Steelers to roar back
Pittsburgh will take it out on the Chiefs
One look at Mike Tomlin’s face at the conclusion of last week’s 34-3 beatdown in Philadelphia — Pittsburgh’s worst loss in 27 years — and you knew the Steelers would be in for a brutal week of practice.
Tomlin had multiple targets to focus his anger on: A coaching staff whose game plan was ill-conceived and poorly executed; an offense that was held to its lowest point total in five years; and a defense that failed to pressure Philly rookie quarterback Carson Wentz, tackled like chumps and took several foolish penalties.
Pittsburgh fans can expect a sharper performance, and effort, this Sunday when Kansas City visits Heinz Field. The running game should get a lift from Le’Veon Bell’s return to the lineup following a three-game suspension, and that should open up the deep passing game for Ben Roethlisberger.
The Steelers are 41⁄ 2- point favorites and get our call to right the ship in this nationally-televised Sunday night showcase. Lay the points. In other games: SUNDAY Jacksonville (+2 1⁄2) over Indianapolis (in London) — After playing in England for the past three years, the Jags should know better than most NFL teams how to prepare for the change in venue. Winless Jacksonville desperately needs it, and the struggling Colts look like perfect victims. Take the points. Cleveland (+7) over WASHINGTON — The Redskins finally broke into the win column last week, but a touchdown-plus spread seems a heavy load for a 1-2 team to carry. PATRIOTS (-6) over Buffalo — With Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett both practicing, the QB situation may not be as desperate as portrayed. Besides, the real key will be the Pats defense vs. the Bills anemic offense. Can the Pats give Tom Brady a 4-0 start? Yes, they can! NEW YORK JETS (+21⁄ 2) over Seattle — Both these teams are banged up, but home field and the need to bounce back from last week’s horror show in Kansas City makes the Jets a live home ’dog.
Carolina (-3) over ATLANTA — Look for the Panthers to work on their pass blocking after franchise QB Cam Newton was sacked eight times by the Vikings. Things should be easier against the Falcons, averaging just one sack per game. Detroit (-3) over CHICAGO — QB Matthew Stafford is off to a hot start and the Lions are averaging 27 points per game. That’s more than enough offense to get past the 0-3 Bears.
HOUSTON (-41⁄ 2) over Tennessee — The task will be a lot tougher with Pro Bowler J.J. Watt on injured reserve but, with three extra days to stew over their poor play against the Patriots, look for the Texans to take no prisoners here. Oakland (+3) over BALTIMORE — This is the third cross-country trip in four weeks for the Raiders. They won in New Orleans and Tennessee, and should keep the score close against the unbeaten Ravens. Denver (-3) over TAMPA BAY — The Bucs have talent but they are constantly plagued by turnovers and penalties. Those miscues will cost them dearly against the defending Super Bowl champs. Dallas (-2) over SAN FRANCISCO — The Dallas offense hasn’t skipped a beat with rookie QB Dak Prescott running the show. The Pokes will have their way with a San Fran team coming off back-to-back 19-point losses to Carolina and Seattle. SAN DIEGO (-41⁄ 2) over
New Orleans — San Diego seems to lose a star player every week to injury, but somehow QB Philip Rivers finds a way to keep them in every game. Look for the Bolts to pull away from a Saints team with a leaky defense and traveling to the West Coast off a Monday nighter. ARIZONA (-8) over Los Angeles — The 1-2 Cards have been a Jekyll-Hyde team in 2016, but they should be primed for a big effort after last week’s no-show loss in Buffalo. MONDAY MINNESOTA (-5) over New York Giants — Sam Bradford is off to a flying start with the Vikings, completing 40-of-59 passes for 457 yards and three TDs, More importantly Minny has won the two games he’s started. He’ll go for the hat trick over the Giants.
Last week: 3-12-1 Season: 17-30-1