Final2021 Week 16

Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Kansas City Chiefs, Week 16 2021

Pittsburgh Steelers

Away

10

Kansas City Chiefs

HomeWon

36

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Steelers003710
Chiefs1497636

PIT 10KC 36 Final

  • Passing leader

    Patrick Mahomes

    KC · QB

    22.3PPR pts

    23/30, 258 YDS, 3 TD

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Byron Pringle

    KC · WR

    25.5PPR pts

    6 REC, 75 YDS, 2 TD

  • Steelers leader

    Najee Harris

    PIT · RB

    16.0PPR pts

    19 ATT, 93 YDS, 5 REC, 17 REC YDS

  • Defensive playmaker

    Charvarius Ward

    KC

    1 INT, 3 TKL

Chiefs 36, Steelers 10: Kansas City leads from start to finish

Kansas City led 23–0 at halftime and outscored Pittsburgh 13–10 after the break to win 36–10. The Chiefs finished with a 381–303 edge in total offense and averaged 5.7 yards per play.

Pittsburgh didn't get on the board until the third quarter.

The Steelers went 5-for-13 on third down and committed three turnovers, while the Chiefs kept the ball for 34:42 and finished without a giveaway.

Key advantages

  • +1.4 yards/play KC 5.7 · PIT 4.3
  • +3 turnover margin KC 0 turnovers
  • +78 total yards KC 381 · PIT 303

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Chiefs Won

Kansas City won the efficiency, turnover, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Steelers vs Chiefs
SteelersStatChiefs
4.3Yards per play5.7
3Turnovers0
303Total yards381
Other team stats
70Plays67
38%Third-down conversion36%
25:18Time of possession34:42

Scoring Summary

The Chiefs scored four touchdowns and three field goals; the Steelers scored one touchdown and one field goal.

Scoring plays, Steelers vs Chiefs
TimeTeamPlayPITKC
1st quarter
4:07KCClyde Edwards-Helaire 1-yard TD run Takes leadElliott Fry XP07
1:05KCPatrick Mahomes → Byron Pringle, 5-yard TD Extends leadElliott Fry XP014
2nd quarter
8:45KCElliott Fry 44-yard FG Extends lead017
2:13KCPatrick Mahomes → Mecole Hardman, 8-yard TD Extends leadXP missed023
3rd quarter
8:53KCPatrick Mahomes → Byron Pringle, 16-yard TD Extends leadElliott Fry XP030
3:34PITChris Boswell 34-yard FG330
4th quarter
11:57KCElliott Fry 34-yard FG Extends lead333
9:41KCElliott Fry 30-yard FG Extends lead336
2:54PITBen Roethlisberger → Diontae Johnson, 15-yard TDChris Boswell XP1036

Fantasy Points: Steelers vs Chiefs, Week 16 2021

Fantasy leaders

  1. Byron PringleKCWR25.5 PTSWR7
  2. Patrick MahomesKCQB21.3 PTSQB5
  3. Najee HarrisPITRB16.0 PTSRB14
  4. Diontae JohnsonPITWR14.1 PTSWR27

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Patrick MahomesKCQB21.3QB523/3025830———135.1Start/Sit →
Ben RoethlisbergerPITQB6.4QB3223/3515911———73.4
Mason RudolphPITQB3.1QB365/83500117072.4Start/Sit →
Chad HenneKCQB-2.0—————200—

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Byron PringleKCWR25.5WR7WR———76752
Najee HarrisPITRB16.0RB14RB1993075170Start/Sit →
Diontae JohnsonPITWR14.1WR27WR———96511
Derrick GoreKCRB13.4RB20RB1243033610
Mecole HardmanKCWR12.1WR36WR———53311
Darrel WilliamsKCRB11.5RB22RB1155033300
Clyde Edwards-HelaireKCRB10.1RB26RB92711140
Chase ClaypoolPITWR8.1WR58WR———64410
Zach GentryPITTE7.1TE20TE———44310
Ray-Ray McCloudPITWR6.5WR68WR———84250
Cody WhitePITWR4.6WR79WR———33160Start/Sit →
Tyreek HillKCWR3.9WR85WR———22190
Benny SnellPITRB3.6RB54RB52001160
Demarcus RobinsonKCWR3.5WR90WR———22150
Noah GrayKCTE3.2TE37TE———22120Start/Sit →
Blake BellKCTE2.1TE45TE———11110
Kevin RaderPITTE1.7TE47TE———2170
Josh GordonKCWR0.0—WR———3000
James WashingtonPITWR0.0—WR———2000

