With their potent passing attack triggered by former NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs are a team built to throw the football.
But when they selected running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, many thought Kansas City head coach Andy Reid was looking to change that -- at least to a degree.
And there were times last season when the Chiefs did line up and feature the run.
That, however, seems to have been a passing phase -- no pun intended. The Chiefs (10-4) are back to their passing ways this season, which offers an interesting dilemma for Reid and company heading into Sunday's game at Arrowhead Stadium against the Steelers (7-6-1).
The Steelers are allowing 144 rushing yards per game this season and an average of 181.7 yards over their past seven games. Running the ball against the Steelers has been a winning formula -- at least at times -- for opponents in the second half of the season.
But will the Chiefs -- even with star receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce currently on the Reserve/COVID-19 List and potentially not available for this game -- follow the same script others have used, or will they just do what they do? That's the question the Steelers face this week as they prepare to face Kansas City.
"It’s a copycat league. If you’re not doing something well, a team is definitely going to exploit that," said Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward. "I do think we’re going to get a dose of run, but at some point, you’re not going to change your whole personality. There are going to be things you’re going to do. We’ve got to clean up some stuff so if they do go to the run, we’re able to stop it and make them do something else."
That can be a two-way street, as well. The more the Chiefs run the ball, there's a good chance the less explosive they'll be. Edwards-Helaire is a good running back, but he's not Joe Mixon of the Bengals or Dalvin Cook of the Vikings, two running backs who posted huge rushing numbers in recent weeks against the Steelers.
The Chiefs average just 18.9 rushing attempts per game from their running backs for 78 yards, an average of 4.1 yards per carry. Overall, they average 109.9 rushing yards per game, but Mahomes has 302 rushing yards this season, while players such as Hill has 94 yards on eight attempts to supplement Kansas City's running game.
Simply lining up and running the ball? That has never been a staple of a Reid-led offense.
Kansas City hasn't had more than 32 rushing attempts in a game this season.
But that doesn't mean the Steelers aren't preparing for it, especially after allowing more than 200 rushing yards in each of their last two games, including 201 yards on 42 carries in a 19-13 win over the Titans last week.
Especially if Hill and Kelce aren't cleared to play before Sunday's game.
"I would if I was them," defensive coordinator Keith Butler said of the Chiefs running the ball. "They’ve got play-action too. They do a good job with the people they’ve got. Their running backs are good. (Kelce and Hill) are better. We can’t discount the running backs in this situation. They’re going to try to run the ball and keep our offense off the field. The time of possession last week hurt us. We had it 20 minutes and they had it 40. We can’t allow that to happen."
That's especially true given the fact the Steelers could be without five defensive linemen for this game. Stephon Tuitt hasn't played all year and Tyson Alualu has been out since Week 2. Chris Wormley, who has started in place of Tuitt, is dealing with a groin injury and hasn't practiced this week. Meanwhile, the Steelers have been using a bevy of players at nose tackle, including Montravious Adams and Isaiah Buggs, both of whom are on the Reserve/COVID-19 List for the Steelers. Buggs went on that list Thursday.
As things stand, it could be rookie Isaiahh Loudermilk at defensive end and either Henry Mondeaux or Carlos Davis at nose tackle for the Steelers.
"I’m looking for him to take the next step if that comes out. It’s going to be a group effort, but Isaiahh is going to have to play big for us," Heyward said. "What I’ve seen has been great, but what I expect is even better."
Thing is, the Chiefs running the ball more might play into the hands of the Steelers. All of those rushing yards by the Titans last week led to just one touchdown, as the Steelers didn't allow the big runs they had against Mixon and, particularly, Cook. Instead, they turned the game into an ugly, gritty contest.
And without the home-run threat, the Titans either stalled before getting into scoring range or turned the ball over -- something they did four times.
"It’s good to win ugly. That’s a good ugly," Heyward said. "It just shows that it doesn’t matter how long a series is, or how long they the ball, you’ve got to be a relentless defense."
If the Steelers can tempt the Chiefs into playing ugly and keep Mahomes from throwing the ball all over the field, it's a win for them.
Even though he's thrown a few more interceptions than usual -- he already has a career-high 14 -- Mahomes remains one of the league's most dangerous quarterbacks.
"Yeah, if we can get the ball out of his hands, we’re in a good position," Heyward admitted.
That doesn't mean tempting the Chiefs into a running game will simply add up to a win. After all, Mahomes is certainly capable of finishing off drives with touchdown passes.
But Kansas City is just 17th in the NFL in red zone touchdown percentage at 59.3 percent. The Steelers have the NFL's fourth-best red zone percentage, allowing a touchdown just 49 percent of the time.
If the Steelers can force field goal attempts instead of touchdowns, well, they might have a big advantage there. Kansas City placekicker Harrison Butker tested positive for COVID-19 this week and is reportedly unvaccinated, meaning he will definitely miss this game.
His replacement, Elliott Fry, has attempted and made one career NFL field goal, that coming from just 23 yards last season for the Falcons. He also has made one of two career PATs.
Again, if the Steelers can turn this into an ugly game, something they've done time and again this season, it plays to their favor.
"The ball is in our court. It’s what we do that matters," Heyward said. "I’ve never seen a team that was crowned champion that they’re only looked at as, ‘They only won pretty.’ Or, ‘They won ugly.’ To win, you’ve just got to find a way to do it. It doesn’t have to be pretty. But there’s a lot of work that needs to be done. I will never gloss over that."
THE INJURY REPORT

PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Both Wormley (groin) and tight end Pat Freiermuth (concussion) were held out of practice as Ben Roethlisberger (pectoral/right shoulder) and rookie offensive lineman Dan Moore were limited participants during Thursday's session.