Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-6)Date: Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011Kickoff: 8:20 p.m., ETSite: Arrowhead Stadium (76,416) • Kansas City, MissouriPlaying Surface: GrassTV Coverage: NBC (locally WPXI-TV, channel 11)Announcers: Al Michaels (play-by-play)*Cris Collinsworth (color analyst) Michele Tafoya (sideline)Local Radio: Steelers Radio Network WDVE-FM (102.5)/WBGG-AM (970)Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Tunch Ilkin (color analyst) Craig Wolfley (sideline)National Radio: Westwood OneAnnouncers: Dave Sims (play-by-play) James Lofton (color analyst) Scott Kaplan (sideline)Spanish Radio: Grupo Imagen - Destrito Federal (Mexico City) *XEDA-FM 90.5Steelers notes for Chiefs game
THE COACHES
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike TomlinOverall regular-season record: 50-24 (.676)/fifth seasonRegular-season record at Pittsburgh: 50-24 (.676)/fifth seasonPlayoff Record/Years: 5-2/three years
Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Todd HaleyOverall regular-season record: 18-24 (.429)/third seasonRegular-season record at Kansas City: 18-24 (.429)/third seasonPlayoff Record/Years: 0-1/one year
SERIES HISTORYSeries History: Series began in 1970
Overall: Pittsburgh leads 17-9
At Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh leads 8-4
At Kansas City: Pittsburgh leads 9-5
Neutral Sites: n/a
Last Regular-Season Meeting: Nov. 22, 2009 (in Kansas City) Kansas City 27, Pittsburgh 24 (OT)
Postseason Series: Kansas City leads 1-0
(postseason record not included in overall series record)
Pittsburgh owns a 17-9 all-time record against the Kansas City Chiefs in the regular season, with the Steelers leading 9-5 in Kansas City...Kansas City won the most recent matchup between the two teams, 27-24 in overtime at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 22, 2009...Nine of the last 10 games in this series have been played in Kansas City, with the Chiefs holding a 5-4 record in those contests...Kansas City won the only playoff matchup between these two squads, 27-24, in overtime on Jan. 8, 1994 at Arrowhead Stadium...Pittsburgh has had a 100-yard rusher in each of their past five victories over Kansas City (Willie Parker, 2006; Jerome Bettis, 2001, 1998 and 1996; Barry Foster, 1992).
PITTSBURGH-KANSAS CITY CONNECTIONSLOCAL CONNECTIONS
• Chiefs Head Coach Todd Haleywas raised in Pittsburgh. Todd's father, Dick Haley, was the Steelers' Director of Player Personnel from 1971-1990. Todd was a ball boy for the Steelers and attended Steelers' training camps as a kid. Todd attended local Upper St. Clair High School. Todd was also the Arizona Cardinals' defensive coordinator when they faced the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII.
• Chiefs QB Tyler Palkowas born in Imperial, Pa. He attended West Allegheny High School and the University of Pittsburgh. Palko's father, Bob, was his high school football coach, and Bob is still the head coach of West Allegheny. Palko threw for 66 touchdowns as a Pitt Panther, which tied for the second-most in school history, and threw for 8,343 yards, just 254 shy of Dan Marino's school record. Palko was on both the Steelers' practice squad and active roster during the 2009 season. Palko's brother, Luke, was the Steelers' player personnel intern from 2007-2008.
• Chiefs wide receivers coach Richie Andersonplayed at Penn State University from 1989-1992.
• Chiefs offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Bill Muirwas born in Pittsburgh.
• Chiefs offensive quality control coach Nick Siriannicoached at local Indiana University of Pennsylvania from 2006-2008.
• Chiefs LB Tamba Haliplayed at Penn State University from 2002-2005.
• Chiefs WR Jonathan Baldwinwas born in Aliquippa, Pa. Baldwin attended Aliquippa High School and the University of Pittsburgh. In three seasons with the Panthers, Baldwin had 157 receptions for 2,306 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was the Chiefs' first-round selection (26th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft, becoming the first Pittsburgh wide receiver to be drafted in the first round since Larry Fitzgerald in 2004.
