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Few NFL defensive coordinators get as a lot respect from opposing groups as Kansas Metropolis’s Steve Spagnuolo.
For good cause. Spagnuolo has now coordinated the defenses for 4 Tremendous Bowl winners, three with the Chiefs and one with the New York Giants. And this season, the Chiefs (14-1) have relied extra on their protection to win video games than maybe at another time within the Patrick Mahomes-Andy Reid period, as Kansas Metropolis is holding opponents to 18.5 factors per sport, third-fewest within the NFL.
However the Steelers might need one thing of an ace up their sleeve this season with regards to going through the Chiefs. Quarterback Russell Wilson has squared off in opposition to a Spagnuolo-led protection 5 earlier instances in his profession. And whereas Wilson’s document is simply 2-3 in these video games, he is accomplished 101 of 154 passes for 1,012 yards with 11 landing passes and 4 interceptions, posting a passer ranking of 97.1.
Wilson understanding Spagnuolo’s unique strain seems could possibly be the important thing to the Steelers (10-5) beating the Chiefs when the 2 meet Wednesday at Acrisure Stadium in a Christmas Day sport.
“I feel ‘Spags’ is among the all-time nice defensive coordinators,” mentioned Wilson. “You consider the issues he is been capable of do. I’ve a lot regard for him. I’ve gone in opposition to him lots (over) the years. And I keep in mind even once I was in Seattle and went in opposition to him, we performed the Chiefs and all that. He simply does a very good job of blending it up and difficult the protection to blitz us lots and to do various things.
“So, it makes it actually difficult for us as an offense, and we have to do our job.”
The Steelers have to win their last two video games to clinch the AFC North title and assure themselves a further house sport within the playoffs.
In addition they wish to wash away the stench of back-to-back losses on the highway the previous two video games in Philadelphia and Baltimore.
Going through Spagnuolo’s protection will not make that a simple activity. However getting high extensive receiver George Pickens again from damage would assist that immensely.
Pickens has missed the Steelers’ previous three video games with a hamstring damage, however was a full participant in observe on Monday, the staff’s last full observe earlier than Wednesday’s sport.
“Clearly he is been our main wideout; been one the higher wideouts across the league the entire season,” mentioned offensive coordinator Arthur Smith of Pickens, who leads the Steelers with 55 receptions for 850 yards. “That definitely helps. You need your greatest guys on the market in the event that they’re obtainable, and so if he can go, it might be good to have him again.”
Past merely having one of many NFL’s high deep threats again, having Pickens on the sector in opposition to the Chiefs may vastly have an effect on how a lot blitzing Spagnuolo calls. The Chiefs blitz on practically 31 % of performs, second solely to the Vikings this season.
Kansas Metropolis will put a bunch of gamers on the line of scrimmage and make the quarterback determined who’s coming and who just isn’t. However having Pickens, among the best contested-catch gamers within the league, obtainable may dissuade the Chiefs from attacking fairly as a lot in that style.
“George is a particular participant, man. He is been particular for us all 12 months,” Wilson mentioned. “In my view, he is among the best receivers within the Nationwide Soccer League, undoubtedly. The issues that he can do with the soccer, his catching radius is outstanding. So I feel the very best factor that he brings is he strikes concern within the protection.”
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Wilson additionally has been excellent when blitzed this season. Per Professional Soccer Focus, he has a 113.3 passer ranking when blitzed this season, whereas his ranking when not blitzed is 97.4.
That could possibly be essential for the Steelers on this sport, simply as a lot as Wilson’s familiarity with enjoying in opposition to the Chiefs in every of the earlier two seasons whereas with the Denver Broncos.
Included in these was a 24-9 win over the Chiefs wherein Wilson threw three landing passes and no interceptions.
With a brief week for each groups earlier than enjoying, Wilson’s data of what Spagnuolo likes to do and the way he tries to disguise his seems could possibly be essential.
“I feel you positively examine what you have carried out,” Wilson mentioned. “We beat them final 12 months. I feel that I used to be lucky to throw just a few touchdowns on them, they usually’re a very good protection. They do not quit a lot. They do a very good job. They’re one of many high defenses within the Nationwide Soccer League, however we have to be able to play our greatest sport, and we respect who they’re and what they’ve carried out. They clearly received two Tremendous Bowls within the final couple years.”
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