With his signature moonball throws and a sharp focus, Russell Wilson now has a dynamic new target in Mike Williams. Standing 6-foot-4 and boasting three 1,000-yard seasons, Williams is known for stretching the field with his vertical attacks—a perfect fit for Wilson’s deep-ball prowess. As Williams becomes more comfortable with the playbook, builds chemistry with Wilson, and gains the trust of the coaching staff, his deep-threat skills are set to shine. His presence could bring much-needed balance to an offense that has often leaned heavily on George Pickens.
This progress will be crucial as the Steelers face a tough second-half schedule. Before their Week 9 bye, Pittsburgh’s most challenging offensive matchup was against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1. Now, they’re set to encounter some of the league’s highest-scoring offenses, including the Ravens, Commanders, Bengals, Chiefs, and Eagles—all ranking in the top eight by Week 10. Only the struggling Browns provide a slight break.
“We knew we’d have to put up points against an offense like [the Commanders],” Pickens noted.
That urgency won’t let up anytime soon. With the high-powered Ravens coming up in Week 11, followed by teams led by Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, and Patrick Mahomes, the Steelers are likely to find themselves in high-stakes shootouts or trying to overcome two-score deficits.
Since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, the Steelers often relied on defensive stars like T.J. Watt to save the day in tight games. But now, with an offense that’s coming alive, showcasing its playmakers, and performing in critical moments, the Steelers have multiple ways to win. They’re no longer simply surviving on defense—they’re showing they can win because of their offense, marking a new chapter for the team.
It’s Leo’s locker room today 😤 pic.twitter.com/1xNEzFIOFL
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 10, 2024
Linebacker Leo Chenal was on the field for the game’s second-to-last play, a high-stakes moment as Broncos head coach Sean Payton had his offense position the ball on the right hash — kicker Wil Lutz’s preferred angle. With no timeouts left, the Chiefs’ defense briefly considered letting the Broncos score a quick touchdown to allow Patrick Mahomes one last shot at a game-winning Hail Mary.
“When they were moving downfield and got past the 50, you feel this weight, like a heaviness,” Chenal said. “I was literally praying, saying, ‘Please, Jesus, we need something here.’ I really believe my prayer was answered.”
The odds were against them; NFL kickers make 92 percent of 35-yard field goals over the last five seasons. But during Denver’s final timeout, Chenal told a few teammates — Mike Pennel, George Karlaftis, and Jack Cochrane — that he was going to block the kick.
“Somehow, he just finds a way to make a play, whether on defense or special teams,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said of Chenal. “He did an outstanding job. We work on that block all the time, though it rarely goes quite like that.”
“I haven’t been around a lot of those walk-off blocks.”
NOT IN OUR HOUSE 👆 pic.twitter.com/CnXgKHl3jU
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 10, 2024
The last time the Chiefs (9-0) blocked a kick was during Super Bowl LVIII. Early in the fourth quarter, Chenal blocked an extra-point attempt by Jake Moody following the San Francisco 49ers’ only touchdown of the second half. That crucial play helped the Chiefs push the game into overtime, eventually setting up their winning touchdown and securing the NFL’s first repeat championship in two decades.
During the offseason, when Chenal rewatched the play, he realized he could improve his technique. He found that by adjusting his hand positioning and stiffening them more than usual, he could better block the ball in similar situations.
“I want to credit (defensive end) Mike Danna on that one,” Chenal said of Danna in the Super Bowl. “I got credit for the block. It went through my hand, but he’s the one that really stopped the ball.”
Every. Point. Matters.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) February 20, 2024
This huge block set us up to win the Super Bowl in OT 😤 pic.twitter.com/jNwcPSf9hW
Against the Broncos (5-5), Chenal lined up in the same spot on the Chiefs’ field-goal block unit. Two spots to his right was safety Justin Reid, known for having the quickest first step in the unit. Last season, Reid used his speed to block a 38-yard field goal attempt by Wil Lutz in the third quarter of a game the Broncos won, capitalizing on the Chiefs’ season-high five turnovers.
