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KC’s Next Play: Sports week ahead features Chiefs, Sunflower Showdown + downtown Comets

Jeff Rosen
·3 min read

It’s playoff season in Kansas City, so our preview of the week ahead starts there.

The Chiefs play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Wild Card Weekend edition of Sunday Night Football on Sunday evening. The Chiefs hammered the Steelers at Arrowhead Stadium less than a month ago and are heavily favored in this game, too.

It’s also Sunflower Showdown this week in hoops, with KU at K-State on Saturday, and we’ll be getting to know the new leadership team at the KC Current via a midweek news conference.

Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (38) tackles Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 26, 2021, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs defeated the Steelers 36-10.
Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (38) tackles Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 26, 2021, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs defeated the Steelers 36-10.

These guys again?

Yes, the Chiefs roughed up the Steelers at this very venue on Dec. 26. And yes, the Vegas oddsmakers apparently expect a similar outcome this evening. The Chiefs are 12.5-point favorites.

But ya gotta play the game ... any given Sunday ... all the caveats apply tonight.

The Chiefs-Steelers winner advances to the Divisional Round. The Tennessee Titans, off this weekend by virtue of their No. 1 AFC seed and first-round bye, would not be the Chiefs’ next foe if tonight’s game goes according to script. Nope, the Chiefs would get one more game at home before presumably having to make that return visit to Nashville.

By “return visit,” we’re of course referring to what happened there in late October, when the Chiefs lost 27-3 — the final piece of a puzzling 3-4 start that was promptly followed by eight straight victories.

KC Current forward Kristen Hamilton (center) looks for an opening during the team’s Oct. 30 season finale against the OL Reign at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kan.
KC Current forward Kristen Hamilton (center) looks for an opening during the team’s Oct. 30 season finale against the OL Reign at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kan.

Meet the new boss(es)

The Current are positioning themselves to hit the ground running at a full sprint in season two of their Kansas City existence.

This offseason, along with drafting in some new talent, they’ve made two superstar player acquisitions in Sam Mewis and Lynn Williams. But Wednesday afternoon will be about their reformulated off-field leadership. The club has scheduled a 1:30 p.m. news conference in which they’ll introduce new GM Camille Levin and recently hired head coach Matt Potter.

We’ll bring you all the highlights in The Star and at kansascity.com.

Kansas forward David McCormack (33) shoots between Oklahoma State forward Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe, left, and guard Bryce Thompson, right, in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Kansas forward David McCormack (33) shoots between Oklahoma State forward Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe, left, and guard Bryce Thompson, right, in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Sunflowers at Bramlage

This year’s first Sunflower Showdown in men’s basketball sends KU to Manhattan for a Saturday afternoon showdown with Kansas State.

Tipoff, set for 3 p.m., pits a KU team that’s still finding its way against a Wildcats squad whose coach is back on the hot seat. Or perhaps Bruce Weber never really left it. That’s for others to decide, but K-State’s bringing up the rear in the Big 12 standings, and that’s never a good place to be.

They were known as the Missouri Comets the last time the franchise played a game at T-Mobile Center, which at the time (2012) was known as Sprint Center. Pictured here, the Comets’ Byron Alvarez, left, powers past Chris Lemons of the Wichita Wings.
They were known as the Missouri Comets the last time the franchise played a game at T-Mobile Center, which at the time (2012) was known as Sprint Center. Pictured here, the Comets’ Byron Alvarez, left, powers past Chris Lemons of the Wichita Wings.

Comets in Kansas City

For the first time in a decade, the Kansas City Comets will play at the T-Mobile Center.

The Comets, who entered this season with a perfect 6-0 record in the Major Arena Soccer League, take on the Tacoma Stars Saturday at 7 p.m.

This will be the Comets’ first game at the downtown KC arena since a 2012 meeting with the Wichita Wings. For tickets, visit t-mobilecenter.com.