Steelers Look To Move Step Closer; Host Chiefs
Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and the Pittsburgh Steelers are closing in on a playoff berth. Can they secure it this weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs?
The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday in a game that could really shakeup the AFC playoff picture.
Kickoff at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET.
Both sides march into the game looking to move one step closer to a playoff berth, with both aware that anything less than a loss could leave the team in dire straits.
The Story So Far
Winners of six of the last eight, Pittsburgh (9-5, 4-2 home) controls its own destiny heading into the final two weeks of the regular season.
A win for Mike Tomlin’s side on Sunday would confirm a playoff berth, while a win over the Cincinnati Bengals in the Week 17 finale would lock down the division title.
Losses for the Buffalo Bills (at Oakland) and Baltimore Ravens (at Houston) this weekend would be almost enough for Pittsburgh to nab a wild card berth without winning on Sunday. The San Diego Chargers‘ win over the Niners on Saturday night ensured that this one will go down to the wire though.
The Steelers picked up a second straight win last weekend, defeating the Atlanta Falcons on the road. Le’Veon Bell continued his breakout year with another big performance, something the Steelers faithful will be hoping to see more of this weekend.
The Chiefs will represent a very different, and a very serious, challenge to Pittsburgh though. The Steelers will be confident though; the team has won five straight contests against teams that currently own a plus-.500 record.
With the Denver Broncos securing the AFC West title last weekend, Kansas City (8-6, 3-4 road) knows that the only way into the postseason comes via a wild card berth.
Right now, the Chiefs are embroiled in a wild card battle royal. Six teams still remain with a realistic shot at a berth, with one of those six assured of the AFC North title and an automatic berth. Both the Steelers and Ravens currently sit ahead of the Chiefs, making Sunday’s game a must win.
A loss for the Chiefs coupled with a win for Baltimore would mark the end of Kansas City’s challenge. A win over the Steelers would set next week’s showdown with the Chargers up nicely.
Head-to-Head
Since the sides first collided in 1970, Pittsburgh leads the head-to-head series 19-10.
The Steelers have won two straight in the series and three of the last four.
Last time the two teams met (Nov. 12, 2012), the Steelers earned a 16-13 win at Heinz Field.
Pittsburgh is 9-4 all-time when hosting Kansas City and has won four straight head-to-head meetings in the Steel City.
The Chiefs haven’t won a game in Pittsburgh since 1986. For those that believe in omens, that win came on December 21. The Chiefs were a six-loss side heading into that game too and would go on to make the playoffs.
Injury Report
Pittsburgh center Maurkice Pouncey (ankle), safety Troy Polamalu (knee) and cornerback Ike Taylor (shoulder/forearm) are all listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.
Linebacker James Harrison (knee) and tackle Marcus Gilbert (ankle) are probable.
Kansas City defensive back Eric Berry (illness) is out of Sunday’s game.
Tight end Anthony Fasano (knee) is amongst Chief players listed as questionable. Running back Jamaal Charles (knee/ankle) and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (illness) are amongst a long list of players considered probable for the game.
Check out the full injury list
Tight end Anthony Fasano is one of the Chiefs’ injury worries.
Betting Report
Below you’ll find Betting Sports’ breakdown of odds and betting trends.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers odds for 12/21/2014
Moneyline: Pittsburgh (-156) opened as the favorite over Kansas City (+141) on the moneyline and remains the favorite heading into game time.
The Steelers have won two straight and six of their last eight heading into Sunday’s game. Mike Tomlin’s side has not lost at home to a team with a winning record all season.
Kansas City has lost two straight road games after winning three of four. The Chiefs are 0-4 in their last four trips to the Steel City.
Spread: The spread opened at 3.5 in favor of the Steelers and has fallen slightly as kickoff approaches.
The Chiefs (9-5-0 ATS) have fared better against the spread this season than Pittsburgh (7-7-0 ATS) and could be a good shout to cover in this one.
The Chiefs are 4-3-0 ATS on the road and 5-1-0 ATS when considered the underdog.
The Steelers are 3-3-0 ATS at home and 4-5-0 ATS when playing as the favorite.
Kansas City is 4-1-0 ATS in its last five games against Pittsburgh.
Total: The total opened at 46.5 and has remained fairly constant.
Pittsburgh (9-5-0 O/U) has favored the over this season while Kansas City (5-9-0 O/U) has preferred the under.
The total has gone over in all six home games for the Steelers this season. The under has paid out in five of Kansas City’s seven road games.
The over has paid out in five of the last seven head-to-head meetings, and four of the last six the two sides have played in Pittsburgh.
*****
For an up-to-date list of Week 16 NFL odds, click here.
For a full list of NFL Futures, click here.
For NFL team prop bets, click here.
For NFL player prop bets, click here.
