Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh (natural grass, outdoors)
When: Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Spread: Steelers by 12.5
Forecast: Mild. Sprinkles late.
Records: Chiefs (Overall: 1-7, AFC West: 0-3); Steelers (Overall: 5-3, AFC North: 1-0)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Nov. 27, 2011: Steelers 13, Chiefs 9; Nov. 22, 2009: Chiefs 27, Steelers 24. Series record: Steelers lead 18-9.
What matters: Not that it matters since the Chiefs have already lost six games by double-digits this year, but the Steelers could have some motivation to run up the score. Todd Haley is now the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh and don't expect Haley to feel badly for his former team after an ugly separation last year. Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel fired himself as the team's defensive coordinator this week, promoting linebackers' coach Gary Gibbs. Crennel wanted to concentrate more on his duties as the team's head coach. The Chiefs definitely are in need of some change. Crennel may also need to change his game plan from what he typically has done against the Steelers in the past, considering he's 0-8 as a head coach against Pittsburgh.
Who matters: Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles. Remember that guy? He's the one who led the NFL in rushing after five games thanks to a 5.3 yards-per-carry average. Since then, Charles has run for 84 yards in the last three games, averaging 2.9 yards per carry. Charles said on Thursday that he "thinks every team knows how to stop me," and added that he's regularly seeing nine in the box. The Steelers rank seventh against the run and first against the pass, so there really isn't a weakness to the defense. Charles would definitely benefit from some early success from QB Matt Cassel. Early success, however, has not been the Chiefs' method of operation. They have been outscored 61-6 in the first quarter.
Key matchups: Pittsburgh WR Emmanuel Sanders vs. Kansas City CB Javier Arenas. WR Antonio Brown is out for the Steelers and Sanders will start in his place. With Chiefs CB Brandon Flowers likely matched up against Steelers WR Mike Wallace, Sanders will go up against Arenas, who is making his second straight start at the right cornerback spot. The Chiefs cut starter Stanford Routt this week. Last week, San Diego did not target Flowers' man once and picked on Arenas or CB Travis Daniels. Arenas has been a slot corner throughout his career and Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will likely continue to pick on him. ... Pittsburgh RB Isaac Redman vs. Kansas City's defense. Redman ran for a career-high 147 yards last week. The Steelers have averaged 155 rushing yards per game the last three weeks, which has been a key to their three-game winning streak.
Injuries of note: Doctors have yet to clear QB Brady Quinn (head). DE Glenn Dorsey (calf) is out.
Inside stuff: Crennel sat in on offensive meetings this week. If he had any more input than usual, expect the Chiefs to run as much as possible.
Stat you should know: Buffalo is the only AFC team with as many turnovers as Cassel, who has 18.
Looking ahead: The Chiefs play at home for three straight weeks, starting with Cincinnati next week.
Prediction: Steelers 34, Chiefs 10
Follow Chiefs reporter C.J. Moore on Twitter @CBSChiefs and @cjmoore4.
