Mike Tomlin warns Steelers can't afford slow start against Chiefs

Slow starts and faster finishes, for better or worse, have defined the Pittsburgh Steelers’ play over the past month.

That recipe won’t work Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, coach Mike Tomlin warned Tuesday at his press conference.

Coming off a 19-13 victory against Tennessee — just the second in the past five games — the Steelers (7-6-1) head on the road and play the AFC’s hottest team and top seed when they face the Chiefs (10-4), winners of seven in a row.

“Nineteen points that we scored last week, it isn’t realistic to think it’s going to be enough to get out of the stadium with victory,” Tomlin said.

The Chiefs haven’t lost since before Halloween. In their four losses, as Tomlin pointed out, they have allowed at least 27 points, with three opponents scoring at least 30. The Steelers have hit the 30-point barrier once this season, and that was in the 41-37 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers.

That means the Steelers can’t go another game without scoring a first-half touchdown. They haven’t scored one in the past four games, and they’ve been outscored 91-19 in the first half over the past five weeks. It took until the eighth drive for the Steelers to score a touchdown against the Titans.

“We better come in and be prepared to score points and minimize them in situational football and get off the field on third down,” Tomlin said. “Their starts have been significant, up 14, up 10, up nine. Coupled with our recent experience, that is something that can’t transpire. We can’t play the game in that way, particularly in the comforts of Arrowhead Stadium.”

The Steelers have lost their past three road games, giving up a combined 118 points to the Chargers, Bengals and Vikings.

Tomlin isn’t sure whether the Steelers will have rookie tight end Pat Freiermuth available. He is in concussion protocol after being injured in the second half against Tennessee. His absence leaves Zach Gentry as the only healthy tight end on the 53-man roster.

Defensive end Chris Wormley, one of the few healthy veterans on the defense line, left the win against Tennessee with a groin injury and is being “aggressive” in receiving medical treatment, Tomlin said.

The offensive line could get reinforcements. Backup interior lineman J.C. Hassenauer remains on injured reserve but began practicing last week. Kevin Dotson, the starting left guard until an ankle injury landed him on injured reserve, is expected to begin practicing this week, which would start the 21-day window for his return to the roster.

John Leglue has started the past two games at left guard and is listed as the starter on the official roster.

Here is some more of what Tomlin had to say at his press conference:

Tweets by tribjoerutter