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Stopping Jamaal Charles Is Key To Pittsburgh Steelers’ Win Over Kansas City Chiefs

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Pittsburgh Steelers Defense

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers are on the cusp of making the playoffs for the first time since 2011. This isn’t a given quite yet, since the AFC North is one of the best divisions in the NFL. There is a decent chance that three teams will make it into the playoffs from this division, including Pittsburgh. In order for that to happen, though, the Steelers have to get through another playoff contender in Week 16, the Kansas City Chiefs. The key to beating the Chiefs is stopping All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles, which should be the Steelers’ top priority.

Charles is one of those multi-talented players who can beat a defense both running and receiving. He is only 50 yards away from cracking 1,000 rushing yards for the third straight season and is already Kansas City’s all-time leading rusher. Charles is the best player on the Chiefs’ offense and arguably on the entire roster. Stopping him is the biggest challenge that the Steelers’ defense will face this season, and it comes at a time when the team needs a win.

Pittsburgh sports fans can be ever hopeful that the multiple injuries that Charles has been struggling with will slow him down on Sunday, but that is not always a given. He left last week’s game against the Oakland Raiders after a hard hit to the head, but passed his concussion protocols, and returned to contribute to the win. Injuries have speckled his career, but Charles always seems to perform when the team needs him. Despite his probable designation for Week 16, Charles will play and will be a deciding factor in the game.

So far this season, the run defense in Pittsburgh has left a lot to be desired. There have been glimmers of hope, but nothing against any player of Charles’s caliber. There are way too many high draft picks playing defense for Pittsburgh for the unit not to be able to stop the run. Maybe this is the week that the players band together when the team needs them most, but it will take a lot more than good intentions and high expectations to stop Charles.

Pittsburgh has always been known for tough defense and tough running, but recently, the defense has been lacking. The Steelers need a win in Week 16 in order to stay in the AFC playoff hunt, and the key to that win is stopping Charles. It is possible that the defense will be able to stop the All-Pro running back, but if they can’t, then it will set up a huge Week 17 matchup against the division rival Cincinnati Bengals with playoff hopes on the line.

Andrew Lenz is a blogger for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RealAndyLenz, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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