“You have to get a good jump and be willing to lay out,” said Justin Reid. “We had a good feel for when the snap was coming. I knew they would try a double snap because of the block last year. It helps when everyone gets off the line at the same time.”
Working off Reid’s speed, special teams coordinator Dave Toub called for the middle of the block unit — including Chenal, George Karlaftis, Mike Pennel, and Tershawn Wharton — to win the line of scrimmage with power. The idea was to create an opening for one of the players to leap into Lutz’s kicking path.
“As the game goes on, it’s more of a feel thing,” Chenal explained. “Are they blocking high? Are they helping our best get-off guy, J-Reid? A lot of times, they’ll focus on the perimeter, leaving openings in the middle. It’s a team effort. They can’t just lean on one guy.”
Chenal dominated Broncos center Alex Forsyth, overpowering him just before Lutz attempted the kick.
At the 2022 NFL combine, Chenal earned an almost perfect Relative Athletic Score of 9.99 out of 10, ranking third out of 2,410 linebackers from 1987 to 2022. His vertical jump of 40.5 inches and 225-pound bench press for 34 reps were both elite marks for a linebacker.
Using his rare athleticism, Chenal blocked Lutz’s kick, with the bottom of his left palm making contact with the ball.
“We all got through,” Karlaftis said. “If Leo doesn’t block it, one of us would have. It was awesome. I was looking for the ball. It was live, and while everyone else was celebrating, I was just making sure the play was over.”
The Chiefs, now undefeated, have won nine consecutive games in which they trailed in the second half, including the postseason. No other team in NFL history has won even eight consecutive games in that situation, according to Stats Perform.
As cornerback Joshua Williams recovered the ball near the Broncos’ sideline, most of the Chiefs’ sideline players jumped up and sprinted onto the field in celebration.
“I was already frustrated because I gave up the first down (to receiver Courtland Sutton) on the third down,” cornerback Trent McDuffie said. “I was watching. I had no words, really. Some things are just meant to be.”
Patrick Mahomes goes NUTS after the blocked FG pic.twitter.com/HA5Ce0fiTc
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 10, 2024
For the first time this season, Mahomes struggled in the fourth quarter. The Broncos sacked him four times, a result of the Chiefs needing to split snaps at left tackle between Wanya Morris and rookie Kingsley Suamataia after Morris suffered a right knee injury early in the second quarter. Mahomes also missed two prime opportunities for touchdowns.
Early in the fourth, Suamataia and the offensive line provided Mahomes with a clean pocket while rookie receiver Xavier Worthy found himself open against man coverage from cornerback Riley Moss, setting up a potential 51-yard touchdown. However, Mahomes overthrew Worthy, sending the deep pass out of bounds. Later, on the Chiefs’ final drive, Mahomes missed a wide-open Travis Kelce in the back of the end zone, forcing them to settle for a short field goal — the play that ultimately provided the winning score.
“More than anything, I was just sick about that last drive because I missed that touchdown throw,” Mahomes said. “That would’ve (given) us a chance to make it to where they had to score a touchdown. I put our defense in a bad situation.”
When Mahomes realized the Chiefs won, he lifted his arms, sprinted on the field with his tongue out and pumped his fist while jumping, similar to an elementary student celebrating after the final bell of the spring semester.
“It was just joy,” Mahomes said. “It’s awesome, man, and you live for these moments. When you grow up playing football, you live for the walk-off whatever-it-is. It’s special when you’ve been with these guys for so long, you’ve built this chemistry with them and guys get to make that play.
“It’s something that I’m sure Leo will have for the rest of his life.”
Once Andy Reid finished his postgame remarks, he let Chenal break down the team’s final huddle, a first-time moment in his career. A few minutes later, before his postgame shower, Chenal asked Kelce for something he’s wanted since his rookie season.
Just before Chenal left the locker room, Kelce, still shirtless, gave his teammate the memento he wanted: his red, game-worn No. 87 jersey with his signature and a short message to Chenal written in black Sharpie on the white No. 7.
“I’ve been waiting for the right time,” Chenal said, smiling. “I felt I earned it.”
(Photo: Sam Lutz / Kansas City Chiefs via AP)
