Chiefs Make It Special--Beat Steelers, 24-19, to Advance to Playoffs

PITTSBURGH —  The Kansas City Chiefs, overcoming an offense that generated only three points, scored three first-half touchdowns on special teams plays and beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-19, Sunday to advance to the NFL playoffs for the first time since 1971.

Deron Cherry fell on a blocked punt in the end zone to account for a first-quarter touchdown and Boyce Green and Lloyd Burruss scored in the second quarter on a 97-yard kickoff return and a 78-yard return of a blocked field goal, respectively.

The Chiefs’ offense, which produced only a 47-yard Nick Lowery field goal, was outgained 515 yards to 171 and generated only eight first downs to the Steelers’ 28. But the Chiefs, who led 24-6 at halftime, held on to win despite failing to score in the second half.

“We did it the same way we have done it all year, with special teams and defense,” said Chief Coach John Mackovic. “Our offense wasn’t that good. But I feel great because people didn’t think we could make it to the playoffs.”

With Kansas City leading, 17-6, in the final minute of the first half, the Steelers had a first and goal at the Chiefs’ three. Tight end Preston Gothard and running back Rich Erenberg dropped consecutive passes in the end zone before Earnest Jackson was stopped for a yard gain by Dino Hackett.

Nose tackle Bill Maas then blocked Gary Anderson’s 19-yard field goal attempt, and Burruss scooped up the ball at the Chiefs’ 22 and raced into the end zone untouched for his fourth touchdown of the season. The Pro Bowl safety has three interception return scores.

The Chiefs are 10-6, only their second winning record in 13 seasons. The Steelers finished 6-10, their second consecutive losing season.

“If someone had told me we’d have 515 yards to their 171, I’d have said we were a shoo-in,” said Steeler Coach Chuck Noll. “I think this shows the importance of getting the job done on special teams plays. We gave up three touchdowns and that did us in.”

The Steelers lost even though quarterback Mark Malone completed 22 of 43 passes for 351 yards and ran 9 yards for a third-quarter touchdown.

Kansas City will play Cincinnati or the New York Jets in the AFC wild-card game. If New England beats the Miami Dolphins tonight, the Patriots will win the AFC East title and the Chiefs will play the Jets at East Rutherford, N.J., next Sunday.

If Miami wins, New England will be eliminated and the Jets will be the AFC East champions. Kansas City then would play host to Cincinnati in the wild-card game.

The Steelers, concluding their worst season since they finished 5-9 in 1970, had a chance to win when they marched to a first down at the Chiefs’ 33 with 2:30 to play in the game. But Malone’s off-balance pass was intercepted by cornerback Albert Lewis.