The stretch of division games continues for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals. The Steelers are coming off a loss against the Browns in the snow game in Week 12 on Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Bengals are coming off a bye week and their playoff hopes seem to be diminished. The Steelers do have another division game on deck but I expect all their attention to be in this game. Below are the Steelers at Bengals Preview and Predictions.
As I mentioned above, the Steelers are in the midst of the difficult part of their schedule. The Steelers are coming off the snow game on Thursday Night Football in Week 12 against the Browns. Next week, the Steelers face the Browns again at home. Meanwhile, the Bengals are in the midst of a disappointing season after getting off to a slow start.
The Steelers come into the game relatively healthy but still will be without linebacker Alex Highsmith who is dealing with an ankle injury. On the other side, the Bengals could be without defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins who did not practice all week dealing with an illness. This should be a great battle between these two teams.
Steelers at Bengals Preview and Predictions
Best Bets
We all know the trend of Mike Tomlin as an underdog. Since Mike Tomlin became the head coach of the Steelers in 2007, the Steelers are 59-36-6 ATS (62.1%) as a dog. Furthermore, if those are division games, the Steelers are 23-10-2 (69.7%). In particular, when the Steelers have faced the Bengals as an underdog under Mike Tomlin, they are 5-3 (62.5%) SU and ATS.
Additionally, since Zac Taylor took over as the head coach of the Bengals, the Over has been a profitable angle in division games for the Bengals. In fact, since 2019, in division games, the Bengals are 19-13-2 (59.4%) to the Over, and in divisi home games, 12-5 (70.6%). Since Wilson has taken over as the quarterback for the Steelers, the offense has made strides. The offense for the Bengals speaks for itself when Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins are on the field.
Best Bet: Steelers +3 and Over 47
Player Prop Best Bet
George Pickens Longest Reception Over 29.5 Yards
The biggest beneficiary of Russell Wilson starting for the Steelers has been George Pickens. In the four starts that Wilson has made for the Steelers, Pickens is 75.5 receiving yards per game and 5.3 receptions per game. We know Russell Wilson throws one of the best deep passes in the league and Pickens has exceeded this projection in all four games. This week the Steelers face a poor pass defense and I expect another big week from Pickens.
