Steelers Escape With Narrow Victory

(KANSAS CITY, Mo.) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) scored the only touchdown of the game as they escaped Kansas City (4-7) with a 13-9 win at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday Night Football.

The Steelers were able to take advantage of a Ryan Mundy interception in the second quarter as Ben Roethlisberger hit rookie tight end Weslye Saunders for his first career touchdown catch to take a 13-6 lead into halftime.

Kansas City had a chance to win behind former Pitt and current Chiefs second-string quarterback, Tyler Palko, when they took over with just over four minutes left in the game. Palko led them down the field, but a Keenan Lewis interception with just 30 seconds left sealed the Steelers victory.

Roethlisberger played with a splint and glove to protect the broken thumb on his throwing hand. He finished 21 of 31 for 193 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception. All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu left in the first Chiefs drive of the game after a tough tackle. The team reported he received a blow to the head and will continue to be evaluated. Center Maurkice Pouncey also left in the first half with an illness. The team played without linebacker LaMarr Woodley for the third straight game but did get wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders back.

The Steelers still sit atop the AFC North in a tie with Baltimore after they beat San Francisco on Thursday. Cincinnati also won this week keeping them just a game behind in the tight division race.