Kansas City Chiefs

Andy Studebaker made history Sunday when he started at outside linebacker for the Chiefs in their victory over the Steelers. He became the first product of Division III Wheaton College to start an NFL game.

Not surprising since the record books show there has been only one other player from the small Illinois college to play in the league, and he was a replacement player during the 1987 NFL players strike.

Studebaker made his first start memorable, intercepting two passes, picking up five tackles and sharing a sack in the Chiefs' overtime victory.

He stepped in for injured 13-year veteran Mike Vrabel, who had played in 113 consecutive games with the Patriots and Chiefs.

"He's a great linebacker," Studebaker said of Vrabel. "I just have to go out and be in the right places and do the right things. Maybe over 13 years I can match his production."

A second-year player who saw only special teams action in six games as a rookie, Studebaker has gone from college defensive end, to Eagles draft choice linebacker, to Chiefs defensive end, to outside linebacker with the team's switch to the 3-4 defense.

"All any player wants is a chance to play," Studebaker said. "It's exciting to get the opportunity."

Studebaker made the most of his chance. He had a pair of third-quarter interceptions, including one in the end zone that he returned 94 yards before he was tackled at the Pittsburgh 8-yard line. Those two picks set up 10 important points for the Chiefs.

"You get a guy like Andy Studebaker, who I said all offseason there was nobody that was better in our condition program," Chiefs coach Todd Haley said, "and then to see it translated into some of the things that kid did out there, I'm happy some of that is starting to show."

It will continue to show because it appears Vrabel will miss this week's game in San Diego and maybe more because of his left knee.

"Can't celebrate for long, we got more games to play," Studebaker said, sounding like a grizzled veteran. "It was a blast playing in that game (against Pittsburgh), but I want more, and the only way you get that chance is to perform and then improve."

Andy Studebaker performed. Now, he has to improve.

—The Chiefs have now won two in a row and three of their last five games, an indication that the roster is starting to understand what coach Todd Haley wants and expects.

"The way this works is you string together some good games, some good practices and you get momentum and you gain confidence," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "It can be a real positive for your team. It builds on itself."

• Rookie kicker Ryan Succop has been the star of the Chiefs' 2009 draft class. He handled the 22-yard winning field goal in overtime with no problem and is now 16-for-20 on the season, but he is 10-for-10 inside the 40-yard line. Succop also placed four of his six kickoffs against the Steelers in the end zone, two of which went for touchbacks.

  "Nothing seems to cause him concern," Haley said. "He's a very cool customer, and that's so important at that position."

Player Notes

• WR Chris Chambers left Sunday's game against Pittsburgh battered and bruised, and he figures to be restricted when practice begins for the Chiefs on Tuesday. Chambers had two big catches late in the victory over the Steelers, but one of those came with a Pittsburgh defender landing on his chest. He was bothered by a sore chest on the 61-yard play that set up the winning field goal in overtime.

• RB Kolby Smith suffered an ankle injury against Pittsburgh on Sunday, and his status for this weekend's game against San Diego is unknown. Some indication will be available on Tuesday, as the Chiefs will practice, breaking their normal routine of taking Tuesday's off.

• RB Jamaal Charles was the last man out of the Chiefs' training room after Sunday's game against Pittsburgh, as he was wearing a wrap around his waist and on his right arm. Charles took a pounding from the Steelers defense but never left the game because of a hit or injury.

• OLB Mike Vrabel likely will miss a second game because of the knee injury he suffered on Nov. 15 against Oakland. Vrabel has not practiced since that game and was inactive Sunday against Pittsburgh, the first game he's missed in six seasons.

• G Andy Alleman's status for Sunday's game in San Diego remains up in the air because of the knee injury that kept him out of the Pittsburgh game. Alleman was not close to practicing last week.

Report Card Vs

. STEELERS

Passing Offense:

B—QB Matt Cassel and the Kansas City passing game were pitiful until midway through the fourth quarter, with 62 net passing yards. Part of it was poor pass protection, as Cassel was sacked five times. But then in the final period, Cassel got hot with both the long bomb and the short pass and threw the tying TD and connected with WR Chris Chambers for a 61-yard play that set up the overtime field goal that won the game.

Rushing Offense:

D—Against one of the best run defenses in the league, the Chiefs got nothing done. They averaged 3.4 yards per carry, totaled 68 yards and had a long run of 10 yards. They need more than that.

Pass Defense:

D—The Chiefs gave up just short of 400 passing yards, and even though they got to Ben Roethlisberger three times and knocked him out of the game with a blow to the head, Roethlisberger had all day to throw. The two interceptions by LB Andy Studebaker were nice, but the Chiefs gave up too many big plays and three TD passes.

Rush Defense:

C—The Steelers were able to run for 114 yards, but they never really hurt the Chiefs with any big plays on the ground. Kansas City allowed 3.7 yards per carry, and the longest run was 13 yards.

Special Teams:

A—When a team starts the game with a 97-yard kickoff return touchdown, it's going to be good day for the kicking game. Rookie K Ryan Succop was 2-for-2 on field goals, including the game-winner. Coverage was solid, and P Dustin Colquitt had a good day.

Coaching:

B—Todd Haley got his third victory as a head coach and did it by maintaining his cool and convincing his team to go out and have fun. The Chiefs' overall effort was not perfect by any means, but the team played with enthusiasm and played to win. Kansas City didn't play not to lose, which has been a problem this season.