NFL Week 4: Five best bets

Pittsburgh Steelers (-5) vs. Kansas City Chiefs

FiftyFourPercent:

Expect the Steelers’ offense to be much better this week than it was against the surprising Eagles with Le’Veon Bell back from suspension. Marcus Peters already has established himself as a premier cornerback, but the Chiefs lack depth in the secondary. Ben Roethlisberger can take advantage of that with a deep pass-catching group headed by Antonio Brown, the No. 1 wide receiver in football, especially with the threat of Bell now in the backfield.

This could be the week that Jamaal Charles makes his season debut giving Alex Smith not only an upper tier running back but a dangerous receiving threat out of the backfield. Kansas City could really feel the absence of its top pass rusher, Justin Houston, in this match-up.

Glauser:

And now, Steeler Nation, let’s discuss football’s “What The Eff Was That?” Game of the Week. Regardless of how legitimate the Eagles may turn out to be (and as a Birds fan, it really feels good typing that), that was a poop show of epic proportions for Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger looked frazzled and struggled the entire contest to locate a receiver not named Antonio Brown. And in turn, Philly may have given the rest of the NFL some valuable scouting film on how to play one of the league’s most dynamic offenses. Even more concerning, however, was how their defense was manhandled by a rookie quarterback and a couple young, anonymous running backs.

Meanwhile, a win for the Chiefs here may give them true contender status, at least until the playoffs when Andy Reid does Andy Reid things (and there’s the bitter Birds fan in me coming out). Smith has quietly become one of the better game managers out there (though continuing to get sacked three times a game may test that) and the defense is a straight-up turnover machine.

Next: NFL Week 4: Fantasy Position Rankings

The biggest story line here could be the season debuts of two of best running backs in the game in Bell and Charles, as RB-depleted fantasy owners rejoice across the land. Bell, returning from suspension is a given. Charles, returning from injury, might be a game-time decision, which may also affect the line.