Boswell boots Steelers past Chiefs, into AFC title game

The Pittsburgh Steelers did not spend much time in the end zone at Arrowhead Stadium in Sunday's AFC divisional round game against the Kansas City Chiefs. In fact, it was the home team that scored the game's only touchdowns.

But the Steelers had the strong right leg of kicker Chris Boswell, along with the athletic limbs of running back Le'Veon Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown, and it was enough to beat the Chiefs 18-16.

The victory sends the Steelers to the AFC Championship Game next Sunday against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium.

Boswell made all six of his field goal attempts, while the Steelers' offense produced a lot of yards but not a single touchdown. Overall the Steelers had 389 yards on offense, with Bell running for 170 and Brown picking up 108 receiving yards.

It will be the 16th time the Steelers have advanced to the AFC Championship Game. They won eight of the previous 15 games, including their most recent appearance in the 2010 season when they beat the New York Jets 24-19 at Heinz Field.

Pittsburgh faced New England twice before in the title game (2001, 2004), losing both times at Heinz Field. Overall they are 2-2 on the road in the AFC's deciding game.

This season, the teams met on Oct. 23 in Pittsburgh, with the Patriots grabbing a 27-16 victory.

While the Kansas City defense could not handle Bell and Brown, the Chiefs' offense was out of synch and unable to produce any touchdown opportunities - save their first and last possessions in the game.

Quarterback Alex Smith connected with wide receiver Albert Wilson on a 5-yard pass nine minutes into the game.

The Chiefs picked up the game's second touchdown with just 2 minutes, 43 seconds to play in the fourth quarter, when running back Spencer Ware scored on a 1-yard run.

They went for two points after the TD, and Smith completed a successful pass to tight end Demetrius Harris. But Kansas City left tackle Eric Fisher was called for holding, wiping out the tying score.

On their next attempt, Smith's pass sailed incomplete through the end zone. Their only other points came when kicker Cairo Santos made a 48-yard field goal with 10 seconds to play in the third quarter.

Boswell connected from 22, 38, 36, 45, 43 and 43 yards. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger continually led the offense down the field, but could not crack the K.C. end zone.

On five different possessions, Pittsburgh moved to the K.C. 20-yard line or closer. The Steelers kicked field goals on four of those, losing another when the Chiefs intercepted a deflected pass in the end zone.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Chargers dump McCoy as coach, 49ers axe GM

LOS ANGELES -- Mike McCoy was fired as coach of the NFL's San Diego Chargers, the club announcing after a season-ending loss Sunday that he would not return for the next campaign.

In four seasons, McCoy had an overall record of 28-38, his farewell bow a 37-27 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs which left the Chargers a 5-11 record this season.

The Chargers were 1-1 in the playoffs under McCoy, reaching the post-season during his tenure only in his 2013 campaign debut, and they have already started the search for his replacement.


"Mike McCoy is a man of high character and we thank him for his dedication to the Chargers," Chargers president of football operations John Spanos said. "The decision to dismiss Mike was made in the best interests of our franchise.

"Our team's disappointing performance has not matched this team's potential and has fallen short of the demanding standards that we seek to impose throughout our organization."

McCoy went from 9-7 in the 2014 campaign to 4-12 in 2015 and struggled this season again, going only 7-17 against AFC West division rivals.

"I want to thank Mike for his tireless work and commitment to this organization," said Chargers general manager Tom Telesco. "He instilled a culture of work ethic and togetherness we can build on for years to come."

McCoy was the fastest firing but likely far from the last, with axes notoriously falling in past seasons in the days after the NFL regular season concludes.

San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke told KNBR Radio he had been fired, although the club had not yet announced such a move. After a 2-14 season, 49ers coach Chip Kelly is also expected to be swept out in a bid to change the club's fortunes.

And another coach might be leaving on his own terms, with Denver's Gary Kubiak reportedly retiring due to health concerns.

NFL Network reported Kubiak, 55, told players he was stepping down over health issues. Kubiak, who missed a game last October for what the Broncos called a "complex migraine condition," said he would address his future on Monday.

Just 11 months ago, Kubiak guided the Broncos to a Super Bowl title in his first season.

source: news.abs-cbn.com