Steelers, Chiefs, Broncos To Continue Their Ascent

The defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions, both Super Bowl contenders again this season, meet in the most compelling game of the Week 6 NFL season.

The Lions are off to a better start entering the Sunday night prime time match. The host Chiefs have played a much more challenging schedule. Detroit will be their fourth opponent that is either leading or tied for its division lead.

The Denver Broncos, one of the top candidates to take the AFC West title from Kansas City, will attempt to keep the New York Jets winless when they meet in the London as part of the NFL’s international series.

Long-time AFC North rivals Pittsburgh and Cleveland meet in Pittsburgh in the 147th renewal of the series. The cities are separated by 135 miles and six Super Bowl victories — the Steelers have them all.

Denver Broncos (3-2) vs New York Jets (0-5)

Sunday, NFL Network, 9:30 am ET

The Broncos established their bona fides in a 21-17 victory at Philadelphia last week, when they out-gained, out-rushed and out-time-of-possessioned the defending Super Bowl champion.

New running back J.K. Dobbins is fifth in the league with 402 yards rushing, and the defense has stepped up since early loss to Indianapolis and the Los Angeles Chargers. Edge rusher Nik Bonitto has seven sacks, 2 1/2 against the Eagles, and would become the first player since 2013 with least 1 1/2 sacks in four consecutive games.

Justin Fields has been a good fit in New York, where his 100.1 passer rating is the highest by a Jets’ quarterback since Brett Favre in 2008. He has not thrown an interception, but the Jets do not have one either. They are the first team with no takeaways since 1933, when turnovers were tracked, according to ESPN.

First-year head coach Aaron Glenn is the first coach in franchise history to start 0-5.

The spread: Broncos -7

The money line: Broncos -370, Jets +295

The total: 43 1/2

The play: Broncos

Detroit Lions (4-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-3)

Sunday, NBC, 8:20 pm ET

Ah, the burden of the first-place schedule. The Chiefs have been hit in the face with it through the first five weeks of the season, The defending NFC Central champion Lions, not so much.

The Lions lead the league in scoring after rolling over Chicago, Baltimore, Cleveland and Cincinnati following a season-opening loss at Green Bay, and the loss of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has not seemed to matter.

The Chiefs are on a short week after losing at Jacksonville 31-28 on Monday, a game that caused KC fans to question Pro Bowl defensive lineman Chris Jones’ effort on Trevor Lawrence’s stumbling touchdown run with 23 seconds left. Jones stopped on the play with the Chiefs holding a four-point lead.

The site matters here. Kansas City is 14-1 in its last 15 home games; the Lions are 3-6 straight up and against the number in the last nine against the Chiefs.

The spread: Chiefs -2 1/2

The money line: Chiefs -142, Lions +120

The total: 52 1/2

The play: Chiefs

Cleveland Browns (1-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)

Sunday, FOX, 1 pm ET

Pittsburgh always (with an asterisk) wins this game at home. The Steelers are 23-1 in this rivalry since Acrisure Stadium opened in 2001, the lone exception coming in the Browns’ upset victory in the 2020 playoffs.

The Steelers’ streak began before new quarterback Aaron Rodgers entered the league … and he’s 41.

Cleveland quarterback Dillon Gabriel will make his second career start against a defense that traditionally has been unkind to youngsters. The Steelers are 27-4 at home against rookie quarterbacks since 1970.

Perennial Pro Bowler T.J. Watt has 17 of his 111 career sacks against the Browns, who will rely on rookie halfback Quinshon Judkins (110 yards rushing a week ago) to take pressure off Gabriel.

The Steelers’ defense has been far from convincing this season, but Browns have been within a touchdown in only of the last seven regular-season meetings here.

The spread: Steelers -5 1/2

The money line: Steelers -275, Browns +225

The total: 38 1/2

The play: Steelers

Last week: 2-1

Season: 7-10

^{Odds from FanDuel}