PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger left Monday night's game with a right shoulder injury, and the Pittsburgh Steelers were tied with the Kansas City Chiefs 10-10 after three quarters.
Roethlisberger was replaced by Byron Leftwich after being sacked by Justin Houston three plays into the second half. Roethlisberger was officially termed as questionable to return to the game.
Jamaal Charles had 19 carries for 86 yards and a touchdown for upset-minded Kansas City (1-7), which began the day with a five-game losing streak and had not held a lead in regulation yet this season.
But the Chiefs grabbed a 10-0 at rainy Heinz Field on Charles' 12-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter and Ryan Succop's 22-yard field goal 40 seconds into the second quarter.
Shaun Suisham hit a 35-yard field goal and Mike Wallace had a tying 7-yard touchdown catch for the Steelers (5-3), who carried a three-game winning streak into the game.
The Chiefs had a chance to take the lead on their first possession of the second half, but Dwayne Bowe's 22-yard touchdown reception was called back because of a holding penalty and Succop missed a 33-yard field goal.
Kansas City again thought it had touchdown less than a minute later when Houston scooped up what was called a Leftwich fumble and returned it 21 yards into the end zone. A replay review showed the play was instead an incomplete pass.
The Chiefs also were flagged for a group touchdown celebration, and the 15-yard penalty was enforced, allowing the Steelers to keep the ball instead of facing a fourth and long.
Roethlisberger was 9 for 18 for 84 yards before leaving the game. Making only his second appearance since Sept. 27, 2009, Leftwich was 1 for 3 for 31 yards through three quarters.
Wallace made a terrific catch in the corner of the end zone on a fade route from Roethlisberger with 3:16 left in the second. He pulled the ball in with one hand and secured it between his legs as he rolled toward the out-of-bounds line. The touchdown call withstood a video review.
Kansas City's Matt Cassel, in for the injured Brady Quinn (concussion), was 6 for 13 for 90 yards at the end of the third quarter.
A week after posting a career-high 147 yards rushing in a 24-20 win at the New York Giants, Isaac Redman spent the rest of the first half on the bench after he fumbled at the Pittsburgh 11 on the Steelers' third possession. After missing the Giants game due to a right quadriceps injury following consecutive 100-yard rushing games, Jonathan Dwyer replaced Redman and had 50 yards on 14 carries through three quarters.
The Steelers would move within a game of AFC North leader Baltimore with a victory Monday night. Pittsburgh hosts the Ravens (7-2) next Sunday night.
Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley is facing Kansas City for the first time since being fired as head coach of the Chiefs late last season.
Led by Charles, Kansas City boasts the AFC's best rushing offense (149.9 yards per game) but is 15th in passing in the conference.
Cassel has thrown 11 interceptions in only 142 pass attempts this season — seven more than Roethlisberger has in more than twice as many passes.
The Chiefs have 29 turnovers — by far the most in the NFL — but had none in the first half Monday. Redman's fumble was the Steelers' ninth turnover of the season.
As it has been for the past five weeks, Pittsburgh was without All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu due to a calf injury. Also inactive for the Steelers were wide receiver Antonio Brown (ankle), running back Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) and starting right tackle Marcus Gilbert (ankle).
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Steelers, Chiefs tied at 10 after three
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Steelers, Chiefs tied at 10 after three
