Oct 1, 2016 5 min read

The Steelers not only lost a game last week in Philadelphia, they lost some of their swagger.

And maybe that’s a good thing.

The Steelers’ wins in their first two games masked some of the team’s deficiencies, namely the lack of a pass rush, trouble tackling in the secondary and some of the secondary receivers’ inconsistencies.

The pass rush will get better. Guys such as Cam Heyward, Stephon Tuitt and even an aging James Harrison have proven track records in that respect. The Steelers aren’t going to finish this season with five or six sacks – the pace at which they are currently on.

To that point, the Chiefs have allowed Alex Smith to be sacked nine times in the first three weeks.

The matter of the secondary receivers should get a boost this week, as well, with the return of Le’Veon Bell. Bell was the team’s second-leading receiver in 2014, catching 83 passes. He’s as valuable in that respect as any running back in the NFL.

The tackling issues, however, are something the Steelers can’t just flip a switch and make better.

Young defensive backs Artie Burns and Sean Davis are struggling with the adjustment to the NFL and it snowballed last week to the point where even usually sure-handed tacklers such as William Gay had issues.

But Davis likely won’t play today against the Chiefs after being sidelined with a back injury all week – it must have been wrenched while he was getting turned around six times on Darren Sproles’ 73-yard TD catch against the Eagles.

The Steelers failed a test last week against the Eagles, but they’ll get a chance to retake it today against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Eagles and Chiefs run almost identical offenses. Philadelphia’s head coach, Doug Pederson, was the offensive coordinator under Andy Reid in Kansas City prior to taking the job with the Eagles.

So, the Steelers can expect to see a lot of the same things they did last week in Philadelphia. And why not? After all, it worked.

The difference this time around is the offense should hold up its end of the bargain better than it did in Philadelphia last week. The offense couldn’t play any worse.

Recent history shows Ben Roethlisberger is a much better quarterback at home than he is on the road.

How much so? Over the last three seasons, he’s thrown 42 touchdown passes against 13 interceptions in home games. On the road, those numbers fall to 17 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

That is drastic.

Roethlisberger also has thrown 22 touchdown passes and five interceptions while averaging 290 yards passing in his last 10 games coming off a loss. The Steelers are 10-0 in those games.

The Steelers should bounce back and win at home in prime time, where they are 21-7 at home in such games since Heinz Field opened in 2001.

But with a banged-up defense, expect the Chiefs to keep it close, but not close enough.

Pittsburgh is a 4 1/2 -point favorite in this game and I like the Steelers to win, 27-20.

Browns had a chance at a win last week in Miami. Don’t think they’ll come close two in a row.

Take Washington, 27-17

Carolina allowed eight sacks last week in a loss to Minnesota.

Atlanta doesn’t rush the passer well.

Take Carolina, 30-20

The Jets turned the ball over eight times on 11 possessions last week against Kansas City but will keep this close.

Take the Jets to cover in a 21-20 loss

It seemingly doesn’t matter who plays QB for the Patriots. Makes you wonder how good Tom Brady actually is.

Take New England, 20-10

The Jaguars were close last week against Baltimore, but close doesn’t cut it in the NFL.

Take the Jaguars to cover in a 26-24 loss

This shows how much the Bears have fallen on hard times. Don’t expect the Lions to feel sorry for them.

Take Detroit, 26-20

Will there be a J.J. Watt-related letdown for the Texans? Not against Tennessee, especially after getting embarrassed at New England.

Take Houston, 24-17

The Raiders were 6-18 in the past five years in 1 p.m. starts in the Eastern Time Zone but 2-0 in those starts this season.

Take Oakland, 23-20

The Broncos apparently are good enough to be 4-0. The defense is very good once again and Trevor Siemian showed he can win on the road.

Take Tampa Bay to cover in a 23-20 loss

No Tony Romo or Dez Bryant typically ends up in a loss for the Cowboys.

Take San Francisco, 20-17

The last time the Chargers hosted the Saints, Drew Brees threw four TD passes for San Diego in a 43-17 win.

Take San Diego, 31-24

Carson Palmer looks off, but he’s at home against an offensively challenged team.

Take Arizona, 26-13

The Vikings defense is very good and Sam Bradford is playing out of his mind.

Take Minnesota, 30-21

Last Week: 4-10-1 ATS; 6-9 Straight up

Overall: 14-30-1 ATS; 21-24 Straight up

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