Kansas City (14-1) will be facing off against Pittsburgh (10-5) this upcoming Wednesday at 1 p.m. EST, available for streaming on Netflix. According to BetMGM, the Chiefs are favored by 2.5 points for this matchup. Throughout the season, the Chiefs have a record of 7-8 against the spread, while the Steelers stand at 10-5. Historically, the Steelers have the advantage in the series, leading with a 25-14 record. The last encounter took place on January 16, 2022, when the Chiefs defeated the Steelers 42-21 in the playoff’s first round held in Kansas City. Last week, the Chiefs managed to defeat the Texans with a score of 27-19, while the Steelers suffered a loss to the Ravens with a score of 34-17.
When looking at team statistics, the Chiefs’ offense ranks 13th overall, with their rushing attack in the 15th spot and passing at 12th. They are 11th in scoring. On the defensive end, the Chiefs are performing exceptionally well, ranking 3rd overall, 3rd in rushing defense, and 17th in passing, with a strong scoring defense also ranked 3rd. Meanwhile, the Steelers’ offense is positioned 19th overall, with their rushing and passing games at 11th and 25th, respectively, and they sit 12th in scoring. The Steelers’ defensive stats reveal they are 11th overall, 8th in rushing, 20th in passing, and 7th in scoring defense. The turnover differential also favors the Steelers at plus-16, compared to the Chiefs’ plus-4.
On the Chiefs side, keep an eye on wide receiver Marquise Brown. After an injury sidelined him during the preseason, he made a notable comeback last week against the Texans, catching five passes for 45 yards. His performance included a significant fourth-down conversion early in the game. His presence on the field is likely to make an impact, as it may prevent the Steelers from focusing too heavily on other key players like Xavier Worthy, DeAndre Hopkins, and Travis Kelce.
For the Steelers, linebacker T.J. Watt is the player to watch. Currently nursing an ankle injury, Watt had a subdued outing against the Ravens, recording only four tackles and failing to pressure quarterback Lamar Jackson. For the Steelers to have a shot at pulling off an upset against Kansas City, disrupting quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be paramount, and Watt will need to perform like the All-Pro he is known to be. He leads the NFL in forced fumbles, which could be critical in generating turnovers.
A key matchup to look for will be between the Steelers running backs, Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris, against the Chiefs’ rushing defense, ranked third in the league and allowing just 91.4 yards per game. In their recent game, the Chiefs held Joe Mixon of the Texans to only 57 yards, following a pattern this season of effectively shutting down prominent running backs.
In terms of injuries, the Chiefs may be without left tackle D.J. Humphries (hamstring) and cornerback Chamarri Conner (concussion) again. Defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf) and right tackle Jawaan Taylor (knee) are both questionable after sustaining injuries against Houston. The Steelers, on the other hand, expect to reinstate wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) after a three-game absence. Safety DeShon Elliott and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi may also return. However, starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and backup wide receiver Ben Skowronek will remain sidelined due to injuries.
Historically, while the Steelers have a dominant hold on the series, they have lost their last three games against the Chiefs. The last victory against Kansas City was an 18-16 win in the divisional playoffs back in January 2017. The upcoming game represents a crucial moment for the Steelers, who seek to win their first AFC North title since 2020. Kansas City has the opportunity to clinch the No. 1 seed in the playoffs with a win or a loss/tie by the Bills against the Jets.
As for fantasy football, if you’re in a league with playoffs taking place this week, you may want to consider starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Despite a “down” season, he boasts a history of success against the Steelers, making him a reliable choice.
Overall, this matchup promises to be an exciting contest with significant playoff implications for both teams.
