Chiefs vs. Steelers: Time, Channel, Line & Prediction

Steelers receiver Antonio Brown leads the NFL in receptions (115) and yards (1,498). (Getty)

Steelers receiver Antonio Brown leads the NFL in receptions (115) and yards (1,498). (Getty)

With 2 weeks left the in the NFL’s regular season, the North Division title and both wild card spots are up for grabs in the AFC.

Just so happens the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers have a heavy interest in this situation.

Despite a recent a 3-game skid, the Chiefs (8-6) are still in contention for a wild card spot. A win Sunday in Pittsburgh and they’ll be in good shape. A loss and that window is thisclose to being shut.

Pittsburgh (9-5) currently holds one of the wild card spots. But the Steelers are still in play to win the AFC North, where they are tied with the Ravens for 2nd, a half-game behind the Bengals.

The playoff picture is still a bit muddled, but will become much clearer after Week 16.

Here’s what you need to know about the Chiefs-Steelers game:


The Basics

Who:
Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers

When:
Sunday, 1 p.m. Eastern

Channel:
CBS

Where:
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh

Line:
Steelers (-3) – Line provided by bovada.lv

Last Meeting:
Steelers 16, Chiefs 13 (OT), Nov. 12, 2012, Pittsburgh


Scouting Kansas City

It’s been a typical Chiefs season on offense – clean, efficient play from quarterback Alex Smith (18 touchdowns passes vs. 6 interceptions) and the dual-threat production from running back Jamaal Charles (9 rushing TDs, 5 receiving). This season, though, the emergence of running back Knile Davis (438 yards, 6 TDs) and tight end Travis Kelce (56 receptions, 5 TDs) have taken some of the burden off Smith and Charles.

Where the production isn’t coming from is the wide receivers. Dwayne Bowe and his fellow wideouts have yet to score a touchdown this season.

But that’s where the Steelers have been most vulnerable – against the pass. They give up over 250 pass yards per game and have allowed 28 touchdowns passes with only 9 interceptions.

Charles and Kelce will get their touches and targets, but Smith will need Bowe and Co. to step up.

The Chiefs’ defense enters tied for 4th-best in the league at 18.1 points allowed per game and 8th in total defense at 331.8 yards. The unit will need to be ready because the Steelers are bringing one of the better NFL offenses to the field.


Scouting Pittsburgh

These days the “Steel Curtain” isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Pittsburgh. It’s Ben Roethlisberger and that high-octane offense. The Steelers lead the league in yards per game (424.9) and time of possession (33:10), surprising for a team which ranks 4th in passing attempts per game (39.1). It means they complete a lot of their passes (67.2% for Roethlisberger).

Big Ben has set the franchise record and is second in the NFL with 4,415 passing yards. He is on pace to throw a career-low in interceptions over a full 16-game season – he has tossed only 8. It’s no secret who’s getting the ball on offense. Wide receiver Antonio Brown is proving to be one of the best in the league (115-1,498-11 TDs) and Le’Veon Bell has been even more productive than Charles as a dual-threat running back (1,278 yards rushing, 765 receiving on 76 receptions).

Over the past 2 months, the Steelers are 6-2 (3-1 at home) and the offense has been nearly unstoppable, averaging 33 ppg.

Defense is what the Chiefs do best, especially in the passing game, the Steelers’ offensive fortay. But over their past 2 months, KC hasn’t exactly been challenged, facing only 1 top 10 scoring offense (a 29-16 loss to Denver).


Heavy’s Pick

The Chiefs are desperate. If they lose, they’re pretty much toast in the AFC playoff chase. So you know the motivation will be there. On the other hand, the Steelers are in with a win. And they can do it in front of their home fans. So they’ve got something to play for as well.

Motivation does come into play. But mostly this game is going to be decided by the actual play. The Chiefs can’t go touchdown-for-touchdown with the Steelers – they don’t have the weapons. But can the Chiefs slow down the Steelers to give themselves a chance? Slow, yes. Stop, no.

Roethlisberger isn’t going to have his best day, but Bell is the X-Factor and the Steelers get the W and clinch their spot in the AFC Playoffs.

Steelers 23, Chiefs 16