It's win or go home for the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday as they hit the road in Week 18 to face AFC North rival Pittsburgh.
Pointspread | -2.5 -115 |
Moneyline | -150 |
Over / Under | o +48.5 |
Pointspread | +2.5 -105 |
Moneyline | +125 |
Over / Under | u +48.5 |
This game has massive playoff implications and that’s why it has the Saturday night prime-time slot. Cincinnati comes in as the hotter team with four straight wins, including a season-saving 30-24 OT win over the Broncos last week. On the other hand, Pittsburgh is struggling at the wrong time and coming off their third consecutive loss, a 29-10 home blowout against Kansas City.
There’s a razor-thin margin in this game, with the Bengals currently siting as 1.5 points favourites on the NFL odds, while the total is pegged at 48.0.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
This game has the biggest playoff implications of the week. Cincinnati has done a great job crawling back into postseason contention, but to officially clinch, they need to beat the Steelers and they need Denver to lose against Kansas City and Miami to lose or tie against the Jets.
Pittsburgh has already locked up a playoff spot and despite their losing streak, they still have a chance to win the AFC North. To win the division, the Steelers need to beat Cincinnati and they also need Baltimore to lose against Cleveland. That second part is particularly unlikely as the Ravens obviously want to win the division and the Browns would rather lose and try to clinch the first overall draft pick.
These teams played a shootout game in Cincinnati back in Week 13, with the Steelers winning 44-38. Russell Wilson had his best game as a Steeler, throwing for a season-high 414 yards and three TDs. That seemed to be a wakeup call for the Bengals, who have won all four games since.
Cincinnati has been money on the road this season, going 7-1 against the spread in away dates. However, the Bengals have struggled to cover against Pittsburgh, going 1-4 ATS in the last five head-to-heads. The Steelers also boast a 5-2 ATS mark at home this year, with covers in four of their last five games at Heinz Field (renamed Acrisure Stadium in 2022).
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow continued his strong season last week, throwing for 412 yards and three TDs. Burrow enters Week 18 as the NFL’s leader in both passing yards (4,641) and passing TDs (42) while throwing just eight interceptions. Ja’Marr Chase has also been fantastic as he narrows in on securing the receiving triple crown by leading the league in receptions (117), receiving yards (1,612) and receiving TDs (16).
When you’re taking a look at player props this week, keep in mind Chase is averaging a ridiculous 100.8 receiving yards per game and Burrow will hammer him with targets in this must-win game.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The wheels seem to have fallen off in Pittsburgh, with the Steelers losing each of their last three games by at least 14 points. Russell Wilson struggled last week, throwing for 205 yards, no TDs and one interception. Wilson has thrown two interceptions and lost two fumbles on a three-game losing streak that blew a two-game cushion for top spot in the division.
One low key way to boost the offence could be to target Jaylen Warren more in the passing game. The third-year running back has 10 total targets and 40 or more receiving yards in each of the last two games and he had 55 receiving yards in the first game against Cincinnati.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Bengals vs. Steelers?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 30 Dec 6:04am | - | - | O +47.5 -110 |
Closing 5 Jan 3:33am | - | - | O +33.5 -115 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bengals Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
11 |
Rushing |
990 |
Passing |
0 |
Receiving |
73 |
Sacks |
5 |
Interceptions |
4 |
Touchdowns |
7 |
Rushing |
1043 |
Passing |
1106 |
Receiving |
65 |
Sacks |
6 |
Interceptions |
5 |
Touchdowns | |
Rushing | |
Passing | Did not qualify |
Receiving | |
Sacks | |
Interceptions |
Touchdowns |
1 |
Rushing |
17 |
Passing |
0 |
Receiving |
5 |
Sacks |
1 |
Interceptions |
0 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Steelers Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
11 |
Rushing |
990 |
Passing |
0 |
Receiving |
73 |
Sacks |
5 |
Interceptions |
4 |
Touchdowns |
7 |
Rushing |
1043 |
Passing |
1106 |
Receiving |
65 |
Sacks |
6 |
Interceptions |
5 |
Touchdowns | |
Rushing | |
Passing | Did not qualify |
Receiving | |
Sacks | |
Interceptions |
Touchdowns |
1 |
Rushing |
17 |
Passing |
0 |
Receiving |
5 |
Sacks |
1 |
Interceptions |
0 |
Weather

temp | 19 |
condition | cloudy |
wind | West 10mph |
Injuries
Cam Taylor-Britt (CB)
Joe Burrow (QB)
Tee Higgins (WR)
Kris Jenkins (DT)
Drew Sample (TE)
Chase Brown (HB)
Amarius Mims (OT)
Geno Stone (S)
Joe Burrow (QB)
Tee Higgins (WR)
MyCole Pruitt (TE)
Mason McCormick (G)
Donte Jackson (CB)
Jaylen Warren (RB)
Justin Fields (QB)
Joey Porter Jr. (CB)
Tyler Matakevich (LB)
Ben Skowronek (WR)
Joey Porter Jr. (CB)
Ben Skowronek (WR)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cam Taylor-Britt (CB) | Questionable | Ankle - 02 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Taylor-Britt is dealing with an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will take the field against the Steelers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Joe Burrow (QB) | Questionable | Wrist - 31 / 12 / 24 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Burrow is nursing a wrist injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Steelers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Tee Higgins (WR) | Questionable | Ankle - 31 / 12 / 24 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Higgins is laid up with an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will participate against the Steelers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Kris Jenkins (DT) | Questionable | Knee - 31 / 12 / 24 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Jenkins is battling a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Steelers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Drew Sample (TE) | Questionable | Groin - 31 / 12 / 24 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Sample is fighting off a groin injury, and it is up in the air if he will take the field against the Steelers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Chase Brown (HB) | Questionable | Ankle - 30 / 12 / 24 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Brown is battling an ankle injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active next game. |
