NFL Week 3 picks: Steelers are 2.5 point underdogs at home vs. Bears

It's not common a home NFL team for a primetime game is an underdog. It's probably the result of that home team hosting a quality opponent while in something of a freefall themselves.

The Steelers (+2.5) host Chicago on Sunday Night Football in Week 3, taking their 0-2 Against The Spread record to Heinz Field.

Pittsburgh will be challenged by the Bears' new-look offense that features a much more refined and relaxed quarterback Jay Cutler. New coach Marc Trestman has done an outstanding job of keeping Cutler protected - both from Chicago's opponents and from himself - as they've started 2-0 with wins over Cincinnati and Minnesota.

While Cutler still has three interceptions, he's also thrown five touchdown passes, and amazingly, has only been sacked once. He'll challenge the Steelers' secondary, which could again be without cornerback Cortez Allen.

The Steelers might take solace in the fact home underdogs that started seasons 0-2 are 19-11 ATS since 2007. That's a bit obscure and doesn't lend well to blocking Julius Peppers, though.

(Team on left is pick ATS, bolded team is picked to win the game)

Chicago (-2.5) over PITTSBURGH (Sunday Night Football)

Kansas City (+3.5) over PHILADELPHIA (Thursday Night Football)

San Diego (+3) over TENNESSEE

NEW ENGLAND (-7) over Tampa Bay

MINNESOTA (off) over Cleveland

St. Louis (+4) over DALLAS

SAN FRANCISCO (-10) over Indianapolis

Jacksonville (+19) over SEATTLE

CAROLINA (-1) over Giants

Atlanta (+3) over MIAMI

Green Bay (-3) over CINCINNATI

JETS (-3) over Buffalo

DENVER (-15.5) over Oakland (Monday Night Football)