Steelers vs. Chiefs Spread Prediction
Public bettors are already buying into the Kansas City Chiefs but is fading the Pittsburgh Steelers the wrong play on Sunday when these two teams meet at Heinz Field?
Game Snapshot
271 Kansas City Chiefs at 272 Pittsburgh Steelers
1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, September 16
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Steelers are 5-point favorites to beat the Chiefs. The total, meanwhile, sits at 53.5 points. As of this writing, 65% of the public betting tickets are on the Chiefs to cover the point spread.
Kansas City Chiefs
Eric Berry (heel) remained sidelined at Friday’s practice and is doubtful for Week 2 against the Steelers. Berry hasn’t practiced all week. At this point, it would be utterly shocking if he lined up with the Chiefs’ secondary Sunday. Philip Rivers picked apart Kansas City for 424-3-1 and 8.3 YPA in Week 1. Roethlisberger, who returned to practice Friday, has a terrific chance to do the same.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) will play in Week 2 against the Chiefs. As expected. Roethlisberger was a full participant in practice Friday and was never truly in doubt of missing Week 2. He’s ranked as Roto Pat’s No. 2 QB, behind only Drew Brees.
NFL Betting Trends
Kansas City
The Chiefs have covered the spread in five of their last six games overall and are a perfect 5-0 against the number in their last five games played in the month of September.
Pittsburgh
The Steelers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games overall and are winless against the number in their last five home games.
Prediction
Bettors have a tendency to overreact to what they saw in Week 1 and I believe that’s what we’re seeing here with this matchup. Bettors saw how Patrick Mahomes and Co. lit up the Chargers in a small upset and conversely, how the Steelers only managed to tie the Browns and are now taking the points with Kansas City. Ultimately it might be the right strategy because the Chiefs certainly can keep pace offensively. That said, everyone is overlooking the fact that the Chargers also moved the ball at will versus Bob Sutton’s defense. Andy Reid and the Chiefs have struggled historically versus the Steelers, who won’t turn the ball over as much as they did a week ago in sloppy conditions in Cleveland. Plus, Big Ben plays significantly better at home than he does on the road. I’m laying the points.
NFL Week 2 Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers -5