2021 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 16

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (10-4)

Sunday, December 26, 4:25PM ET

Despite all of their struggles this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are managing to remain relevant as we come down the final stretch. Unfortunately, a matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs could prove too much to overcome for this unbalanced Pittsburgh squad.

It’s not that the Steelers are bad. In fact, they’ve shown far more fight this season than I originally expected. However, the offense is sluggish, due in large part of the struggles of the front five. Ben Roethlisberger is consistently under pressure, and Najee Harris hasn’t been able to get going as of late. Against Kansas City’s defense, I’d expect more of the same.

The only thing that could keep the Steelers in this one is their defense, which has been a lifesaver for this franchise in 2021. With that said, this Chiefs offense has been nearly unstoppable in recent weeks. With Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and Clyde Edwards-Helaire all playing some of their best football, I’m expecting the Chiefs to score early and often.

The Steelers aren’t out of it yet, but a loss here is going to make a postseason berth that much more difficult to earn. Kansas City keeps their winning streak going, giving even more evidence to suggest that they’re now the team to beat in the AFC.

Prediction: Chiefs win 33-26 | Spread: N/A