The Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) return to the gridiron after a 10-day break, ruminating over their upset loss in snowy Cleveland. They play the Cincinnati Bengals (4-7), a team that has had opportunities in 2024, but keeps finding ways to lose. Our Steelers vs Bengals prediction is for underdog Pittsburgh to cover the 3-point spread.
Head-to-head, Pittsburgh has dominated with a 70-39 record.
Offshore Odds: Cincinnati is a Surprising Favorite
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steelers | +3 (-115) | +140 | O 47 (-114) |
| Bengals | -3 (-105) | -160 | U 47 (-106) |
First-Place Pittsburgh Needs Bounceback Game
Despite holding a half-game lead in the AFC North over the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh needs to recover from its upset loss in Cleveland on Thursday Night Football.
Those 10 days were a boost for the veteran Steelers, especially hard-working backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, 36-year-old quarterback Russell Wilson, and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. Linebacker Alex Highsmith is doubtful as he recovers from an ankle issue.
This is not a “must” win for Pittsburgh. It’s more of a “would be nice” win. Their subsequent schedule includes another meeting with Cleveland followed by Philadelphia, Baltimore, Kansas City, and Cincinnati again.
Cincinnati is a difficult matchup for Pittsburgh. They score in bunches and light up the sky — two things Pittsburgh does not do and will have trouble keeping up with. Cincinnati is weak against the rush, ranked 21st in yards allowed on the ground per game. They are not great against the pass either, ranked 23rd.
Pittsburgh’s strength is its turnover differential (+13) and its defense. Their best strategy is to play ball control and keep Joe Burrow off the field.
Cincinnati and Its Oh-So-Close Season
The Bengals are sixth in the NFL in points per game and first in passing yards per game. Scoring is not the problem. Defensively, they are 28th in points allowed per game. That equates to a lot of high-scoring games. Unfortunately for Cincinnati, they have been unlucky and their defense has faltered at key moments.
Three or four plays in losses to Kansas City, Washington, Baltimore (twice), and Los Angeles and they could very easily be 7-4 instead of 4-7. Even more intriguing is that the Bengals are not completely out of playoff contention.
Head coach Zac Taylor tends to take turns being ultra-conservative and exceedingly aggressive. It costs his team.
Cincinnati enters this game reasonably healthy.
Steelers vs Bengals Prediction: Another Close One For Both Teams
It could be argued that the Steelers’ loss to the Browns was due more to the weather than a rivalry trap game four days after an emotionally and physically draining win over Baltimore. Still, Pittsburgh could not run the ball consistently against Cleveland, and Wilson was sacked four times.
Pittsburgh cannot win a scoring battle with Cincinnati. The Bengals are due for a win and this too is a trap/rivalry game for Pittsburgh. If Cincinnati wins, the final score will be within three points.
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