Fantasy Usage

Pittsburgh Steelers

Snap Share

  1. Diontae JohnsonWR65 snaps90%
  2. Chase ClaypoolWR59 snaps82%
  3. Najee HarrisRB56 snaps78%
  4. Zach GentryTE49 snaps68%
  5. Ray-Ray McCloudWR45 snaps63%

Target Share42 targets

  1. Diontae Johnson21%, 9 targets
  2. Ray-Ray McCloud19%, 8 targets
  3. Najee Harris17%, 7 targets
  4. Chase Claypool14%, 6 targets
  5. Zach Gentry10%, 4 targets
  6. Other19%, 8 targets

Carry Share25 carries

  1. Najee Harris76%, 19 carries
  2. Benny Snell20%, 5 carries
  3. Mason Rudolph4%, 1 carries

Kansas City Chiefs

Snap Share

  1. Byron PringleWR55 snaps80%
  2. Noah GrayTE50 snaps72%
  3. Demarcus RobinsonWR46 snaps67%
  4. Mecole HardmanWR30 snaps43%
  5. Tyreek HillWR29 snaps42%

Target Share29 targets

  1. Byron Pringle24%, 7 targets
  2. Mecole Hardman17%, 5 targets
  3. Josh Gordon10%, 3 targets
  4. Darrel Williams10%, 3 targets
  5. Derrick Gore10%, 3 targets
  6. Other28%, 8 targets

Carry Share34 carries

  1. Derrick Gore35%, 12 carries
  2. Darrel Williams32%, 11 carries
  3. Clyde Edwards-Helaire26%, 9 carries
  4. Chad Henne6%, 2 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Diontae JohnsonPITWR6590%921%0
Chase ClaypoolPITWR5982%614%0
Byron PringleKCWR5580%724%0
Najee HarrisPITRB5678%717%19
Noah GrayKCTE5072%27%0
Zach GentryPITTE4968%410%0
Demarcus RobinsonKCWR4667%27%0
Ray-Ray McCloudPITWR4563%819%0
Mecole HardmanKCWR3043%517%0
Tyreek HillKCWR2942%27%0
Darrel WilliamsKCRB2942%310%11
Cody WhitePITWR2839%37%0
Blake BellKCTE2536%13%0
James WashingtonPITWR2231%25%0
Clyde Edwards-HelaireKCRB2130%13%9
Derrick GoreKCRB1928%310%12
Kevin RaderPITTE1724%25%0
Benny SnellPITRB1622%12%5
Marcus KempKCWR1116%00%0
Josh GordonKCWR812%310%0
Nakia Griffin-StewartKCTE34%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+13.7Byron Pringle25.5 PTS vs 11.8 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−8.0Najee Harris16.0 PTS vs 24.0 xFP
  • Highest expected volume24.0 xFPNajee Harris16.0 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Najee HarrisPIT · RB16.024.0−8.078%76% car—01976%717%
Ben RoethlisbergerPIT · QB7.415.4−8.086%35 att—3500%00%
Diontae JohnsonPIT · WR15.115.2−0.190%21% tgt—000%921%
Ray-Ray McCloud IIIPIT · WR6.513.5−7.063%19% tgt—000%819%
Patrick MahomesKC · QB22.313.2+9.191%30 att—3000%00%
Derrick GoreKC · RB13.412.8+0.628%34% car—01234%310%
Darrel WilliamsKC · RB11.512.1−0.642%31% car—01131%310%
Byron PringleKC · WR25.511.8+13.780%24% tgt—000%724%
Chase ClaypoolPIT · WR8.110.1−2.082%14% tgt—000%614%
Mecole Hardman Jr.KC · WR12.18.4+3.743%17% tgt—000%517%
Clyde Edwards-HelaireKC · RB10.17.5+2.630%26% car—0926%13%
Zach GentryPIT · TE7.16.7+0.468%10% tgt—000%410%
Cody WhitePIT · WR4.65.1−0.539%7% tgt—000%37%
Josh GordonKC · WR0.05.1−5.112%10% tgt—000%310%
Benny Snell Jr.PIT · RB3.64.9−1.322%20% car—0520%12%
Mason RudolphPIT · QB3.14.2−1.114%8 att—814%00%
Demarcus RobinsonKC · WR3.53.4+0.167%7% tgt—000%27%
James WashingtonPIT · WR0.03.4−3.431%5% tgt—000%25%
Kevin RaderPIT · TE1.73.4−1.724%5% tgt—000%25%
Noah GrayKC · TE3.23.4−0.272%7% tgt—000%27%
Tyreek HillKC · WR3.93.4+0.542%7% tgt—000%27%
Blake BellKC · TE2.11.7+0.436%3% tgt—000%13%
Chad HenneKC · QB0.01.3−1.39%0 att—026%00%
Michael BurtonKC · RB0.20.6−0.4—3% car—013%00%

