Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: NFL Preseason Week 3 Betting Odds and Preview

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Saturday, 8/24/13, 7:30 PM EST, TV: N/A
Opening Point Spread: Pittsburgh -3
Current Betting Line: Pittsburgh -3
Opening Total: 40.5
Current Total: 40
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 0-2 SUATS in the 2013 NFL preseason

Kansas City has dropped the first two games of its 2013 NFL preseason schedule, including a 15-13 setback to the San Francisco 49ers on Aug. 16, while going UNDER the betting total in each of those contests. The Chiefs continue to learn a new defense under coordinator Bob Sutton, who likes to be more aggressive than the previous system under former head coach Romeo Crennel. Over the last five years, the unit has total just 127 sacks in 80 regular-season games. Kansas City has failed to cover its last six opportunities in Week 3 of the exhibition season—something to consider when making your NFL betting picks Saturday.

The Chiefs are looking for improvement from their offensive line in protecting new quarterback Alex Smith, who was sacked three times and was under constant pressure last time out. Kansas City has been tremendous in terms of special teams in its first two games under first-year head coach Andy Reid, which can’t be ignored when looking over the NFL betting lines. Offensively, the No. 2 wide receiver spot is still up for grabs, while Dexter McCluster will see plenty of time in the slot position.

Pittsburgh is 0-2 straight up and against the spread thus far, with the UNDER cashing in each of those affairs. The Steelers watched rookie running back Le’Veon Bell go down with a foot injury in a 24-13 defeat to the Washington Redskins last week, as he was positioned as a co-starter with Isaac Redman in that position. In the first half, the squad outgained Washington with 73 rushing yards on 18 attempts compared to 19 yards on seven attempts.

The Steelers are 5-1 during Week 3 of the preseason over the previous six years, as it tries to avoid losing consecutive home games before the regular season for the first time since 2006. “We need to get better in a hurry,” commented Tomlin. Pittsburgh is hoping for a turnaround season on the offensive end after finishing 21st overall a season ago, with offensive coordinator Todd Haley entering his second year with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.