Steelers vs. Chiefs 2021 NFL Week 16 Odds, Analysis and Prediction

By Carlos Chacon • December 23, 2021

There’s a ton at stake for both sides of Week 16’s showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Although the Chiefs are currently the best team in the AFC record-wise, their position atop the conference is always in danger given how not far behind the rest of the AFC pack is, especially with the likes of the Steelers still hanging around in the wild card picture.

NitroBetting is ready to equip its bettors with all the latest previews and odds for Week 16 of the 2021 NFL season. This time, we look at the blockbuster AFC clash between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Find out more about the teams and the key players, event information, the latest NFL odds, and of course, helpful betting trends and expert betting predictions.

Steelers vs. Chiefs Game Information

When: Sunday, December 26, 2021, 4:25 PM ET
Where: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
TV: CBS
Radio: WDVE-FM 102.5 (Steelers) / 106.5 The Wolf WDAF-FM (Chiefs)
Live Stream:NFL Game Pass
NFL Odds: Steelers (+7) / Chiefs (-7)

Why Bet on the Pittsburgh Steelers?

It was another ugly win for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15, as they barely hung on to a 19-13 home win over AFC South leaders, the Tennessee Titans. With its second victory in three weeks, Pittsburgh is just half-a-game shy of the final wild card spot in the AFC as well as the top of the AFC North standings.

The Steelers amassed four takeaways that afternoon whilst not committing a single turnover themselves against a relatively stout Titans defense. The NFL’s current sack leader T.J. Watt registered 1.5 sacks and recovered a fumble against Tennessee’s Ryan Tannehill, as Pittsburgh’s once-feared stop unit from the previous season is slowly returning to form.

Unfortunately, the team’s offense is still tenuous at best with aged quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the helm. Roethlisberger went just 16 of 25 for 148 passing yards without a passing touchdown, although he did score a TD on a QB sneak at the goal line during the third quarter. What’s worse is that the Steelers racked up just 35 rushing yards on 17 carries, with stud rookie running back Najee Harris being completely shut down (12 carries for 18 yards). Harris’ season-worst rushing performance could not have come at a worst time as the Steelers, who’ll likely need to win out the rest of the regular season just for a shot at making the playoffs.

Why Bet on the Kansas City Chiefs?

There’s no hotter team in the NFL right now than the Kansas City Chiefs, who’ve won seven in a row and are now in sole possession of the first seed in the AFC playoff picture. Although the Chiefs needed overtime to dispatch their own division rivals in the Los Angeles Chargers this past week, 34-28, they’re still widely regarded as the frontrunners to represent the conference in Super Bowl LVI.

Patrick Mahomes pulled out all the stops against the Chargers, throwing for 410 passing yards and three TDs along with one pick. Mahomes also tied Clyde Edwards-Helaire in rushing that game with 32 rushing yards on three carries. The Chiefs’ resurgent defense also held LA’s Justin Herbert to just 236 passing yards and 6.1 yards per completion whilst also forcing two key turnovers that afternoon.

The bad news out of KC’s camp, however, is that top receiving threats Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are expected to miss Sunday’s game against the Bills due to testing positive for COVID-19. With a depleted arsenal in the passing game, it’s time for Mahomes to get his other receivers involved, especially with Kansas City ground game ranking just 19th in the league averaging 115.6 rushing yards per game.

Steelers vs. Chiefs Betting Trends

The Steelers are 2-4 on the road this season (3-3 ATS).
The Steelers are 4-4 in games wherein they were underdogs to win this season (5-3 ATS).
The totals have gone over in each of Pittsburgh’s last three road games.
The Chiefs have won five straight games in Arrowhead to date (3-2 ATS).
The Chiefs are just 2-5 against the Steelers during the regular season since 2011 (4-3 ATS).
The totals have gone under in four of KC’s last five home games.

Steelers vs. Chiefs Expert Betting Predictions

At first glance, the Chiefs are clearly playing better football than the middling Steelers. However, the injuries to Hill and Kelce are huge blows for Kansas City’s offense. In turn, and with a full touchdown spread to cover as of this writing, Pittsburgh could very well pull off their third upset in a month, especially if the defense steps up again in aid of its inconsistent offense.

Check out our latest sports betting guides for the 2021 NFL Regular Season. Stay tuned for more Football previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest Football betting odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.