Kansas City (1-0) at Pittsburgh (0-0-1)
When: Sunday, September 16th 2018
Where: Heinz Field,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Time: 1:00 ET | TV: CBS
Opening Odds: Pittsburgh -4.5/50
The Pittsburgh Steelers open the home part of their schedule looking to get back on track after starting the season in Cleveland with a tie when they host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in Week 2 action. The Steelers came away with a disappointing tie, but should feel fortunate after turning the ball over six times, while forcing just one on defense. Ben Roethlisberger, who missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, threw three interceptions against the Brown, but did practice on Friday and is expected to be ready for Sunday’s contest. Kansas City earned an impressive road win and cover as underdogs at the Los Angeles Chargers last week thanks to the electric Tyreek Hill and Patrick Mahomes. The Steelers have won six of the last eight meetings, including a playoff victory at Arrowhead Stadium two years ago and a 19-13 road win last season. Roethlisberger has thrown 14 touchdown passes and four interceptions in seven career starts against the Chiefs.
Last week was Mahomes’ first game as the Chiefs’ primary signal-caller and he didn’t disappoint. The former Texas Tech quarterback passed for 256 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. His main target was Hill, who caught seven of Mahomes’ passes for 169 yards and two scores, and has 13 touchdowns of 50 or more yards in 32 career games. Kansas City gained just 106 yards on the ground and Kareem Hunt was held to 3.1 yards per carry. The defense allowed San Diego to get back into the game to make the final score closer than it was, surrendering 541 total yards.
Pittsburgh should be able to throw the ball at will with Roethlisberger under center, but do have a reliable backup running back in James Connor to hand the ball off to. The absence of holdout running back Le’Veon Bell doesn’t seem like that big of a deal anymore and the Steelers could be moving on from him, especially if Connors (192 scrimmage yards, two TDs) keeps it up. The run defense is a concern after giving up 177 yards to the Browns, and the secondary could be short-handed, as cornerback Joe Haden (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday.
Big Ben plays much better at home than on the road and should have no problem scorching this weak Kansas City secondary. The Chiefs may be in for a shoot-out here, but the Steelers defense will come up with enough stops to hold on to win by at least a touchdown.
Pick: Steelers -5.5
Betting Trends:
- Chiefs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games in September.
- Chiefs are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
- Chiefs are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Chiefs are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. AFC.
- Chiefs are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games on grass.
- Chiefs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Chiefs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
- Chiefs are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 road games.
- Chiefs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games in Week 2.
- Chiefs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
- Steelers are 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Steelers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games in Week 2.
- Steelers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
- Steelers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games in September.
- Steelers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
- Steelers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 vs. AFC.
- Steelers are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
- Steelers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 home games.
- Steelers are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games on grass.
- Over is 9-3 in Chiefs last 12 road games.
- Over is 9-3 in Chiefs last 12 games in September.
- Under is 9-3-1 in Chiefs last 13 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game.
- Under is 15-5 in Chiefs last 20 games in Week 2.
- Under is 10-4 in Chiefs last 14 vs. a team with a losing record.
- Under is 5-2 in Chiefs last 7 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 5-2 in Chiefs last 7 games on grass.
- Under is 5-2 in Chiefs last 7 games following a ATS win.
- Under is 7-3 in Chiefs last 10 games overall.
- Under is 34-16-1 in Chiefs last 51 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
- Over is 4-0 in Steelers last 4 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
- Under is 12-1 in Steelers last 13 games in Week 2.
- Over is 7-1 in Steelers last 8 games on grass.
- Over is 6-1 in Steelers last 7 home games.
- Under is 5-1 in Steelers last 6 games in September.
- Under is 4-1 in Steelers last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Over is 7-2 in Steelers last 9 games overall.
- Over is 6-2 in Steelers last 8 vs. AFC.
- Under is 6-2 in Steelers last 8 games after allowing more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Under is 9-3 in Steelers last 12 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Under is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.
- Home team is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 meetings.
- Chiefs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
