Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Kansas City Chiefs: 2017 Week 6 Recap

Game story

In Week 6 of the 2017 NFL season on 2017-10-15, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Kansas City Chiefs, pulling away with a 19–13 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 19 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

A. Smith (Kansas City Chiefs) paced the passing game, with -0.81 total EPA, and -1.2% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, K. Hunt (Kansas City Chiefs) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.97 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-19.5% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: 2-D.Colquitt kicks 48 yards from KC 20 to PIT 32. RECOVERED by KC-80-J.Chesson.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 K. Hunt · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +6.97 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.16 EPA/play
2. 2 L. Bell · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +6.50 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
3. 3 A. Brown · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.49 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +4.15 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.15 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Thomas · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +3.15 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Smith-Schuster · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.90 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
7. 7 V. McDonald · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +1.79 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.90 EPA/play
8. 8 T. Kelce · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +1.43 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Pittsburgh Steelers — L. Bell (Q2 45:00)
• Kansas City Chiefs — D. Thomas (A. Smith pass) (Q4 6:26)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — A. Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 3:34)

Field goals

• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q1 51:25)
• Kansas City Chiefs — unlisted player (Q1 45:00)
• Kansas City Chiefs — C. Boswell (Q2 44:55)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell (Q2 32:11)
• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q4 2:21)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 6–2. Pittsburgh Steelers registered a safety from the PIT 32 (Q1 52:49) — (7:49) (Shotgun) 27-K.Hunt left end to PIT 29 for 3 yards (98-V.Williams).; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the PIT 28 (Q1 51:25) — (6:25) 7-H.Butker 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal (Q1 45:00) — END QUARTER 1.

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 16–3. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the KC 3 (Q2 45:00); Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the KC 15 (Q2 44:55) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the KC 15 (Q2 44:55) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the KC 6 (Q2 32:11) — (2:11) 9-C.Boswell 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..

The fourth quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 10–7. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the PIT 57 (Q4 6:26) — (6:26) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass deep left to 13-D.Thomas for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q4 6:13) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the KC 51 (Q4 3:34) — (3:34) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 84-A.Brown for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. KC-39-T.Mitchell was injured during the play.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q4 3:24) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the PIT 15 (Q4 2:21) — (2:21) 7-H.Butker 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 52:49) — 2-D.Colquitt kicks 48 yards from KC 20 to PIT 32. RECOVERED by KC-80-J.Chesson. [WPA -19.5% · EPA -4.61]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 6:26) — (6:26) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass deep left to 13-D.Thomas for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.3% · EPA +4.99]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 3:34) — (3:34) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 84-A.Brown for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. KC-39-T.Mitchell was injured during the play. [WPA +16.2% · EPA +5.38]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 40:10) — (10:10) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right intended for 84-A.Brown INTERCEPTED by 22-M.Peters at KC 36. 22-M.Peters to PIT 48 for 16 yards (66-D.DeCastro). [WPA -15.9% · EPA -4.76]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q3 15:16) — (:16) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass short right to 27-K.Hunt to PIT 24 for 37 yards (21-J.Haden) [23-M.Mitchell]. PENALTY on PIT-23-M.Mitchell, Roughing the Passer, 12 yards, enforced at PIT 24. [WPA +15.4% · EPA +4.13]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 3:34) — (3:34) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 84-A.Brown for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. KC-39-T.Mitchell was injured during the play. [WPA +16.2% · EPA +5.38]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 6:26) — (6:26) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass deep left to 13-D.Thomas for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.3% · EPA +4.99]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 40:10) — (10:10) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right intended for 84-A.Brown INTERCEPTED by 22-M.Peters at KC 36. 22-M.Peters to PIT 48 for 16 yards (66-D.DeCastro). [WPA -15.9% · EPA -4.76]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 52:49) — 2-D.Colquitt kicks 48 yards from KC 20 to PIT 32. RECOVERED by KC-80-J.Chesson. [WPA -19.5% · EPA -4.61]

Quarterback report card

A.Smith led all passers in efficiency for Kansas City Chiefs, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• A.Smith (Kansas City Chiefs) · 41 dropbacks · 46.3% completion · -1.2% CPOE · -0.02 EPA/play · -0.81 total EPA
• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 27 dropbacks · 63.0% completion · +9.5% CPOE · +0.15 EPA/play · +4.15 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Pittsburgh Steelers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.03 vs -0.07), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Kansas City Chiefs: 11 drives, -5.07 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 11 drives, +2.01 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Pittsburgh Steelers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• K. Hunt (Kansas City Chiefs) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• B. Roethlisberger (PIT) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers Safety (+2) — Q1 52:49 · PIT 32 · Score 2-0
   (7:49) (Shotgun) 27-K.Hunt left end to PIT 29 for 3 yards (98-V.Williams).
2. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q1 51:25 · PIT 28 · Score 2-3
   (6:25) 7-H.Butker 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
3. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q1 45:00 · Score 2-3
   END QUARTER 1
4. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · KC 3 · Score 8-3
   (15:00) 26-L.Bell up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on PIT-26-L.Bell, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+7) — Q2 44:55 · KC 15 · Score 9-3
   9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
6. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q2 44:55 · KC 15 · Score 9-3
   9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 32:11 · KC 6 · Score 12-3
   (2:11) 9-C.Boswell 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
8. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 6:26 · PIT 57 · Score 12-9
   (6:26) (Shotgun) 11-A.Smith pass deep left to 13-D.Thomas for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 6:13 · PIT 15 · Score 12-10
   7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 3:34 · KC 51 · Score 18-10
    (3:34) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 84-A.Brown for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. KC-39-T.Mitchell was injured during the play.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 3:24 · KC 15 · Score 19-10
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
12. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q4 2:21 · PIT 15 · Score 19-13
    (2:21) 7-H.Butker 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.