Kansas City Chiefs: Le’Veon Bell Creates Nightmare Match-Up
The Kansas City Chiefs have a playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend. The scariest part of that game is on the opposing sideline and that’s Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell.
Since being drafted in the second round in the 2013 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell has become one of the best running backs in the entire league.
Bell, a fantastic back at Michigan State, rushed for 860 yards and eight touchdowns during his rookie season in the NFL. The Steelers figured out the next year that Bell was not only a good runner, but could also open things up for the quarterback in the passing game as well.
In his sophomore season in the pros, Bell racked up 1,361 yards on the ground and had 854 in the air, both insanely high numbers for a running back. He totaled 11 touchdowns that year with eight rushing and three receiving and showed that he was capable of being one of the scariest players in the NFL.
In 2016, Bell missed the first three games due to suspension, but returned to action in week four against none other than the Kansas City Chiefs.
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That game was a huge coming out party for Le’Veon Bell, who took it to the Chiefs in a convincing Steelers win on Sunday Night Football.
Bell rushed for 144 yards and had over 30 yards in the air. The Chiefs had no answer for him and that will have to change in order for them to have a shot at winning on Sunday.
I’ve felt pretty confident in the Chiefs’ ability to win this football game, but if Le’Veon Bell has himself the kind of day he had against Kansas City back in week four, then this could be a long, drawn out game for the Chiefs.
Kansas City has struggled with stopping the run this season, sitting seventh to last in the league in rushing yards allowed, according to ESPN.
For what it’s worth, Miami sits third to last on that list and gave up 167 yards to Le’Veon Bell during the Wild Card game last Sunday. Bell also had two touchdowns in that game.
I’m optimistic about this game, I really am, but if Le’Veon Bell gets going, I’m just not sure that the KC Chiefs will have an answer when it comes to stopping him. Derrick Johnson being hurt and not being able to play has been the biggest problem for the Chiefs run game, so let’s hope someone else steps up in his absence.
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If the Chiefs can stop Bell early, that’d be the best scenario because then maybe the Steelers won’t do an “All Bell Drive”, which they did against the Dolphins. That’s my nightmare scenario is picturing Big Ben handing the ball off to Bell on every single drive and just running the football down the Chiefs’ throats.
How are you feeling about the Chiefs ability to stop Le’Veon Bell? Are you optimistic or do you think he’ll have a monstrous day on the gridiron?