Game Overview
How much improvement can be made in three weeks? The Steelers will be asking themselves that when they head to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City searching for a different result than the 36-10 decision, they were on the wrong end of Dec. 26. The Chiefs, who started this season more slowly than many would have expected, seem to have to figure out their issues and are looking to roll over Pittsburgh on their way to a third straight Super Bowl appearance.
Last games records
Pittsburgh is 9-7-1. The Steelers beat Baltimore Ravens 19-16 in their last game. Kansas City is 12-5. The Chiefs beat the Denver Nuggets 28-24 in their last game.
Matchup Information
- 8:15 P.M. EST, January 16th, 2022
- Kansas City, Mo.
- Arrowhead Stadium
Steelers vs. Chiefs Betting Analysis
Pittsburgh Betting Analysis
This Steelers team making the playoffs in quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s last season is amazing. Pittsburgh’s run defense has been atrocious, and the offense looks lost, but the Steelers didn’t back into the playoffs. Pittsburgh won its last two games behind its run game and eking out victories over division opponents.
Pittsburgh has done a decent job of limiting turnovers, only giving the ball away 20 times, which is the 10th best mark in the league. However, the Steelers run defense has been gashed this season, ranking 29th in the league by allowing 93.1 yards per game. T.J. Watt has been the leader of Pittsburgh’s pass rush, recording 22.5 sacks. Akello Witherspoon has been a strong free-agent pickup for the Steelers’ defense. He joined the team after the start of the season and is the team leader with three interceptions.
Kansas City Betting Analysis
Patrick Mahomes is the straw that stirs the drink for Kansas City. When Mahomes went through a rare stretch of turning the ball over early in the season, the Chiefs struggled. Mahomes found his stride and wrapped up the year by passing for 4,839 yards. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill was his top target, pulling in 1,239 yards. Tight end Travis Kelce also hauled in 92 passes for 1,125 yards.
The Chiefs’ offense overall has been strong. Kansas City is third in total yards, fourth in passing yards, and fourth in points scored. That efficiency has allowed the Chiefs to hide a struggling defense. Kansas City is 27th in the league by allowing 368.9 total yards and 251.4 passing yards. The Chiefs are also 21st in the league by allowing 117.6 rushing yards.
Team Updates
Kansas City running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Darrel Williams were both limited in practice this week and will be having their status updated throughout the week. Steelers running back Najee Harris didn’t practice Wednesday with an elbow injury. Pittsburgh defensive back Arthur Maulet was in the concussion protocol.
- The Steelers are 8-9 against the spread this year.
- Pittsburgh has seen the total go under in 11 of its games.
- Kansas City is 8-9 against the spread.
- The total has gone over in 10 of the Chiefs’ games.
Pittsburgh vs. Kansas City Betting Preview
The Steelers making the playoffs is kind of a miracle. Roethlisberger has difficulty throwing the ball down the field, and the offensive line has been a mess at times. Kansas City also had no problems getting through the Pittsburgh defense during the last meeting; Mahomes was 23 of 30 for 258 passing yards and three touchdowns. Top sportsbooks have the Chiefs as 12.5-point favorites, and the over/under has been set at 46.5 points. The Steelers are +525 on the moneyline, while the Chiefs are -715.
Pittsburgh vs. Kansas City Betting Prediction
This game will likely be similar to the last one. Pittsburgh will need to avoid turning the ball over and try to force Mahomes into mistakes. Mahomes didn’t make any major mistakes in their last meeting, and Kansas City raced up and down the field. Travis Kelce also didn’t play in the last meeting, so the tight end seeing the field will add another element the Steelers’ defense will not be able to keep up with.
How to Bet on Pittsburgh vs. Kansas City
Take the Chiefs -12.5
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