• Chiefs WR Steve Breastonwas born in North Braddock, Pa. Steve attended Woodland Hills High School with Steelers S RyanMundy. *Breaston lettered in both football and track and field for the Woodland Hills Wolverines.
• Steelers offensive coordinator *Bruce Arianscoached for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1989-1992.
• Steelers DE Ziggy Hoodattended the University of Missouri, which is located between St. Louis and Kansas City.
PRO CONNECTIONS
• Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlinand Chiefs offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Bill Muirwere on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' staff together from 2002-2005. Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilsonwas also on that staff from 2002-2003.
• Chiefs RB Thomas Jonesplayed for the Buccaneers in 2003. Steelers S Will Allenand Coach Muir were both with the Buccaneers from 2004-2005. Allen was also teammates with Chiefs S Sabby Piscitelliin Tampa Bay from 2007-2009 and with Chiefs TE Anthony Bechtfrom 2005-2007.
• Chiefs Head Coach Todd Haley was on the New York Jets' coaching staff from 1997-2000. Chiefs assistant head coach Maurice Carthonwas on the Jets' staff from 1997-2000. Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennelwas on the Jets' staff from 1997-1999. Chiefs offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Bill Muirwas on Jets' staff from 1997-2001. Chiefs defensive line coach Anthony Pleasantwas on the Jet's staff from 1998-1999. Chiefs tight ends coach Bernie Parmaleewas on the Jets' staff from 1999-2000. All these coaches were on the Jets staff when Steelers LB James Farriorplayed for the Jets from 1997-2001. Farrior was also teammates with Chiefs wide receivers coach Richie Andersonon the Jets from 1997-2001, Chiefs C Casey Wiegmannin 1997 and Chiefs TE Anthony Bechtfrom 2000-2002.
COLLEGE CONNECTIONS
• Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhalland Chiefs C/G Jon Asamoah were teammates at the University of Illinois in 2007.
• Steelers DE Al Woodswas teammates with Chiefs DE Tyson Jacksonfrom 2006-2008 at LSU. Woods was also teammates at LSU with Chiefs DE Glenn Dorseyfrom 2006-2007 and WR Dwayne Bowein 2006.
• Steelers LB LaMarr Woodleyand S Ryan Mundywere teammates with Chiefs WR Steve Breastonat the University of Michigan from 2003-2006.
• Steelers WR Mike Wallaceand Chiefs S Kendrick Lewisand RB Dexter McClusterwere teammates at the University of Mississippi from 2006-2008.
• Steelers DE Cameron Heywardand Chiefs S/CB Donald Washingtonwere teammates at Ohio State University from 2007-2008.
• Steelers QB Dennis Dixonand Chiefs DL Brandon Blairwere teammates at the University of Oregon in 2007.
• Steelers CB Keenan Lewisand Chiefs S Sabby Piscitelliwere teammates at Oregon State University from 2004-2006.
• Steelers P Jeremy Kapinosand Chiefs LB Tamba Haliwere teammates at Penn State University from 2003-2005.
• Steelers OT Jamon Meredithand Chiefs K Ryan Succopwere teammates at the University of South Carolina from 2005-2008. Steelers TE Weslye Saunderswas also teammates with Meredith and Succop from 2007-2008.
• Steelers S Troy Polamaluand Chiefs QB Matt Cassellwere teammates at the University of Southern California from 2001-2002.
• Steelers OT Jonathan Scottand Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson were teammates at the University of Texas from 2002-2004.
• Steelers LB James Farriorand Chiefs RB Thomas Joneswere teammates at the University of Virginia in 1996.
• Steelers LB Jason Worildsand Chiefs CB Brandon Flowers were teammates at Virginia Tech from 2006-2007.
• Chiefs linebackers coach Gary Gibbswas on the LSU staff in 2001 when Steelers S Ryan Clarkwas a senior for the Tigers.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
PITTSBURGH TEAM NOTES• The Steelers look to improve to 330-208 all-time against AFC opponents.
• Pittsburgh looks to earn its eighth victory in the last 10 games.
