Steelers
vs.
Chiefs
Week 6
NFL Pick
10/15/17
By: Jason Green
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2 SU 2-3 ATS) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (5-0 SU 5-0 ATS)
The Steelers are coming off a bad loss at home where Ben Roethlisberger had one of the worst starts in his career throwing five interceptions. With their loss they fell into a tie for first place in the AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens. The rushing offense for Pittsburgh only ranks 24th in the league and while their defense ranks 6th in the league giving up an average of 17.8 ppg they gave up 30 points in their last Game.
At 5 dimes sportsbook the Chiefs are 4.5-point favorites with a total of 46.5.
The Chiefs are the lone undefeated team in the league and not only that, but they have covered the spread in all of their Games as well. Alex Smith leads an offense that is the highest scoring one in the league and KC ranks 2nd in the league in rushing yards per Game.
These teams met in the playoffs last season at Kansas City where the Steelers beat the Chiefs 18-16.
The Steelers lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars 30-9 in their last Game where they had more overall yards, but Big Ben had five INT, which is the most he has ever had in the Game. He threw for over 300 yards, but did not throw a TD and he only has three TD passes in his last three Games. WR Antonio Brown had a big Game against the Jags with 157 receiving yards and he leads the league in receiving yards. Le’Veon Bell ranks 5th in the league in rushing yards and after rushing for 144 yards in the previous Game he only had 47 yards averaging 3.1 yards per carry against Jacksonville, but did have 10 catches for 46 yards.
The Chiefs rank in the middle of the pack (17th) in points against and they gave up 34 points in their last Game.
Kansas City beat the Houston Texans 42-34 in their last Game where they racked up 450 total yards and forced the Game’s only turnover. Alex Smith had another big Game passing for 323 yards with 3 TD and no INT and Travis Kelce led the Chiefs with 98 receiving yards. Kareem Hunt rushed for 107 yards only averaging 3.7 yards per carry. He leads the league in rushing yards, with a 143 yard lead on the 2nd leading RB, and he has rushed for over 100 yards in Four of five Games this season.
Hunt has to be a big worry for the Pittsburgh run defense that was torched last week allowing Jacksonville’s Leonard Fournette to rush for 181 yards and the Jags as a team to rush for 231 yards.
The Steelers are 4-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record, 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 Games following a ATS loss, and in their last 29 road Games the Under record is 22-7.
The Chiefs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Games overall, 7-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record, and in their last 57 home Games the Under record is 39-18.
Jason’s Pick: The Chiefs have covered the spread in Four of their last five Games facing the Steelers and that is a trend that will continue this Sunday. Big Ben will turn things around and have a good Game, but Smith and Hunt will be too much for the Pittsburgh defense to handle. The Chiefs will win, stay perfect, and cover the spread at home.