Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Kansas City Chiefs Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Kansas City Chiefs (1-5) will look to break a five-game losing streak both straight up and against the spread when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) Sunday. The Steelers are expected to give quarterback Landry Jones his first career start due to injuries to Ben Roethlisberger (knee) and Michael Vick (hamstring), and they are 4-0 straight up and against the spread in the past four road meetings with the Chiefs during the month of October.

Point spread: The Steelers opened as two-point favorites; the total wasn't listed early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (view line updates and matchup report here).

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 24.2-20.6 Chiefs

Why the Steelers can cover the spread

Much like last week, Pittsburgh’s best course of action to get a victory is to play good defense and not make mistakes on offense. While that is much easier said than done, it worked perfectly as the game plan for last Sunday’s 25-13 upset win over the Arizona Cardinals. The Steelers were 5.5-point home underdogs and came through despite losing Vick. Jones filled in nicely for him and should be ready for his first start.

It also helps to have one of the NFL’s best running backs in Le’Veon Bell, who can expect to be more involved in the passing game after being held without a catch against the Cardinals. Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown are among the top players at their respective positions, and Jones will do a much better job of utilizing both of them versus a Kansas City team that has struggled defensively for most of the season.

Why the Chiefs can cover the spread

The Chiefs have one of the loudest home fields in the league, yet they are still searching for their first home victory this year. Granted, they have played just two home games so far and lost both by a combined eight points, so maybe the third time will be the charm.

Regardless, Kansas City must use the crowd noise to disrupt Jones, who has never played in an environment quite like this, even dating back to his college days at Oklahoma. Needless to say, it will be a challenging first career start for him.

Offensively, the Chiefs will need to run the ball better and should get the opportunity against a Pittsburgh defense that has given up a lot of yardage at times. With Jamaal Charles out for the season due to a torn ACL, look for running backs Charcandrick West and Knile Davis to improve upon their weak efforts last week against the Minnesota Vikings.

Smart pick

Kansas City is due for an old-school performance at home and will either get to face an inexperienced Jones or injured Roethlisberger if he finds a way to play. The Chiefs are known to rush the passer and will pressure either one of them into some mistakes. The Steelers will be overwhelmed on the road and see their two-game winning streak end.

Betting trends

The Chiefs are 0-5 straight up and against the spread in their last five games.

The Steelers are 4-0-1 against the spread in their last five games on the road.

The Chiefs are 0-4 straight up and against the spread in their last four games after a loss.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.