The Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) host the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) Sunday at Heinz Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Bengals vs. Steelers odds and lines, and make our best NFL picks, predictions and bets.
Cincy fell back to earth with a 20-17 Week 2 loss at the Chicago Bears in a misleading final score. Chicago’s defense stifled the Bengals all game long and Cincy’s two touchdowns came in garbage time.
The Bengals upset the Minnesota Vikings 27-24 in overtime as 3-point home underdogs in Week 1. Cincy is 1-1 Over/Under thus far.
Pittsburgh also was humbled in Week 2 with a 26-17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders as a 5.5-point home favorite after an impressive 23-16 Week 1 victory at the Buffalo Bills as a 6.5-point road underdog. The Under has cashed in the Steelers’ first two games.
These teams split last season’s series as Pittsburgh won the first 36-10 at home and Cincy stole the second 27-17 despite QB Joe Burrow being sidelined with a season-ending injury. The total was 1-0-1 O/U in last year’s Steelers-Bengals meetings.
Bengals at Steelers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 12:05 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Bengals +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Steelers -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bengals +3.5 (-130) | Steelers -3.5 (+105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 43.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Bengals at Steelers key injuries
Bengals
- WR Tee Higgins (shoulder) doubtful
- RG Xavier Su’a-Filo (knee) doubtful
- CB Trae Waynes (hamstring) doubtful
Steelers
- WR Diontae Johnson (knee) out
- OLB T.J. Watt (groin) out
- OLB Alex Highsmith (groin) out
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Bengals at Steelers odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Bengals 20, Steelers 16
Money line
Slight “LEAN” to the BENGALS (+130) since I like Cincy plus the points and the sharp side of the market is backing the Bengals.
According to Pregame.com at the time of writing, roughly 60% of the cash wagered is on Cincy’s money line while around 60% of the bets are on Pittsburgh. Generally, you’d rather follow the money than the crowd of people in sports betting.
Also, Oddsmakers have reacted to the presumed “sharp” money by the Bengals down from a +186 consensus money line to the current price. Being late to the party of a Cincy upset is why I can only slightly “lean” to the BENGALS (+130).
Against the spread
The BENGALS +3.5 (-130) is the right side in this matchup because the Steelers are banged-up at key positions on both sides of the ball and Pittsburgh hasn’t faired well ATS early in seasons recently.
The Steelers are just 7-13 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 or more points in September since 2011 and 0-4 ATS in the last four games as home favorites.
That said, BENGALS +3.5 (-130) is more of a “lean” because my favorite play in this contest is the Under.
Over/Under
BET 1 unit on the UNDER 43.5 (-115) for a few reasons. First of all, the Under is 4-1-1 in the last six Bengals-Steelers games.
Second, we know Pittsburgh’s defense is a top-5 unit in football but the market is sleeping on Cincy’s defense. The Bengals rank eighth in defensive EPA per play and fourth in defensive success rate.
Additionally, I figure both coaching staffs want to keep their quarterbacks out of harm’s way in this game. Pittsburgh’s pass rush is ferocious and Burrow’s rookie season was cut short with an injury.
Plus Big Ben is dealing with a pectoral injury and seems less than thrilled about new offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s 3- and 4-WR sets. I expect the Steelers to feed RB Najee Harris a lot this game.
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