|||||
Amarius Mims (OT) | Questionable | Hand - 30 / 12 / 24 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Mims is dealing with a hand injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active next game. |
|||||
Geno Stone (S) | Questionable | Illness - 26 / 12 / 24 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Stone is ailing with an illness, and it is unclear if he will take the field against the Broncos on Saturday, December 28th. |
|||||
Joe Burrow (QB) | Questionable | Wrist - 25 / 12 / 24 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Burrow is dealing with a wrist injury, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Broncos on Saturday, December 28th. |
|||||
Tee Higgins (WR) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 25 / 12 / 24 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Higgins is hampered by an ankle injury, but he is likely to face Broncos on Saturday, December 28th. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MyCole Pruitt (TE) | Questionable | Knee - 07 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Pruitt is dealing with a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be available against the Ravens on Saturday, January 11th. |
|||||
Mason McCormick (G) | Questionable | Hand - 05 / 01 / 25 | 1-1 | 0-2 | + - |
McCormick is dealing with a hand injury, and it is unknown he will be available against the Ravens on Saturday, January 11th. |
|||||
Donte Jackson (CB) | Questionable | Back - 02 / 01 / 25 | 1-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Jackson is dealing with a back injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Ravens on Saturday, January 11th. |
|||||
Jaylen Warren (RB) | Questionable | Ribs - 01 / 01 / 25 | 1-1 | 0-2 | + - |
Warren is battling with a rib injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Bengals on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Justin Fields (QB) | Questionable | Abdominal - 24 / 12 / 24 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Field is battling an abdominal injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Ravens on Saturday, January 11th. |
|||||
Joey Porter Jr. (CB) | Questionable | Knee - 24 / 12 / 24 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Porter is nursing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Bengals on Sunday, January 05th. |
|||||
Tyler Matakevich (LB) | Questionable | Knee - 23 / 12 / 24 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Matakevich is fighting off with a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Ravens on Saturday, January 11th. |
|||||
Ben Skowronek (WR) | Questionable | Hip - 22 / 12 / 24 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Skowronek is battling with a hip injury, and it is unknown if he will face the Bengals on Sunday, January 05th. |
|||||
Joey Porter Jr. (CB) | Questionable | Calf - 21 / 12 / 24 | 1-3 | 1-3 | + - |
Porter Jr. is nursing with a calf injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active against the Chiefs on Wednesday, December 25th. |
|||||
Ben Skowronek (WR) | Questionable | Hip - 21 / 12 / 24 | 1-3 | 1-3 | + - |
Skowronek is dealing with a hip injury, and it is unknown if he will participate against the Chiefs on Wednesday, December 25th. |
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 30 Dec 6:04am - - O +47.5 -110 Closing 5 Jan 3:33am - - O +33.5 -115 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Bengals Team Leaders
Touchdowns 11
Rushing 990
Passing 0
Receiving 73
Sacks 5
Interceptions 4
Touchdowns 7
Rushing 1043
Passing 1106
Receiving 65
Sacks 6
Interceptions 5
Touchdowns Rushing Passing Did not qualify Receiving Sacks Interceptions Touchdowns 1
Rushing 17
Passing 0
Receiving 5
Sacks 1
Interceptions 0
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Steelers Team Leaders
Touchdowns 11
Rushing 990
Passing 0
Receiving 73
Sacks 5
Interceptions 4
Touchdowns 7
Rushing 1043
Passing 1106
Receiving 65
Sacks 6
Interceptions 5
Touchdowns Rushing Passing Did not qualify Receiving Sacks Interceptions Touchdowns 1
Rushing 17
Passing 0
Receiving 5
Sacks 1
Interceptions 0
-
Weather
temp 19 condition cloudy wind West 10mph -
Injuries
Cam Taylor-Britt (CB)
Questionable Ankle - 02 / 01 / 25Joe Burrow (QB)
Questionable Wrist - 31 / 12 / 24Tee Higgins (WR)
Questionable Ankle - 31 / 12 / 24Kris Jenkins (DT)
Questionable Knee - 31 / 12 / 24Drew Sample (TE)
Questionable Groin - 31 / 12 / 24Chase Brown (HB)
Questionable Ankle - 30 / 12 / 24Amarius Mims (OT)
Questionable Hand - 30 / 12 / 24Geno Stone (S)
Questionable Illness - 26 / 12 / 24Joe Burrow (QB)
Questionable Wrist - 25 / 12 / 24Tee Higgins (WR)
Prob Sat Ankle - 25 / 12 / 24MyCole Pruitt (TE)
Questionable Knee - 07 / 01 / 25Mason McCormick (G)
Questionable Hand - 05 / 01 / 25Donte Jackson (CB)
Questionable Back - 02 / 01 / 25Jaylen Warren (RB)
Questionable Ribs - 01 / 01 / 25Justin Fields (QB)
Questionable Abdominal - 24 / 12 / 24Joey Porter Jr. (CB)
Questionable Knee - 24 / 12 / 24Tyler Matakevich (LB)
Questionable Knee - 23 / 12 / 24Ben Skowronek (WR)
Questionable Hip - 22 / 12 / 24Joey Porter Jr. (CB)
Questionable Calf - 21 / 12 / 24Ben Skowronek (WR)
Questionable Hip - 21 / 12 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Cam Taylor-Britt (CB) Questionable Ankle - 02 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Taylor-Britt is dealing with an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will take the field against the Steelers on Sunday, January 5th.
