One X-factor for each team in the NFL playoffs:

Steelers linebacker Robert Spillane

Pittsburgh Steelers – Robert Spillane

I still can’t believe this team is here and I would be shocked if they were to advance against the Chiefs, who just absolutely blew their doors off three weeks ago, but if there’s one thing we can all admit to about the Steelers under Mike Tomlin, it’s the fact that they simply won’t refuse to quit.

So while drafting a running back (as much as I liked Najee Harris coming out) and making minimal investments in an offensive line after the departure of four starters, their run defense has been shockingly putrid, finishing the season dead-last in rushing yards (2483), per-carry average (5.0) and 20+ yard runs (24).

Missing defensive tackle Stephon Tuitt and lacking depth on the D-line have certainly been a factor, but linebackers not staying true to their run fits and filling accordingly has been even more apparent.

While the Chiefs in particular aren’t known for their punishing ground game, with their transformation into more of an efficient quick-passing attack against all the tie-high shells they tend to face, if they have success in both areas, I don’t see how the Steelers have a chance in this one.

Fourth-year undrafted player Robert Spillane filled in nicely for Pittsburgh last season and he’s been on the field for an average of 83 percent of snaps over their past three games, in large part due to the major struggles of Devin Bush in the middle.

While he hasn’t made any game-changing plays, I like the way he can strike blockers climbing up to him with his punch and how he’s held up when asked to sink underneath benders and deep crossers in Tampa-2, while having missed just four of his 60 tackling attempts.

Kansas City will look to put the Steelers' second-level defenders in conflict as their play-makers aim to work underneath routes.

Spillane will try to avenge the touchdown he allowed Clyde Edwards-Helaire to score during their last matchup.

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