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Dunlap: James Harrison Defied Age Against Chiefs

Forget Silverback.

On this day, linebacker James Harrison was Ponce de Leon.

Forgive the terrible witticism and admitted stretch in forcing that hokey wisecrack in there, but on Sunday ---- as the Steelers beat the Chiefs 20-12 and clinched a playoff spot ---- Harrison really did seem to find that fountain of youth.

At Heinz Field between 1-4 p.m. on this comfortably chilly late-December day, Harrison produced seven tackles (four solo), 1.5 sacks, two tackles for a loss and hit Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith twice. It was the kind of effort that spearheaded what just might have been the Steelers' best defensive effort all season as the Chiefs failed to find the end zone, instead kicking four field goals for the sum of their points.

It was the type of afternoon where you would have sworn No. 92 in black was the No. 92 in black of 2008, not a 36-year-old who doesn't just see the light at the end of his career tunnel, but is, in reality, driving through it right now. The Chiefs, who mustered a measly 39 yards on the ground all day, could tell from the early-going Harrison would be virtually unblockable. Perhaps that's why Kansas City went to the screen game as much as it did, electing to try to have Harrison run into his own trap.

No matter.

His effectiveness impacted all Kansas City wanted to do or could do.

And here's the thing that might be most impressive: It wasn't as if Harrison picked on some third-string tackle who was picked off the waiver wire, some down-the-liner grasping with all he has at the very bottom of the roster. No, Harrison manhandled a man who is supposed to be "the man" along the offensive line in Kansas City.

Harrison spent much of the day emasculating, embarrassing and distressing Chiefs tackle Eric Fisher.

Fisher is 23 years old; Harrison is 36.

Fisher was the first overall draft pick in 2013; Harrison went undrafted in 2002.

Fisher has much of the Chiefs future --- on the line at least --- resting on his play; Harrison was retired a few short months ago, his body and mind finished with football after many thought he was washed up.

But on this day, the old man whipped the young buck, flat wore him out and kicked his backside from the opening snap to the final horn.

One thing was known as the Steelers walked off Heinz Field on Sunday: That this franchise, after a rocky start to the 2014 season, is headed to the playoffs.

There seemed to be another known from this vantage, too: James Harrison --- as crazy as this might have sounded not too long ago --- appeared far and away the best player on that football field in one of this team's most pivotal games this season.

Colin Dunlap is a featured columnist at CBSPittsburgh.com. He can also be heard weeknights from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sports Radio 93-7 "The Fan." You can e-mail him at colin.dunlap@cbsradio.com. Check out his bio here.

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