Joe Burrow (QB) Questionable Wrist - 31 / 12 / 24 1-0 1-0 + - Burrow is nursing a wrist injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Steelers on Sunday, January 5th.
Tee Higgins (WR) Questionable Ankle - 31 / 12 / 24 1-0 1-0 + - Higgins is laid up with an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will participate against the Steelers on Sunday, January 5th.
Kris Jenkins (DT) Questionable Knee - 31 / 12 / 24 1-0 1-0 + - Jenkins is battling a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Steelers on Sunday, January 5th.
Drew Sample (TE) Questionable Groin - 31 / 12 / 24 1-0 1-0 + - Sample is fighting off a groin injury, and it is up in the air if he will take the field against the Steelers on Sunday, January 5th.
Chase Brown (HB) Questionable Ankle - 30 / 12 / 24 1-0 1-0 + - Brown is battling an ankle injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active next game.
Amarius Mims (OT) Questionable Hand - 30 / 12 / 24 1-0 1-0 + - Mims is dealing with a hand injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active next game.
Geno Stone (S) Questionable Illness - 26 / 12 / 24 2-0 1-1 + - Stone is ailing with an illness, and it is unclear if he will take the field against the Broncos on Saturday, December 28th.
Joe Burrow (QB) Questionable Wrist - 25 / 12 / 24 2-0 1-1 + - Burrow is dealing with a wrist injury, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Broncos on Saturday, December 28th.
Tee Higgins (WR) Prob Sat Ankle - 25 / 12 / 24 2-0 1-1 + - Higgins is hampered by an ankle injury, but he is likely to face Broncos on Saturday, December 28th.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes MyCole Pruitt (TE) Questionable Knee - 07 / 01 / 25 1-0 0-1 + - Pruitt is dealing with a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be available against the Ravens on Saturday, January 11th.
Mason McCormick (G) Questionable Hand - 05 / 01 / 25 1-1 0-2 + - McCormick is dealing with a hand injury, and it is unknown he will be available against the Ravens on Saturday, January 11th.
Donte Jackson (CB) Questionable Back - 02 / 01 / 25 1-1 0-2 + - Jackson is dealing with a back injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Ravens on Saturday, January 11th.
Jaylen Warren (RB) Questionable Ribs - 01 / 01 / 25 1-1 0-2 + - Warren is battling with a rib injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Bengals on Sunday, January 5th.
Justin Fields (QB) Questionable Abdominal - 24 / 12 / 24 1-2 1-2 + - Field is battling an abdominal injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Ravens on Saturday, January 11th.
Joey Porter Jr. (CB) Questionable Knee - 24 / 12 / 24 1-2 1-2 + - Porter is nursing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Bengals on Sunday, January 05th.
Tyler Matakevich (LB) Questionable Knee - 23 / 12 / 24 1-2 1-2 + - Matakevich is fighting off with a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Ravens on Saturday, January 11th.
Ben Skowronek (WR) Questionable Hip - 22 / 12 / 24 1-2 1-2 + - Skowronek is battling with a hip injury, and it is unknown if he will face the Bengals on Sunday, January 05th.
Joey Porter Jr. (CB) Questionable Calf - 21 / 12 / 24 1-3 1-3 + - Porter Jr. is nursing with a calf injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active against the Chiefs on Wednesday, December 25th.
Ben Skowronek (WR) Questionable Hip - 21 / 12 / 24 1-3 1-3 + - Skowronek is dealing with a hip injury, and it is unknown if he will participate against the Chiefs on Wednesday, December 25th.