Bengals vs. Steelers Point Spread: NFL Week 18 Odds, Prediction

Jordan Ramsay | Updated Jan 03, 2025

Syndication: The Enquirer

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.

AT
January 04, 2025, 8:00 PM ET
Heinz Field
Pittsburgh
10-7
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?

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