The Steelers head to Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday in search of their third straight win, and their fifth victory in sixth games. Third-string quarterback Landry Jones is expected to get his first start,NBA Jerseys China, and a plethora of other backups are also expected to play significant minutes.
REPLACING CHARLES: Charcandrick West ran for 33 yards, and the Chiefs for 57 yards total, in their first game without Charles. They'll need to do better against the league's seventh-best run defense,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, which is allowing less than 100 yards rushing per game.
Even more guys are missing on the defensive side.
"We focus not on the guys that aren't playing, but the guys that are," Tomlin said. "We won't spend a bunch of time lamenting about the loss of Kelvin Beachum or whether or not Ben or Mike are available. We are going to spend our time talking about putting (offensive tackle) Alejandro Villanueva in a position to perform, or how to accentuate the talents of Landry."
TURNOVER TALES: The Steelers are tied for first in turnover differential at plus-6, with nine takeaways this season. The Chiefs are minus-2 in that category.
COLLEGE BUDDIES: Jones starred at Oklahoma with Chiefs offensive tackle Donald Stephenson, cornerback Jamell Flemming and long snapper James Winchester. Brown played for Central Michigan at the same time as Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher and linebacker Frank Zombo.
The Steelers (4-2) have so far been able to do just that.
It was precisely the kind of gritty performance that has become a Steelers hallmark.
Charles had surgery Tuesday to repair the ACL in his right knee,Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale, leaving the Chiefs without their biggest playmaker for the rest of the season. Without him they were nearly shut out in Minnesota a week ago — they had 51 yards of first-half offense.
As the Steelers and Chiefs personify "next man up," here are some other keys to remember:
The Chiefs (1-5) are trying to do the same thing. So far, they've had less success.
"That was really exciting. Not only for us but for Landry," Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown said. "He showed amazing growth, amazing poise."
Meanwhile, the Chiefs are trying to end a maddening five-game skid lowlighted by last-minute losses to Denver and Chicago, and a horrid offensive performance last week in Minnesota.
"We are extremely fragile. We acknowledge that," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "We aren't looking for comfort. We aren't looking to make excuses. Just in the state of where we are, we are going ... to make necessary adjustments to put ourselves in position to win."
MORE INJURY WOES: Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt is dealing with a knee injury and may be unable to go. "We'll leave the light on for Stephon," Tomlin said. "If he is able to protect himself and be productive, we'll give him an opportunity."
Making matters worse, the Chiefs could be without leading wide receiver Jeremy Maclin this week due to a concussion. On defense,Cheap NFL Jerseys, linebackers Tamba Hali,Cheap Jerseys, Justin Wilson and Ramik Wilson are all banged-up, and defensive tackle Mike DeVito is dealing with a concussion.
The big difference? Pittsburgh has pressed on. Kansas City has shriveled up.
UNFRIENDLY ARROWHEAD: The Chiefs have lost both of their home games, the first on a fumble returned for a touchdown in the closing minutes against Denver, and the second on a last-minute touchdown reception by Matt Forte of the Bears. "It's a hostile environment," Tomlin said, "(but) we will have a great opportunity to be ready to deal with that."
Especially considering everybody he was missing. Offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum is out for the season with a knee injury, center Maurkice Pouncey has a broken leg, wide receiver Martavis Bryant has been dealing with a knee injury, offensive tackle Mike Adams an ailing back.
"It's tough, obviously, because of the type of player he is,Cheap Jerseys From China," Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said. "He's a guy the defense is always worried about, run and pass. He's tough and he's tough to replace. We have to make some changes, guys have got to step up and we got to go."
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Steelers and Chiefs have both dealt with a crippling number of injuries this season, whether it was Pittsburgh losing quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Michael Vick or Kansas City losing Jamaal Charles for the season.
Roethlisberger has been practicing b