• Pittsburgh's defense will look to hold their 10th straight opponent to 23 points or less (0, 20, 17, 17, 13, 20, 17, 23, 17).
•Looking for first win in Kansas City since 10/14/01 (20-17).
• The Steelers look to improve to 18-9 against Kansas City, including 10-5 at Arrowhead Stadium, during the regular season.
PITTSBURGH INDIVIDUAL NOTES
Head Coach Mike Tomlin
•Looks to improve to 2-1 in primetime games this season and 17-6 for his career. A win would make Tomlin 9-3 on the road in primetime games. Below is a breakdown of Tomlin's record in primetime games.
•Looks to improve to 1-1 against Kansas City.
•A win will make Tomlin 4-1 in games following the bye week.
•Will look to improve to 51-24 overall and 23-15 on the road during the regular season.
QB Ben Roethlisberger•Will look to improve to 21-8 as a starter in primetime games*during the regular season, including 8-5 in Sunday night games (2-1 this season). A win will improve his record to 11-6 in primetime games on the road. *• *Looks to throw for at least 300 yards for the fourth time in the last five games. Would mark the 20th 300-yard passing performance of Roethlisberger's career and the fifth of this season, tying a career- high for 300 passing games during the regular season (five in 2009).• Will look to record his 19th consecutive game with at least 200 yards passing.
*• *Looks for fourth 100.0 rating of the season and 45th of his career.
• Will look to improve to 77-32 as a starter.
*WR Hines Ward
• Needs 30 receiving yards to reach 12,000 for his career. He would be 19th player in NFL history to reach the mark and the first in Steelers' history. Ward will become the third player in NFL history to reach 12,000 career receiving yards and win multiple Super Bowls (Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Art Monk).
TE Heath Miller
• Is 138 yards shy of passing Santonio Holmes (3,835) for ninth place on the Steelers all-time receiving yards list.
• Needs five receptions to tie Elbie Nickel (329) for the most receptions by a tight end in Steelers history.
WR Mike Wallace• With 100 yards receiving will record his 13th 100-yard receiving*game of his career and the fifth of this season.• If Wallace records at least 100 yards receiving it will be his eighth 100 yard receiving game in the last 14 regular-season games.WR Antonio Brown• Will look to record his third 100 yard receiving in the past five games. Over the last four games Brown has totaled 364 receiving yards on 26 receptions with one touchdown.RB Rashard Mendenhall• Needs one rushing touchdown to pass John Henry Johnson and Barry Foster (26) for the fifth-most in team history.• Is 160 yards away from passing Merril Hoge (3,115) for the 11th most career rushing yards in franchise history.
*SS Troy Polamalu• After returning a fumble 16 yards for the second fumble returned* for a touchdown of his career vs. Indianapolis (Week 3), is one away from tying Jason Gildon (3) for the most fumbles returned for touchdowns in franchise history.• Needs one touchdown to move into a tie for the second-most defensive touchdowns in Steelers history:• One interception shy of tying Jack Lambert (28) for the ninth-most *in Steelers' history.
• Needs one interception return for a touchdown to tie Carnell Lake, Dwayne Woodruff, Deshea Townsend and Tony Campagno (3) for the third-most in franchise history.
• Needs 41 yards to surpass Chad Scott (368) for the ninth-most interception return yards in a career in Steelers' history.
LB James Harrison
• After registering three sacks vs. Baltimore (11/6/11) looks to become the third Pittsburgh Steelers' player to register at least three sacks multiple times in one season since 1982 (Chad Brown, 1996, 2; Mike Merriweather, 1984, 3).
• Looks to record fifth career regular-season game with at least three sacks to tie Joey Porter (5) for the most 3 sack games during the regular season by a Steelers' player
since 1982.
LB LaMarr Woodley
• Needs one sack to reach 10.0 on the season, becoming the first Steelers player, since sacks became an official statistic in 1982, to record four consecutive years with at least 10.0 sacks (2010 -10.0, 2009 - 13.5, 2008 - 11.5).
K Shaun Suisham
• Needs five points to reach 500 for his career.
