Bold Predictions: Week 6 – Steelers vs. Chiefs

by Joe Kuzma (joe_kuzma) on October 13, 2017

Back to the lab again! Your crazy mad scientist is cooking up another batch of bold predictions and this week the burners in the laboratory are set to HOT!

Last week I pegged the Steelers defense to force at least three sacks: they only got two. I also thought they could force at least two turnovers… they only got one.

It was a disappointing day for a number of reasons. My prediction of Leonard Fournette getting just over 100 yards would’ve come true had Pittsburgh not given up a late 90-yard touchdown run, which essentially doubled the Jaguars’ running back’s total on the day.

I also fell flat on Le’Veon Bell gaining over 200 all-purpose yards and the Steelers winning by 20. Really, the only prediction which was accurate was Antonio Brown catching at least five passes, following his “interaction” with a Gatorade jug on the sideline. (AB doubled that prediction with ten receptions, by the way.)

This week, I want to peel back some of the conservative concepts and go for broke, because I think, wholeheartedly, the Steelers must do the same.

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Two receivers top 100 yards

Yep. I’m saying it. I know the weekend Ben Roethlisberger had last week and I believe he’s going to come out gunslinging, just as Mike Tomlin said he was ready to in his weekly press conference.

Antonio Brown will be one beneficiary, but I’m not sure about the second player to top 100. It could be Le’Veon Bell, Martavis Bryant, or… wait for it… a returning Eli Rogers?

Told you these were hot takes…

Ben tops 400 yards passing

Everyone is scared of the Kansas City Chiefs. Yet, the Steelers beat them twice last season, including a dominant 43-14 win at Heinz Field.

The Steelers only kicked field goals to win at Arrowhead in last season’s playoffs, but I have to think this team is primed to go, with Ben practicing on Wednesday this week and the offensive line should have all of their starters back on Sunday.

All systems are go for a big game from Big Ben.

Bell tops 200

Yeah, I think he’s going to catch passes, but I also believe the Steelers get back to running the football.

Don’t forget that Bell ran for 144 and 170 yards against KC in the two games last season: add that to my Ben prediction and someone has to catch those balls out of the backfield.

200 for Bell.

Steelers win by two scores

I’m bullish this week, but I think Kansas City can score on the Steelers, so I’m not ready to say there’ll be another 43-14 game on Sunday.

The Steelers should finally reach 30 points by hook or by crook, and I think they can at least win by ten points.

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Kareem Hunt shutdown

KC didn’t have the most success running the ball against the Steelers last season, and I truly believe Hunt is a product of the Andy Reid system: Brian Westbrook, Spencer Ware, etc.

What would be a good figure here?

I’d like to see the Steelers hold Hunt to 80 or less on the ground, and no scores.

Alex Smith throws two touchdown passes

Gotta happen. It’s his average this season and about the same average, he has against Pittsburgh. I don’t see much else. It really all depends on if Travis Kelce plays, but with Tyreek Hill and some other role players, KC is capable of scoring a couple of times.