SNF – Steelers vs Chiefs Week 12 Gambling Preview
When the Pittsburgh Steelers take the field this Sunday night under the Primetime spotlight, they will be looking to make a statement against a battered and bruised Kansas City Chiefs’ team.
Venue/Stadium: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Time/Date: 8:20 PM ET – Sunday November 27, 2011
NFL Odds from Bodog
Money Line:
Spread (ATS): Steelers -10.5
Over/Under: 40
The defending AFC champions are back following a slow start, and while they still need to find a way to take down the division rival Baltimore Ravens, they seem to be just fine against the rest of the conference at this point.
The Steelers come off of their bye rested and well prepared to make their move in the AFC, and it couldn’t come at a better time with their five of their six remaining games against teams that currently have losing records.
That includes a Chiefs’ team that has not only lost three straight, but will also be without their starting quarterback in Matt Cassel.
Backup Tyler Palko took over for Kansas City last week, and responded by completing just over half of his passes with three interceptions against one of the league’s worst secondary’s.
Trailing for most of that game the Chiefs could not afford to rely on their running game, and that will be the case again this week against a tough Steelers’ run defense. Injuries have also wreaked havoc on the Kansas City defense throughout the season, and the result is a unit that ranks 28th against the rush and has allowed at least 31 points in two of their past three losses. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
While the media was quick to blame the “Super Bowl hangover” as the reason for Pittsburgh’s struggles, five of the Steelers’ seven wins have come by at least seven points and they seem to be fine against teams other than the Ravens.
The black and gold defense has come together through a myriad of injuries and ranks sixth against the rush, and surprisingly third against the pass.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has avoided the costly mistakes at crucial times in games that hurt his team in the past, and head coach Mike Tomlin has told the media that he doesn’t believe a fractured right thumb will have a negative impact on his play this Sunday.
Late Note: The Chiefs picked up Kyle Orton this week off of waivers from Denver. No word yet on whether he’ll start Sunday vs. the Steelers.
NFL Betting Pick: Steelers
