Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Kansas City Chiefs: 2021 Wild Card Recap

Game story

In the Wild Card of the 2021 NFL season on 2022-01-16, the Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the Pittsburgh Steelers, pulling away with a 42–21 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) paced the passing game, with -7.28 total EPA, and -0.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, P. Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +20.41 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-24.0% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Kansas City Chiefs changed the game: (10:51) (Shotgun) Direct snap to 17-M.Hardman. 17-M.Hardman FUMBLES (Aborted) at KC 28, recovered by KC-31-Da.Williams at KC 29. 31-Da.Williams to KC 28 for -1 yards (97-C.Heyward; 93-J.Schobert). FUM

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 P. Mahomes · Kansas City Chiefs · Passing · +20.41 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
2. 2 J. McKinnon · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +8.24 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.37 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Kelce · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +7.55 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Hill · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +4.54 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.91 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Pringle · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +3.37 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Washington · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.91 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
7. 7 B. Snell · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +2.68 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Hardman · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +1.76 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.44 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 — T. Watt (Q2 40:51)
• Kansas City Chiefs — J. McKinnon (P. Mahomes pass) (Q2 35:50)
• Kansas City Chiefs — B. Pringle (P. Mahomes pass) (Q2 32:00)
• Kansas City Chiefs — T. Kelce (P. Mahomes pass) (Q2 30:22)
• Kansas City Chiefs — N. Allegretti (P. Mahomes pass) (Q3 25:18)
• Kansas City Chiefs — T. Hill (P. Mahomes pass) (Q3 24:20)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — D. Johnson (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 19:15)
• Kansas City Chiefs — T. Kelce (T. Kelce pass) (Q4 14:18)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Washington (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 7:41)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The second quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 21–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the PIT 69 (Q2 40:51); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q2 40:41) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the PIT 4 (Q2 35:50) — (5:50) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 1-J.McKinnon for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 35:45) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the PIT 12 (Q2 32:00); Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 31:55) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the PIT 48 (Q2 30:22) — (:22) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 87-T.Kelce for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 30:13) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend..

The third quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 14–7. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the PIT 1 (Q3 25:18) — (10:18) 73-N.Allegretti reported in as eligible. 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 73-N.Allegretti for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q3 25:13) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the PIT 31 (Q3 24:20) — (9:20) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 10-T.Hill for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q3 24:14) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the KC 13 (Q3 19:15) — (4:15) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 18-D.Johnson for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q3 19:10) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the PIT 2 (Q4 14:18) — (14:18) (Shotgun) Direct snap to 87-T.Kelce. 87-T.Kelce pass short middle to 13-B.Pringle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q4 14:13) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the KC 15 (Q4 7:41) — (7:41) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 13-J.Washington for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q4 7:36) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin..

Turning points

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

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 40:51) — (10:51) (Shotgun) Direct snap to 17-M.Hardman. 17-M.Hardman FUMBLES (Aborted) at KC 28, recovered by KC-31-Da.Williams at KC 29. 31-Da.Williams to KC 28 for -1 yards (97-C.Heyward; 93-J.Schobert). FUM [WPA -24.0% · EPA -8.57]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 51:30) — (6:30) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right intended for 11-D.Robinson INTERCEPTED by 55-D.Bush (90-T.Watt) at PIT 20. 55-D.Bush to PIT 30 for 10 yards (65-T.Smith). [WPA -15.8% · EPA -5.96]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 30:22) — (:22) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 87-T.Kelce for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.0% · EPA +6.05]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 13-B.Pringle for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on PIT-56-A.Highsmith, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced between downs. [WPA +8.4% · EPA +3.18]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 35:50) — (5:50) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 1-J.McKinnon for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.1% · EPA +1.56]

Impact plays

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

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 40:51) — (10:51) (Shotgun) Direct snap to 17-M.Hardman. 17-M.Hardman FUMBLES (Aborted) at KC 28, recovered by KC-31-Da.Williams at KC 29. 31-Da.Williams to KC 28 for -1 yards (97-C.Heyward; 93-J.Schobert). FUM [WPA -24.0% · EPA -8.57]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 30:22) — (:22) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 87-T.Kelce for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.0% · EPA +6.05]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 51:30) — (6:30) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right intended for 11-D.Robinson INTERCEPTED by 55-D.Bush (90-T.Watt) at PIT 20. 55-D.Bush to PIT 30 for 10 yards (65-T.Smith). [WPA -15.8% · EPA -5.96]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 25:07) — (10:07) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 22-N.Harris to PIT 30 for no gain (50-W.Gay). FUMBLES (50-W.Gay), RECOVERED by KC-55-F.Clark at PIT 29. [WPA -3.4% · EPA -5.39]

Quarterback report card

B.Roethlisberger led all passers in efficiency for Pittsburgh Steelers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 48 dropbacks · 60.4% completion · -0.4% CPOE · -0.15 EPA/play · -7.28 total EPA
• P.Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) · 45 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +10.6% CPOE · +0.45 EPA/play · +20.41 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Kansas City Chiefs held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.15 vs -0.11), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Kansas City Chiefs: 12 drives, +12.42 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 13 drives, -9.25 total EPA, 2 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Kansas City Chiefs leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• P. Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• P. Mahomes (KC) 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 TD (+6) — Q2 40:51 · PIT 69 · Score 6-0
   (10:51) (Shotgun) Direct snap to 17-M.Hardman. 17-M.Hardman FUMBLES (Aborted) at KC 28, recovered by KC-31-Da.Williams at KC 29. 31-Da.Williams to KC 28 for -1
2. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 40:41 · KC 15 · Score 7-0
   9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.
3. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 35:50 · PIT 4 · Score 7-6
   (5:50) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 1-J.McKinnon for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 35:45 · PIT 15 · Score 7-7
   7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
5. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 32:00 · PIT 12 · Score 7-13
   (2:00) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 13-B.Pringle for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on PIT-56-A.Highsmith, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced b
6. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 31:55 · PIT 15 · Score 7-14
   7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
7. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 30:22 · PIT 48 · Score 7-20
   (:22) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 87-T.Kelce for 48 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 30:13 · PIT 15 · Score 7-21
   7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
9. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 25:18 · PIT 1 · Score 7-27
   (10:18) 73-N.Allegretti reported in as eligible. 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 73-N.Allegretti for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 25:13 · PIT 15 · Score 7-28
    7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
11. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 24:20 · PIT 31 · Score 7-34
    (9:20) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep right to 10-T.Hill for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 24:14 · PIT 15 · Score 7-35
    7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 19:15 · KC 13 · Score 13-35
    (4:15) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 18-D.Johnson for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 19:10 · KC 15 · Score 14-35
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.
15. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q4 14:18 · PIT 2 · Score 14-41
    (14:18) (Shotgun) Direct snap to 87-T.Kelce. 87-T.Kelce pass short middle to 13-B.Pringle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q4 14:13 · PIT 15 · Score 14-42
    7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-5-T.Townsend.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 7:41 · KC 15 · Score 20-42
    (7:41) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 13-J.Washington for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 7:36 · KC 15 · Score 21-42
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.