Team totals: Steelers 42 targets and 25 carries; Chiefs 29 targets and 35 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Ben Roethlisberger Unlucky

PIT · QB · 7.4 pts on 15.4 expected

23 of 35 passing for 159 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 15.4 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Patrick Mahomes Ran hot

KC · QB · 22.3 pts on 13.2 expected

23 of 30 passing for 258 yards, 3 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 13.2 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Patrick Mahomes →

Najee Harris Volume, no payoff

PIT · RB · 16.0 pts on 24.0 expected

7 targets (17% of the team's), 5 catches for 17 yards; 19 carries (76% of the team's) for 93 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 24.0 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Najee Harris →

Diontae Johnson

PIT · WR · 15.1 pts on 15.2 expected

9 targets (21% of the team's), 6 catches for 51 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.2 expected.

Derrick Gore

KC · RB · 13.4 pts on 12.8 expected

3 targets (10% of the team's), 3 catches for 61 yards; 12 carries (34% of the team's) for 43 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 12.8 expected.

Darrel Williams

KC · RB · 11.5 pts on 12.1 expected

3 targets (10% of the team's), 3 catches for 30 yards; 11 carries (31% of the team's) for 55 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 12.1 expected.

Ray-Ray McCloud III Unlucky

PIT · WR · 6.5 pts on 13.5 expected

8 targets (19% of the team's), 4 catches for 25 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 13.5 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Byron Pringle Ran hot

KC · WR · 25.5 pts on 11.8 expected

7 targets (24% of the team's), 6 catches for 75 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 11.8 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Stock up: Ray-Ray McCloud III played 63% of the snaps, up from a 43% season average.
  • Stock up: Zach Gentry played 68% of the snaps, up from a 36% season average.
  • Stock up: Cody White played 39% of the snaps, up from a 10% season average.

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Stock up: Darrel Williams led the backfield with 42% of the snaps after trailing Clyde Edwards-Helaire before this game.
  • Stock up: Byron Pringle played 80% of the snaps, up from a 45% season average.
  • Stock up: Noah Gray played 72% of the snaps, up from a 25% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Steelers defense and Chiefs defense
Points allowed toSteelers DChiefs D
QBs17.120.2
RBs25.623.6
WRs30.831.1
TEs10.812.3

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Kansas City opened at 77% win probability and passed 98% before halftime on the way to the win.

Chiefs win probability

Chiefs win probability by game minuteChiefs started at 77%, stood at >99% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 9 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +14Edwards-Helaire 1-yd TD run75% → 89%Q1 4:07
  2. +7Mahomes → Pringle, 5-yd TD89% → 97%Q1 1:05
  3. +1Fry 44-yd FG97% → 98%Q2 8:45

Swing in Chiefs win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Steelers vs Chiefs
Pittsburgh SteelersMeasureKansas City Chiefs
70Plays67
64%Pass rate48%
3.8Yds / dropback7.9
5.2Yds / carry3.6
5/13Third downs4/11

Efficiency edge Kansas City ran 3 fewer plays but gained 4.1 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • PIT Johnson 21% · McCloud 19% · Harris 17%
  • KC Pringle 24% · Hardman 17% · Williams 10%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Steelers vs Chiefs
ResultPITKC
Touchdowns14
Field goals13
Punts22
Turnovers30
Turnovers on downs10
Missed field goals11

KC turnover edge: +3

  • The Chiefs opened the scoring on their first possession, a 14-play, 73-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Chiefs scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives.
All 21 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
PITQ1 15:00582:43Punt
KCQ1 12:1714738:10Touchdown
PITQ1 4:07100:08Interception
KCQ1 3:596492:54Touchdown
PITQ1 1:055172:19Punt
KCQ2 13:4610545:01Field goal
PITQ2 8:459573:42Missed FG
KCQ2 5:036742:50Touchdown
PITQ2 2:13460:50Downs
KCQ2 1:236101:05Missed FG
PITQ2 0:183210:18End of half
KCQ3 15:00341:34Punt
PITQ3 13:262100:42Fumble
KCQ3 12:447513:51Touchdown
PITQ3 8:5315545:19Field goal
KCQ3 3:3412596:37Field goal
PITQ4 11:571-130:14Fumble
KCQ4 11:434-52:02Field goal
PITQ4 9:4117856:47Touchdown
KCQ4 2:54360:38Punt
PITQ4 2:1610542:16End of game
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Steelers vs Chiefs Head-to-Head

The Steelers and Chiefs first met in 1970 and have played 38 times since.

