Kansas City Cheifs will take on Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL 2021 Week 16 action on Sunday afternoon. The home side wants to secure the top spot in their division ahead of the playoffs. The visitors want to continue challenging the post-season ticket, and they will search for a surprise.
Kansas City has been among the best NFL teams lately, and their form has been perfect in the past weeks. The hosts want to keep up where they left off and continue with excellent displays. On the other hand, Pittsburgh is still in the game to win their division, and they are highly motivated ahead of this game. Although the opponent is very tough, the away side will give its best to secure a positive result.
Kansas City Chiefs – Will their excellent streak continue?
The Chiefs didn’t have an encouraging start to the season, but they stabilized their form and celebrated seven times in a row. That run launched them to the top of the AFC West, having a 10-4 record and two wins ahead of the Chargers. Kansas City comes to this match after beating Los Angeles in the top-spot battle when they gained 496 yards in the offense. Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to the victory by throwing for 410 yards and finding the end zone three times.
Kansas City’s starting quarterback has gone 4,052 yards through the air, with 30 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, while he was sacked 25 times. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is the Chiefs’ best rusher with 490 yards and three TDs, while Darrel Williams and Patrick Mahomes have gained 300+ rushing yards each. Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce have dominated the receiving corps, combining for 2,244 yards and 16 touchdown receptions. However, they are listed out for this match and won’t be able to help. On the other hand, Nick Bolton has a team-high 102 tackles, while Chris Jones logged seven sacks.
Expected Line-Up (Offense): Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Tyreek Hill, Byron Pringle, Mecole Hardman, Blake Bell, Michael Burton, Orlando Brown Jr., Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Kyle Long, Lucas Niang
Expected Line-Up (Defense): Mike Danna, Jarran Reed, Derrick Nnadi, Frank Clark, Nick Bolton, Anthony Hitchens, Melvin Ingram III, Rashad Fenton, Tyrann Mathieu, Juan Thornhill, Mike Hughes
Quarter Back: Patrick Mahomes
Kicker: Elliott Fry
with best odds
Pittsburgh Steelers – Can they produce a surprise?
The Steelers have not been too consistent lately, but they are still fighting for the top spot in the AFC North. They booked two wins on the previous three occasions and improved to a 7-6 record. Pittsburgh goes to this game after beating the Titans 19-13, despite gaining only 168 yards in the offense. Their rivals turned the ball over four times, which helped the Steelers a lot to come out as the winners.
Ben Roethlisberger has thrown for 3,214 yards this season, with 19 TDs and seven picks. Najee Harris has dominated the ground game for the Steelers, gaining 891 rushing yards and six scores. On the other hand, no other player produced 100 or more rushing yards. Diontae Johnson leads the receiving department with 1,028 yards and six touchdown receptions, while Chase Claypool has 765 receiving yards and a score. Defensively, Minkah Fitzpatrick is Pittsburgh’s leading tackler with 102, while T.J. Watt sacked the opponent’s QBs 17.5 times.
Expected Line-Up (Offense): Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, Ray-Ray McCloud, Zach Gentry, Derek Watt, Dan Moore Jr., Joe Haeg, Kendrick Green, Trai Turner, Chukwuma Okorafor
Expected Line-Up (Defense): Carlos Davis, Henry Mondeaux, Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt, Devin Bush, Joe Schobert, Alex Highsmith, Joe Haden, Terrell Edmunds, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cameron Sutton
Quarter Back: Ben Roethlisberger
Kicker: Chris Boswell
Expert Pick #1 – Pittsburgh Steelers +8.5 @-110
The Chiefs are strong favorites in this one, and they should win this match, but I believe the Steelers could keep it close. Kansas City will miss its leading two receivers, while Pittsburgh hasn’t been outplayed many times this season. I’ll take the Steelers ATS as my first pick.
Expert Pick #2 – Under 45 @-110
Although the Over cashed in three of the last five matches for both sides, the Under will be my second bet. Kansas City has been pretty disciplined in the back on their ground, while the Steelers gained less than 200 yards in the offense last weekend.
Expert Pick #3 – Steelers Under 19 @-135
Consequently, for the third pick, I’ll focus on the total line for the visitors. The Chiefs allowed a one-digit number of points to their opponents four times in a row at Arrowhead Stadium, while Pittsburgh had offensive troubles last time. The odds are shorter compared to the first two bets, but I’ll take the Steelers Under 19.
