Chiefs vs. Steelers: AA writer predictions for NFL’s Week 16

The Kansas City Chiefs have crawled out of the hole they created. They’ve even climbed the biggest hill of the season. Now they only have three tests left to finish before they’re home free.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are visiting the Chiefs in the team’s final home game of the season at Arrowhead Stadium, and it will be the first time all year that the Chiefs will take the field anywhere as the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Last week, the Chiefs put away the L.A. Chargers on the road in overtime on Thursday night, and the Patriots and Titans fell on Sunday. That means the Chiefs woke up heading into Week 16 in full control of their own destiny (and that coveted first-round bye).

How will the Chiefs handle the Steelers? How will COVID affect the game? Our writers have weighed in with their predictions for Sunday, and we’d love to hear your takes in the comments.

Max Cashio

The Chiefs received all of the help they needed from the other AFC contenders in Week 15. KC owns the #1 seed and they control their own destiny. Pittsburgh is coming off a galvanizing win against Tennessee and won’t be an easy out. However, Kansas City should be healthy for this Week 16 bout. Chiefs 35, Steelers 10

Matt Conner

For a team that has clawed back and improved in every single facet of the game just to get back to where they were supposed to be when the season began, it’s hard to imagine they suddenly let that No. 1 seed slip out of their hands at the first chance they get. Chiefs 31, Steelers 18

Jake Kokoris

The Chiefs keep the Steelers under 300 yards of total offense, and Darrel Williams plus Clyde Edwards-Helaire combine for 150 rushing yards and a couple of scores to lead the Chiefs to victory. Chiefs 26, Steelers 16

Scott Loring

Neither team runs the ball particularly well, but neither is very good at stopping it, either. The good news for the Chiefs is that they’re better at both. The Chiefs rank 19th in rushing offense and rushing defense. But the Steelers rank 31st in both! The Chiefs win ugly in a bruiser as they make a concerted effort to minimize TJ Watt. Chiefs 22, Steelers 9

Ellen Mathis

The past weekend could not have gone any better for the Chiefs. The Steelers are riding high after two close victories, but the Chiefs will be getting their missing defensive players back after a mini-bye and control their own destiny. They won’t let this slip away. Chiefs 31, Steelers, 17

Hunter Stanton

While the Steelers did pull out a win against a weakened Titans team, their offense was stagnant throughout the game. They will not fare well against this fanatical Chiefs’ defense who should be at full strength as the Chiefs win their eighth straight game. Chiefs 27, Steelers 13

Grant Tuttle

The Chiefs are officially the NFL’s most dominant team. The other contenders either lost or eked out a win last week against a lesser opponent. The Chiefs are about to get healthy again and it may finally be time for the Melvin Ingram revenge game. Hold on to your hats, the Chiefs smell blood in the water and this Steelers team is not going to keep them from getting the 1 seed. Look for a big showing from the Kansas City defense and for Mahomes to methodically slay the Steelers defense. Chiefs 27, Steelers 7

Farzin Vousoughian

The Chiefs are now the betting favorites to win the Super Bowl. Expect them to play at a high level from here on out against a struggling and inconsistent Steelers team. Chiefs 38, Steelers 20