All-time series
23–15Steelers lead, 38 meetings since 1970
Postseason
2–1Chiefs won in 1993 and 2021; Steelers won in 2016
Largest Steelers win
45–01976
Largest Chiefs win
36–102021

Since 2021

3–0 Chiefs lead

3 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. C = Chiefs win, S = Steelers win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Steelers vs Chiefs
SteelersStatChiefs
9-7-1Record12-5
20.2Points per game28.2
315.4Yards per game396.8
4.8Yards per play5.9
23.4Points allowed per game21.4
361.1Yards allowed per game368.9

Steelers vs Chiefs Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
KC −10Chiefs covered by 16
Total
44.5Over: 46 points scored (by 1.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Chiefs27.336+8.8
Steelers17.310−7.3

The Chiefs beat their implied total and the Steelers fell short of theirs; the Fantasy tab has the player lines behind it.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Against the spread
6–9
Over/under
6–8–1
ATS as favorite
1–5
ATS as underdog
5–4
ATS on the road
3–4

Kansas City Chiefs

Against the spread
8–7
Over/under
8–7
ATS as favorite
8–7
ATS at home
4–5

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Steelers and Chiefs in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Steeler or a Chief, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Steelers vs Chiefs Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Steelers vs Chiefs Week 16 game?

The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 36–10 in Week 16 of the 2021 season. The game was played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO, on December 26, 2021. See the Chiefs' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Steelers vs Chiefs?

The final score was Chiefs 36, Steelers 10. The Chiefs led 23–0 at halftime, and the second half went Steelers 10, Chiefs 13.

What happened in the Steelers vs Chiefs game?

Kansas City led 23–0 at halftime and outscored Pittsburgh 13–10 after the break to win 36–10. The Chiefs finished with a 381–303 edge in total offense and averaged 5.7 yards per play. Byron Pringle led all players with 6 catches for 75 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Steelers committed 3 turnovers, the Chiefs none.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Steelers vs Chiefs?

Byron Pringle led the game with 25.5 PPR fantasy points, the WR7 of Week 16, on 6 catches for 75 yards and 2 touchdowns. Patrick Mahomes was next with 21.3 (QB5).

Who led Steelers vs Chiefs in passing, rushing and receiving?

Patrick Mahomes (KC) led all passers with 23 of 30 for 258 yards and 3 touchdowns. Najee Harris (PIT) led in rushing with 19 carries for 93 yards. Byron Pringle (KC) led in receiving with 6 catches for 75 yards and 2 touchdowns.

How many fantasy points did Byron Pringle score against the Steelers?

Byron Pringle scored 25.5 points in PPR leagues, 22.5 in half-PPR and 19.5 in standard scoring against the Steelers in Week 16 of the 2021 season, on 6 catches for 75 yards and 2 touchdowns. He drew 24% of his team's targets.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Steelers vs Chiefs?

Byron Pringle outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 25.5 PPR points on 11.8 xFP (+13.7). Najee Harris fell furthest short, with 16.0 points on 24.0 xFP (−8.0). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the Chiefs beat the Steelers?

The Chiefs beat the Steelers 36–10 because they averaged 5.7 yards per play to 4.3, won the turnover battle 3–0, and outgained them 381–303.

Which team won the turnover battle in Steelers vs Chiefs?

The Chiefs won the turnover battle 3–0: the Steelers gave the ball away 3 times and the Chiefs not at all. The Chiefs won the game.

What is the all-time Steelers vs Chiefs record?

The Steelers lead the all-time series 23–15 across 38 meetings since 1970, including a 1–2 record in the postseason.

When did the Steelers and Chiefs last play before this game?

Before Week 16 of 2021, they last met in the 2018 season on September 16, 2018, when the Chiefs beat the Steelers 42–37.

Have the Steelers and Chiefs met in the playoffs?

Yes, 3 times, most recently in the 2021 playoffs. The Steelers are 1–2 against the Chiefs in the postseason.

What was the closing spread for Steelers vs Chiefs?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Chiefs −10, making the Kansas City Chiefs 10-point favorites, with a closing total of 44.5. That implied about 27.3 points for the Chiefs and 17.3 for the Steelers.

Did Steelers vs Chiefs go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 44.5, and the teams combined for 46 points, 1.5 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Steelers vs Chiefs?

The Chiefs covered by 16 against the closing line of Chiefs −10. The final margin was 26 points.