Steelers ripped for embarrassing performance, questionable decisions vs. Chiefs

The Pittsburgh Steelers once looked like a true contender in the AFC after posting an 8-2 record over their first 10 games. But things have changed drastically since then, as Pittsburgh is just 2-4 in its last six games.

The Steelers' woes on both sides of the ball continued in Week 17, when the team left fans with coal in their stockings in a 29-10 loss to the Chiefs on Christmas Day that saw the reigning Super Bowl champions cruise to an easy victory.

Not only was the offense bad once again, but the defense continues to struggle, which might be the most alarming part of Pittsburgh's problems. Last week, the Steelers couldn't stop the run, and now this week Pittsburgh had issues stopping the pass.

"Last game, it was allowing 220 rush yards," Chris Adamski of TribLive.com wrote. "Today, allowing a 29-38-320-3-0 (127.1 rating) line for the QB. Top opponents carving up the Steelers (defense)."

"The offense has had its issues today, but the defensive effort is just as concerning. Three games in a row... Steelers have some things to figure out entering playoffs regardless of how the next five quarters of the regular season play out," Parker Abate of SteelerNation.com said.

Pittsburgh had multiple questionable decisions throughout the contest, with one of them coming on a third-and-3 play near midfield in the second quarter that saw the Steelers hand the ball off to backup running back Cordarrelle Patterson, who failed to convert.

Not only was the play-call itself questionable, but not giving the rock to either Najee Harris or Jaylen Warren, who was running particularly well in the loss to Kansas City, made it even worse.

Luckily, the Steelers were bailed out by a Chiefs penalty on the punt that gave them a fresh set of downs.

"3rd and 3 run to Cordarrelle Patterson. Miserable idea," Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot tweeted. "Bailed out by the Chiefs having 12 on the field. Don't expect that from KC's strong (special teams) unit. Whew."

Later in the game, the Steelers were faced with a fourth-and-2 deep in their own territory with six minutes left but decided to punt it away, even though they were down three scores. That decision was not met kindly by some fans.

"Surrender punt! Steelers quit on 4th and 2," one fan wrote. "Might as well end it now."

"Coward punt by Mike Tomlin," Kozora wrote. "Not going for it on 4th and 2 says a lot about where the offense is at (still should've gone for it, obviously)."

What made the decision more baffling was the fact that the Steelers kept their starters out there. If you're going to give up, at least go all the way and avoid risking injury to key players.

MORE: What Steelers loss means for first place in AFC North

After a convincing loss to the Chiefs, it's abundantly clear that the Steelers are nowhere near a Super Bowl contender.

"Steelers looking like a 7 seed," one football fan wrote.

"I really thought they would have given the Chiefs a better game. At least a close one. Mess of a team right now with one week to figure it out before playoffs," Steelers Depot wrote.

With the Steelers' loss, the Baltimore Ravens now control their own destiny for the AFC North. If they can beat the Houston Texans on Wednesday and win next week, the Ravens will win the division.

Unfortunately for the Steelers, the wheels appear to be coming off at the worst time, and while they are already locked into the playoffs, this team looks very much like a squad that will be one-and-done.