Steelers Open as 10-Point Underdogs, First Time with Ben Roethlisberger at QB Since 2007

The Pittsburgh Steelers have opened as 10.5-point underdogs to the Chiefs for their Dec. 26 trip to Kansas City, according to odds posted on Sunday by BetOnline.ag.

The line is the largest in a Pittsburgh game this season, eclipsing a seven-point spread between the Steelers and Chicago Bears. The Steelers have been 6.5-point underdogs twice.

Pittsburgh has not been a 10-point underdog since closing as a 10.5-point long shot against the Cleveland Browns in Week 16 of 2020, when the team rested most of its starters. The Steelers lost that game by two points, 24-22.

In a game where Ben Roethlisberger was expected to play at quarterback, the last time the Steelers were a double-digit dark horse was at New England in 2007. The Steelers lost that game, 34-13.

This season, the Steelers are 6-8 against the spread. As underdogs, they are 5-2 with four outright victories, including as 6.5-point underdogs at Buffalo in the season opener.

The Chiefs are 7-7 against the spread and have been favored in all 14 games. They’re just 3-5 against the spread at home, however, and have lost twice at home this season.

The total for the game opened at 46.5 points. The Steelers have gone under eight times, over five times and pushed the total once. The Chiefs have been split right down the middle, seven and seven.