Steelers at Bengals Odds | The Pittsburgh Steelers will head into Cincinnati on 10 days’ rest – but they’ve had to spend those last 10 days thinking about their loss in Cleveland.
The Browns finally got tailback Nick Chubb humming on the ground, and wintry conditions that will end up giving this contest the moniker “Snow Globe Game” made life hard for the Steelers’ passing game.
Quarterback Russell Wilson came out in favor of Justin Fields, whose running ability seemed to pay off more in the snow on the shores of Lake Erie.
The Browns secured a win, while the Steelers, despite leading the AFC North with an 8-3 record, lament a missed opportunity that could have improved their playoff positioning over Buffalo.
Things don’t get easier for the Steelers, who have these showdowns coming up after their date with the Bengals: at home against Cleveland, at Philadelphia, and at Baltimore.
A win in Cincinnati not only makes their path toward a division title easier, but it also likely puts a dagger in the heart of the playoff hopes of the 4-7 Bengals.
They currently sit in 10th place in the AFC, and while things are easier for them after they place the Steelers (at Dallas, at Tennessee, vs Cleveland), they’ve shot themselves in the foot all season long.
Starting with a puzzling loss in New England, they’ve consistently squandered winnable games, including a close match against the Chiefs and scoring 71 points in home losses.
They scored 34 points in a loss at Baltimore and 27 points in a loss to the Chargers two weeks ago that saw them roar back from a 27-6 deficit to tie the game, only to clank two field goals and give up a late touchdown drive.
The Bengals’ defense will be what kept them out of the playoffs if they don’t get there. So, how should you manage your online betting for this week’s date with the Steel Curtain? Read on to get our prediction.
Steelers at Bengals Odds: NFL Game Lines in Week 13 | NFL 2024/25 Season
When: Sunday, December 1, 2024, 1:00 pm ET
Where: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati
TV: CBS
Radio: WBGG 970 AM Pittsburgh / WLW 700 AM Cincinnati
Live Stream: Peacock
NFL Odds: Cincinnati -2.5 / O/U 47.5 // Pittsburgh +135 / Cincinnati -155
Why should you bet on the Steelers?
The Steelers had to settle for too many field goals in the loss to Cleveland last Thursday. When Pittsburgh wide receiver George Pickens went off after the game, saying that the Browns “were not a good team,” blaming the loss on the elements, he overlooked the fact that kicker Chris Boswell had to come out four times and get points with his leg. Russell Wilson did go 21 of 28 for 270 yards and a score, but he also took four sacks, a big reason why the more mobile Fields came into the game later on.
Russell Wilson
Wilson showcased deep completions to Pickens, Van Jefferson, and Calvin Austin III on third downs, but the Steelers relied on field goals, scoring just 18 against Baltimore. Their lackluster performance against the Browns, combined with a short travel week, highlighted a classic “trap” game, ending in a loss.
The Bengals have dropped four out of their last five games at Paycor Stadium, but the major problems have come on defense. As we mentioned earlier, they gave up those 71 points combined in home losses to Baltimore and Washington, and on the season, they’re allowing 26.9 points and 355.5 yards of offense per contest. Logan Wilson leads the team with 104 tackles, and Trey Hendrickson has 11.5 sacks, but as a unit, this team has given up way too much, particularly in the passing game.
With these stats in mind, Pittsburgh should be able to come in and impose its will on offense. The Bengals’ top pass rusher, Chase Brown, only has 607 yards, and the team only runs for 91.5 yards per game. The Steelers should be able to force third-and-long and then get after Joe Burrow, passing behind an O-line that has injuries.
^Why should you put your money on the Bengals?
Joe Burrow earlier stated Cincinnati needed 10 wins for the playoffs. Now, they must win all remaining games, beginning with a crucial matchup against Pittsburgh to secure that playoff chance. They would also have to win in Pittsburgh in Week 18 to finish that run, but that’s way down the road at this point.
The Last Game
The Bengals’ loss to the Chargers showed us their season in a microcosm: starting with a porous pass defense, and then rebounding with maximum effort on that side of the ball, only to collapse with things on the line. The Chargers got two huge pass plays on the last drive that helped them turn a 27-27 tie into a 34-27 win, and Justin Herbert had four completions that traveled at least 20 yards through the air, including a pair of touchdown passes, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. If the Bengals had won, that would have been their biggest road comeback in franchise history. Instead, it was just the team’s latest one-score loss.
Looking at trends, there are some reasons to back the Bengals here, despite their defensive woes this season. The Steelers have struggled on the road late in the season, with a seven-game losing streak, both straight up and against the spread, in December away from Acrisure Stadium against conference foes. While the Bengals haven’t been great at home this year, they have gone 12-3 straight up in their last 15 home contests against teams above .500.
In the division, Cincinnati has also figured things out late in the season, with a five-game winning streak against the spread in home games against divisional opponents in December. Against Pittsburgh, they have found the end zone first in seven of their last eight home meetings.
^Steelers at Bengals Odds Final Score and Prediction in Week 13
Pittsburgh Injuries
The Steelers will be missing nose tackle Montravius Adams (knee) and cornerback Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring). Linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) is doubtful, while all other players on the injury report are expected to play.
Cincinnati Injuries
For the Bengals, left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. is expected to return, aiding Joe Burrow, despite being listed as questionable. Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and linebacker Logan Wilson are also questionable, with Rankins likely to miss the game, limiting Wilson’s performance if he plays.
Bringing Brown back will aid the Bengals’ offense against Pittsburgh, but Wilson’s lack of full health may allow Pittsburgh.
I see Pittsburgh imposing their will and winning, 27-23.
^The @Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week winners through three months! pic.twitter.com/oR65VsN9jF
— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2024
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