AFC North Divisional Matchup
Point Spread: Bengals -3 | Total Points: 38
As the Bengals prepare for this AFC matchup, the team has an overall record of 8-6. This includes riding a current three-game winning streak. Against AFC opponents, they have a record of 3-6. Most recently, the Bengals faced off against the Vikings at home. This game ended in a 27-24 win for Cincinnati. In terms of the point spread, the Bengals were favored by 3, resulting in an ATS push. The game had an over/under line of 41.5 points, and both teams went beyond it, scoring a combined total of 51 points.
This week, the Steelers will look to snap their current three-game losing streak with a victory over the Bengals. Heading into action, the team has a .500 record of 7-7. After their 30-13 loss to the Colts, the Steelers are looking to bounce back in week 16. In addition to their 17-point loss, the Steelers also lost vs. the spread. They were 1-point underdogs heading into the game. The game’s over/under line was 41.5 points, leading to the over hitting with a combined 43 points.
Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers History
Last year, the Bengals and Steelers split their head-to-head matchups with each team going 1-1. The Bengals and Steelers split their games vs. the spread last season. Together, they combined to average 55 points per contest and finished with an over/under mark of 1-1. The Bengals’ offense finished their head-to-head matchups with 420 yards per game of offense. As for the Steelers, they averaged 309 yards offensively.
The last five times that the Steelers have hosted the Bengals, they have an above .500 record at 3-2. Looking back over the previous three times that the Bengals and Steelers have faced off, they have combined to average 45 points per game and have an over/under record of 1-2.
Notable Injuries
Cincinnati Bengals
- DJ Reader – Quad (Out)
- Ja’Marr Chase – Shoulder (Out)
- Joe Burrow – Wrist (Out)
- Devin Cochran – Knee (Out)
- Jaxson Kirkland – Wrist (Out)
- Cam Taylor-Britt – Quad (Out)
- Tycen Anderson – Knee (Out)
- Devonnsha Maxwell – Knee (Out)
- DJ Ivey – Knee (Out)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Kwon Alexander – Achilles (Out)
- Keanu Neal – Rib (Out)
- Minkah Fitzpatrick – Knee (Out)
- Damontae Kazee – Suspended (Out)
- Kenny Pickett – Ankle (Out)
- Elijah Riley – Ankle (Questionable)
- Renell Wren – Achilles (Out)
- Cole Holcomb – Knee (Out)
- Cory Trice Jr. – Knee (Out)
- Alfonzo Graham – Shoulder (Out)
- Trenton Thompson – Neck (Out)
Keys To Victory: Cincinnati Bengals
On the offensive front, the Bengals are currently averaging 21.9 points per game, positioning them 12th in the NFL. Quarterback Jake Browning comes into the game ranked 31st among quarterbacks in passing yards. His passer rating of 107.1 is 7th at the position. So far, he has completed 73.6% of his passes. Cincinnati has managed to find success on offense, even though they are ranked just 31st in rush yards per game. However, this lack of production has more to do with limited opportunities, as they are a below-average group in attempts.
Keys To Victory: Pittsburgh Steelers
Coming into week 16, the Steelers offense is 25th in the league at 15.9 points per contest. Pittsburgh comes into the game, struggling to move the ball through the air. For the season, they have a completion percentage of just 62.1% and are ranked 16th in yards per game. The Steelers are currently 16th in the NFL with 110 rushing yards per game. This has come on an average of 26.6 rushing attempts (19th).
Betting Trends
- When looking at their past ten road matchups, Cincinnati has an ATS record of 6-4 while averaging 22 per game. The team went 6-4 overall in these games.
- Through their last three home contests, the Steelers offense has averaged 13 points per game while allowing an average of 17. Pittsburgh posted an overall record of 1-2 while going 1-2 ATS.
- Going back to their last ten games as the underdog, the Steelers have a straight-up record of 6-4. But, their mark vs the spread was just 6-4.
- In their last five games as the betting favorite, the Bengals have a strong straight-up record of 4-1. In addition, their ATS record was 3-1-1 in these scenarios.
Prediction
- Cincinnati Bengals 21 – Pittsburgh Steelers 18
