The Steelers head into Sunday nights match-up against the Kansas City Chiefs as heavy favorites. According to the oddsmakers the line initially had the Steelers favored by 10 points on the road against the Chiefs, but that line has now moved to as high as 11.5 in some other offshore books. The over-under number on the game is 40 points in most places.
The biggest contributing factor to the big spread is the loss of Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel, who is now out for the rest of the year with a broken throwing hand. Former University of Pittsburgh product Tyler Palko will make his second consecutive start for the Chiefs Sunday night. In his first start this past Monday night, Palko completed 24-of-37 passes for 230 yards, but also threw three interceptions and no touchdowns as the Chiefs lost to the Patriots 34-3. The big spread is also likely contributed to the Chiefs coming off a short week after playing Monday night.
Palko\’s lack of experience, coupled with the fact that the Steelers defense has allowed an average of just 17.9 points per game this season, put the odds highly against the Chiefs in this game. It is worth mentioning that the Steelers were 11.5 point favorites the last time these two teams met in 2009. The Chiefs won 27-24 in overtime at Arrowhead Stadium in a game that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was forced from after suffering a concussion.
