Winners and losers from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 29-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day.

WINNER

RB Jaylen Warren

Warren was a bright spot offensively, providing penetration, energy and positive plays virtually every time he touched the football. Pittsburgh leaned on him as it minimized Najee Harris’ role, and although the running game was limited by the team playing from behind – once again – Warren also played in the passing game as a checkdown/swing option.

Given current developments, Harris is preparing to enter free agency in 2025 and play elsewhere, with Warren moving from 1B to 1A in the Steelers’ backfield.

WR George Pickens

Pickens didn’t have a standout game, but his presence was felt today. He caught a 41-yard pass down the sideline in a classic 50/50 moment, a pass that is much better than 50/50 for a guy like Pickens. In the fourth quarter, he made a great hands catch on a slant, breaking tackles and gaining a first down. Unfortunately, the decision was overturned by a rare offside penalty against TE Connor Heyward, and the team ultimately fell apart.

LB Mark Robinson

Kudos to Robinson for making another special teams splash play possible. His second forced fumble on the punt game in the last three weeks, this loose ball was unfortunately not recovered by the Steelers, just like in the Eagles game. But he’s a hard hitter with a feel for the football who has played good ball the last three weeks and also played in a niche defense against the Baltimore Ravens.

LOSER

CB Donte Jackson

A tough game for Jackson from the start. Kansas City’s speed at receiver was a concern, but it wasn’t Xavier Worthy or Hollywood Brown who put Jackson in his place in this game. Instead, it was veteran and Pittsburgh native Justin Watson who beat Jackson down the right sideline for a 49-yard gain in the first quarter. Beaten and stacked, Jackson didn’t even show good technique downfield, looking back at the ball instead of trying to get back into phase.

Jackson had his issues with leverage the rest of the day and despite being the veteran in the secondary, he did little to resist and keep up with Patrick Mahomes.

Red zone defense

The problems continue here. And that’s putting it mildly. Although the Chiefs have struggled inside the 20-minute period this season, they had no trouble moving the ball in Pittsburgh today. Quick throws in the passing game, solid downfield concepts and the running game – Kansas City went 4 of 5 in the red zone today.

Since the bye, the Steelers have been unable to make stops from deep and that is a big reason for their losing streak. For a team that practices seven shots every day in training camp and prides itself on keeping teams scoring, those stops are no longer possible.

TE Darnell Washington

A tough day for Washington, whose snap shot didn’t work against the Chiefs’ defenders. He was cited for holding on to RB Jaylen Warren’s touchdown run, which ultimately resulted in an interception by Russell Wilson. He later gave Mike Danna a sack off the edge, but even his rip/trap couldn’t knock the defender down. In his second NFL season, Washington had a solid year, but this wasn’t his day.

OT Dan Moore/Broderick Jones

Tackles did little to protect Russell Wilson, who was sacked five times today – his highest of the season. Jones had his hands full with LDE George Karlaftis, hitting a sack on back-to-back plays and a possible sack if Wilson hadn’t gotten up and escaped. Moore had no better time as he gave up a sack off play and missed a block on a running back screen, preventing a potentially good gain from Najee Harris.

Defensive game plan

It’s generally not easy to face the Chiefs, especially on a short week, but the Steelers coaches had little answer for how to upset Mahomes and Co. Clearly. The Steelers’ biggest advantage was their pass rush, which Kansas City took complete control of with their quick and RPO game.

Additionally, communication issues arose again, leaving TE Travis Kelce wide open for his touchdown, his first in more than a month. Aside from someone like TJ Watt playing occasionally or the Chiefs giving themselves a penalty, the coaching staff had no answers. That’s down to Mike Tomlin and Teryl Austin, as Pittsburgh’s defense was always a step behind.