff game?
Ben Roethlisberger in his 2017 Divisional Round loss vs JAX
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) January 17, 2022
The Patrick Mahomes Era is officially here and the Ben Roethlisbergers, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Bradys still get shine, but are just keeping the top spot warm for the 26-year-old who just keeps winning and performing — so much so, that we all took his greatness for granted this season.
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