It’s getting pretty crazy in the AFC wild-card race. As many as six teams have eight to nine wins and are battling it out for the two postseason places. Two of those teams happen to be the 8-6 Kansas City Chiefs and the 9-5 Pittsburgh Steelers, who will mix it up in Heinz Field on Sunday with both of their postseason fates very much on the line.
A win for the Steelers would make an AFC North decider against the Cincinnati Bengals possible, while a win for the Chiefs keeps them in the chase for the wild-card until the final week of the year. Who will gain that much-needed W? Let’s find out with our preview below.
Speaking of much-needed wins, the Seattle Seahawks need one of those when they take on the NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals. Check out our preview of that huge division showdown here.
[sc:Football ]Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
When: Sunday, December 21, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Kansas City Chiefs (+3) at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3); total: 46.5 – see all NFL lines
Betting on the Kansas City Chiefs
So the Kansas City Chiefs’ passing game has a pulse. After entering Week 15 tied for the fewest 40-plus yard passing plays (just one), the Chiefs went out and had two such plays in their 31-13 revenge win over the Oakland Raiders.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Rookie Albert Wilson caught a 48-yard bomb, while Knile Davis scampered for a big 70-yard receiving touchdown. Wide receiver Dwyane Bowe came close as well with a 37-yard catch of his own. Quarterback Alex Smith has now thrown for over 290 yards in back-to-back weeks after topping 250 just once back in Week 2.
Tight end Travis Kelce also continued his breakout season with his fifth touchdown catch of the season. He may be turn out to be the key weapon for Kansas City against a Steelers defense that ranks 28th in the league in defending tight ends according to DVOA.
Kelce could be an even more prominent part of the offense if running back Jamaal Charles is less than 100 percent on Sunday. Charles exited briefly in the Raiders game to be checked for a concussion. He reported no symptoms, but he may yet exhibit some signs in the coming days.
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Betting on the Pittsburgh Steelers
Both Big Ben Roethlisberger and Le’Veon Bell are still making some serious noise for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The backfield duo has been putting up some insanely good numbers over the last month or so, and has led to three wins in their last four games.
Roethlisberger threw for over 350 yards for the third-straight game in their 27-20 win over the Atlanta Falcons, but was held without a touchdown for the first time since Week 2. Fortunately, Bell kept up his streak of games with at least one rushing touchdown to four with two more against the Falcons (unfortunately, without his mom’s suggested celebration).
However, their defense has been equally susceptible to giving up big numbers and big plays. The Bengals’ AJ Green and the Falcons’ Harry Douglas (who subbed in for the injured Julio Jones) combined to catch 355 passing yards in the last two weeks against the Steeler secondary.
Meanwhile, Douglas and Devin Hester each had 40-yard gains, extending the Steelers’ streak of allowing at least one 40-yard pass play to four games. They had given up 80-plus yard bombs in back-to-back games against the Titans and Bengals.
But teams better be prepared for a shootout to beat Pittsburgh at home. The Steelers are averaging the third-most points at home this season (35.5), while the Chiefs are 22nd in away points per game (20.3).
Writer’s Prediction
The Steelers (-3) have enough offense to win and cover at home against the Chiefs.
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