Bengals vs. Steelers Point Spread: NFL Week 16 Odds, Prediction
The Steelers’ 30-13 loss in Indianapolis last week extended their losing streak to three games and they now sit last in the AFC North division with a 7-7 record. The Bengals are third in the AFC North at 8-6 and they’ve rolled off three wins in a row after taking out Minnesota 27-24 in overtime last week.
Cincinnati is a two-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with the total sitting at 37.0.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
These teams have alternated wins over their last four head-to-heads, including a 16-10 Steelers victory in Cincinnati in Week 12 this season. Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett, who will miss Week 16 with an ankle injury, finished with a season-high 278 passing yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. In his first start since Joe Burrow’s season-ending wrist injury, Cincinnati’s Jake Browning put up 227 passing yards with a touchdown and interception each.
The Bengals have thrived in the holiday season, going 8-0-1 against the spread in their last nine December games. Be warned, however, that they aren’t a great cover option. Cincinnati has failed to cover in six straight games against AFC North opponents and they’re 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games against AFC teams.
The Steelers come to play when it’s a divisional game as they are 5-1 straight up and ATS in their last six AFC North contests. Although, it’s worth noting they’re not so successful against good teams. Pittsburgh is 0-3 SU and ATS in their last three games against teams with winning records.
Cincinnati Bengals
Browning came through again for the Bengals in last week’s overtime win, finishing with 324 yards, two TDs and an interception. He threw for 184 yards and two TDs in the fourth quarter and overtime to improve to 3-1 as Cincinnati’s starter. Tee Higgins caught both touchdown passes and was one of four Bengals players to finish with 49 or more receiving yards. It’s been an impressive run for a team most people wrote off after Burrow’s season-ending injury. Holding tiebreakers over the Bills and Colts, Cincinnati is fully in charge of their destiny, but every game is a must-win from this point.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh is in full blown panic mode after last week’s loss in Indy. The Steelers are benching Trubisky after the veteran pivot finished with 169 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions against the Colts. It’s not exactly a surprise move as Pittsburgh is 0-2 when Trubisky starts and 0-5 when he plays overall. Third-stringer Rudolph will start just the 11th game of his career. Rudolph’s only action this season came last week when he completed two of three pass attempts for three yards. In 18 career games (10 starts), Rudolph has completed 61.5 per cent of his pass attempts, throwing for 16 TDs and 11 INTs.
CIN
PIT