Steelers Kick Chiefs While They’re Down

Kicking a game-winning field goal last week did wonders for Gary Anderson’s confidence and perspective.

Anderson came back to kick a team-record five field goals Sunday to help the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 36-28 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, who lost for the sixth straight time.

“It’s exciting anytime you break a record,” said Anderson, whose 25-yarder with nine seconds left beat Cleveland, 10-9, last week.

“Let me give you an example of what confidence will do for you. That kick that won the game last week looked like it was 60 yards. The (fifth) one today when I lined up looked like it was 18 yards.”

Actually, it was 29 yards. Anderson’s five field goals and Louis Lipps’ 71-yard punt return for a touchdown resulted in the second straight victory for the Steelers (5-5). Pittsburgh remains tied for the AFC Central Division lead with Cincinnati.

Lipps, the AFC’s leading punt returner, returned 6 Kansas City punts for 128 yards and also caught 3 passes for 40 yards as the Steelers got their first road victory in five tries this season.

The Chiefs (3-7) were eliminated from playoff contention for the 14th straight season, following pregame speculation that Coach John Mackovic would resign.

“I didn’t hear the report, so I can’t comment on it,” said Mackovic, who is coming under increasing pressure in his third season as Chiefs’ coach.

“It is very disappointing to everybody--players, coaches and fans. We thought we’d have a pretty good team and it hasn’t materialized.”

Todd Spencer and Bob Kohrs threw key blocks for Lipps, who outran punter Jim Arnold down the sideline to give the Steelers a 20-14 lead midway through the second period. Walter Abercrombie capped a 7-play, 79-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run to put the Steelers on top, 27-14, at halftime.

John Stallworth totaled 126 yards receiving, including a remarkable catch of a 41-yard pass in the final minutes while falling to the ground to set up Anderson’s fifth field goal, a 29-yarder.