Chiefs Now Outright Favorite To Win AFC After Steelers Loss

• Following the first loss of the season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Kansas City Chiefs are now the outright favorite to win the AFC at -120 odds.
• Pittsburgh comes in at +350, with teams like the Buffalo Bills (+800), Tennessee Titans (+1600), and Baltimore Ravens (+1600) still hanging around.

KANSAS CITY – The seemingly impossible is always just right around the corner in this year of 2020 and Monday’s NFL football games were no different.

The undefeated 11-0 Pittsburgh Steelers suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of the Washington Football Team and journeyman quarterback Alex Smith.

The team which has no name defeated the Steelers 23-17 on Monday afternoon behind Smith’s 296 yards passing on 31 completions. Few gave the Football Team a chance to win on Monday, especially when their leading rusher in Antonio Gibson went down on the very first play of the game.

Instead of folding, the Washington team showed incredible resilience on both sides of the ball and stormed back from a 14-3 deficit to win the game and hand the Steelers their first loss of the season.

The loss was huge for Pittsburgh, who will not be the team to join the 1972 undefeated Miami Dolphins in the history books this season. Instead, the loss knocks the Steelers back to a distant second in terms of NFL futures odds.

Once tied with the mighty Kansas City Chiefs, the Steelers are now +350 to win the AFC via the major online sportsbooks.

Looking at a board like this presents tons of value, albeit away from the top teams.

The Kansas City Chiefs are now tied at the top of the AFC with the Steelers at 11-1, with both teams competing for that coveted first-round bye. NFL bettors looking to back the Chiefs might have already missed their best chance, but can now get the Steelers for a much better price.

The Pittsburgh Steelers still have one of the best defenses in the league, but a key concussion injury to cornerback Joe Haden could dent the Steel Curtain for a few weeks.

#Steelers CB Joe Haden is being evaluated for a possible concussion. His return to tonight’s game is questionable.

— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) December 8, 2020

The injury adds to a list of players for Pittsburgh that already includes Bud Dupree, James Conner, Mike Pouncey, Steve Nelson, Chris Boswell, and Robert Spillane.

If that is what it takes for the Steelers to lose, then so be it. But injuries are a part of the game and bettors should watch these reports closely before making a wager on the Steelers.

High-Value AFC Teams To Bet On

Those looking past the Chiefs and Steelers can find some great value.

The Buffalo Bills (+800) just picked up another huge win, this time over the San Francisco 49ers, and appear to be rolling behind Josh Allen into the playoffs. The Bills are 9-3, and could easily be a team to make a run to the Super Bowl in 2020.

In the +1600 range, teams like the 8-4 Tennessee Titans and 6-5 Baltimore Ravens are still worthwhile bets as well. Both teams are inconsistent, but have playoff experience that is invaluable once that time of the year comes around.

Behind them, teams like the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins would certainly captivate the world if they made a run to the Super Bowl. However, these teams likely are still a season away from becoming real contenders.