Despite Arrowhead Stadium being one of the best home fields in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs don't have any advantage there against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers head into Monday night's game with a 7-0 record in Arrowhead Stadium in regular season games.The only time the Chiefs have beaten Pittsburgh there was a wild-card playoff game in 1993 - and they needed overtime to do it. The Chiefs have won better than 80 percent of their home games since 1992, second in the NFL only to Green Bay.
The Steelers have proven so far this season that pulling out second-half wins from them is next to impossible. Pittsburgh has rallied from 10 points or more behind in its last four games, including an overtime win against Jacksonville last week.
"It's the nature of their team," Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer said. "I don't think they care where they play."
Schottenheimer was probably only half joking when he said, "We'll have two game plans on defense, one for the first half and one for the second half."
The Chiefs face an unpredictable quarterback in Kordell Stewart, a bruising running back in Jerome Bettis, who could reach 1,000 yards earlier than any Steelers running back ever, and a legitimate wide receiver threat in Yancy Thigpen.
"If we can't run the ball against them, then we've got a problem," Schottenheimer said. "Offensively, the quarterback is struggling a little bit. But he's got a perfect attitude mentally to be a winning quarterback. Bettis has size and power. He doesn't need a whole lot of room to get through a crease because he's so powerful. You've got to get him before he gets rolling."
Bettis fumbled at a critical time against Jacksonville, but scored the game-winning touchdown on a shovel pass from Stewart, who has a 51.9 percent rating for the first half and a 61.5 percent rating for the second half.
"You obviously feel confident once you've done something (rallied)," said Bettis, who needs 80 yards for 1,000 and would be the first Steelers back to reach that figure in nine games. "It's obviously an added advantage, but we still have to be careful and prepare for them.
"I think they're a lot like we are," Bettis added. "They do things consistently and they do what they have to do to win. Their defense has been a real solid area for them as it has for us."
Injuries on defense have forced the Steelers to move Carnell Lake from his natural safety position to cornerback. Coach Bill Cowher made the same move in Pittsburgh's 1995 Super Bowl season, and the Steelers are 12-2 in games that Lake has played at cornerback.
"I can't explain it," safety Darren Perry said. "If there was an explanation, I'm sure we would have put him there at the beginning of the season. It's hard to pinpoint."
The Chiefs defense has Derrick Thomas back at full strength and taking advantage of a new scheme that emphasizes his pass rushing ability. Kansas City has added Wayne Simmons to an already strong group of linebackers. The youthful secondary has helped the Chiefs lead the NFL with 12 interceptions.
Cornerback Dale Carter has a sore shoulder and was held out of the second half of last week's win over St. Louis, but was expected to be ready because of the extra day between games this week.
Kansas City quarterback Elvis Grbac admits he has been inconsistent, but seems to be constantly improving. Andre Rison has proven to be every bit of the big-play receiver the Chiefs were looking for.
A trio of tight ends, led by Ted Popson, has 44 catches, more than the Chiefs got from that position all last season.
The Chiefs still struggle with their rushing game, ranking 12th in the NFL. Greg Hill has a 38-yard run for his longest carry, but is averaging 3.5 yards a carry. Kimble Anders and Donnell Bennett are getting more chances at fullback.
"We're going to try and control them in the first half," Schottenheimer said. "We have to be able to run because we can't let them get the time of possession differential that they get against most teams."