Nov 10, 2012 4 min read

The next month will make or break the Steelers in 2012.

Not only do the Steelers play the Ravens twice in the next four games, but they also play five consecutive AFC games.

It’s nice to win games against NFC teams – the Steelers are the only AFC unbeaten against the NFC this season – but the reality is that those victories aren’t as meaningful as conference wins.

All three of Pittsburgh’s losses this season have been to AFC teams – a key tiebreaker. So not only do the Steelers need to start putting together more wins, they also need to do so against AFC teams.

Tucked in between a big win over the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants and a meeting with the Baltimore Ravens next week, some might consider Monday night’s game against Kansas City as a trap game for the Steelers.

“I hate that, the whole letdown game-type thing because everyone knows that any week in this league, any team is good and any team can be bad and anybody can win,” said Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. “We just have to go out and approach it like we need to play Steelers football. It doesn’t matter who we play; we need to go play Steelers football.”

But there’s a reason why the Steelers are 12 ½-point favorites to beat the Chiefs.

With 29 turnovers, 10 more than any other team, Kansas City has earned its 1-7 record.

In fact, the Chiefs are the first team in more than 80 years to not have held a lead during regulation through eight games – their only victory came in overtime.

In other words, Kansas City stinks.

The Steelers might have another stumble left in them this season – like their losses at Oakland and Tennessee – but it won’t be in this game, at home Monday night. The Steelers have won 14 consecutive Monday night home games.

They’ll make it 15.

Take the Steelers, 31-10

Back-to-back road games for the Broncos makes this a dangerous game. But Peyton Manning is playing awfully well.

Take Denver, 23-17

The Lions struggle to win at Minnesota every year. But Minnesota quarterback Christian Ponder has been awful of late and won’t have Percy Harvin.

Take Detroit, 24-16

A battle of one-loss heavyweights. Have to go with the home team.

Take Chicago, 27-20

The Falcons and Saints have a real rivalry, fueled by a solid hate for each other. The Saints have won 10 of the past 12 meetings.

Take Atlanta, 31-27

The Patriots have owned the Bills over the past decade, something that won’t change. It’s a lot of points, but …

Take the Patriots, 38-24

The Raiders aren’t very good on the East Coast, while the Ravens are a different team at home.

Take Baltimore, 27-17

The Eagles held the Cowboys to seven points in each of their 2011 meetings. Not this time around.

Take Dallas, 27-23

St. Louis’ defense is too good for this spread to be this big.

Take St. Louis to cover in a 20-13 loss

The sliding Bengals get Manning brothers in back-to-back weeks.

Take Cincinnati to cover in a 24-21 loss

The Chargers on the road are average at best. The Chargers on the East Coast are awful.

Take Tampa Bay, 24-17

Miami’s defense is terrible against the pass. Tennessee gets Jake Locker back this week.

Tennessee to cover in a 23-20 loss

This just in, players voted Rex Ryan the league’s most overrated coach. There’s a shock.

Take Seattle, 17-10

Last Week: 8-4 ATS; 7-5 Straight up

Overall: 54-62-5 ATS; 72-50 Straight up

F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.