Kansas City Chiefs vs Pittsburgh Steelers 12/26/21 NFL Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers clash Sunday afternoon in a crucial week 16 NFL contest at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The Pittsburgh Steelers need a win after losing three of their last five games. The Kansas City Chiefs look to build on their seven-game winning streak.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost three straight road games. Ben Roethlisberger is completing 65.2 percent of his passes for 3,214 yards, 19 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson have combined for 1,793 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns, while Pat Freiermuth has 49 receptions. The Pittsburgh Steelers ground game is averaging 84.6 yards per contest, and Najee Harris leads the way with 891 yards and 6 touchdowns. Defensively, Pittsburgh is allowing 23.9 points and 367.5 yards per game. Minkah Fitzpatrick leads the Pittsburgh Steelers with 102 tackles, TJ Watt has 17.5 sacks and Ahkello Witherspoon has 2 interceptions.

The Kansas City Chiefs have won five straight home games. Patrick Mahomes is completing 65.6 percent of his passes for 4,052 yards, 30 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce have combined for 2,244 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns, while Mecole Hardman has 47 receptions. The Kansas City Chiefs ground game is averaging 109.9 yards per contest, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire leads the way with 490 yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, Kansas City is allowing 21.1 points and 366.4 yards per game. Nick Bolton leads the Kansas City Chiefs with 102 tackles, Chris Jones has 7 sacks and Tyrann Mathieu has 3 interceptions.

The Steelers are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games in December and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. AFC. The Chiefs are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 home games and 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The under is 37-14-1 in Steelers last 52 road games. The under is 4-1 in Chiefs last 5 home games. The under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.

The Kansas City Chiefs have clearly turned things around over the last month or so, and you can make a case for them being the best team in the league. However, this line feels like a major overreaction by oddsmakers. The Pittsburgh Steelers are hit or miss in terms of wins and losses, but they can still rush the passer, they have some success throwing the ball, and they don’t usually get blown out. The Steelers are also in the thick of the playoff race with one of the better head coaches in the league. I just didn’t expect a double-digit line. Give me the Steelers.