NFL Week 13 Preview, Picks & Predictions: Steelers vs. Bengals (2024)
The Cincinnati Bengals are on the outside looking in regarding the playoff conversation at 4-7. But 10-7 was good enough to make the postseason in the AFC last season (9-8 in the NFC), so all is not lost. The margin for error is minimal, especially with the division-leading Steelers coming to town.
However, while the Steelers are 8-3, they are a road underdog (+2.5) to the 4-7 hometown Bengals. While the Steelers have won five of their last six and the Bengals have one win at home this season, this game will end up being relatively close (or not).
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Steelers vs. Bengals Betting Preview
(Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook)
Details
- Opening Line: Bengals -5, O/U 44.5
- Closing Line: Bengals -2.5 (-122), O/U 47.5 (-110/-110)
- Location: Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH
- Start Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- TV: CBS
- Last Meeting: December 23, 2023 - Pittsburgh Steelers won 34-11
Overview
The Cincinnati Bengals are no strangers to slow starts in recent years, but they typically snap out of it after a few weeks and start playing like the dominant team they are perceived to be. But that hasn’t quite happened this year.
Since starting the season 1-3, the Bengals have gone 3-4. They beat the teams they should have defeated (Panthers, Giants, Browns) but lost to the better teams on their schedule (Ravens twice, Eagles, Chargers). Three of the four losses were somewhat high-scoring games lost by one score.
Their first three losses were also by one score.
You could make an argument the Bengals could be 10-1 (since one of those wins would be over the current 11-1 Chiefs) had one or two plays go their way in their six one-score losses.
Lots of things contributed to each loss, but in four of them, the offense scored 30+ points. Anytime a team does that, it should win. This begs one question: Can the Bengals’ defense step up against a solid Steelers offense?
Pittsburgh’s offense has not been as prolific as many teams, but it has become somewhat reliable since Mike Tomlin benched Justin Fields for Russell Wilson. While Field is certainly the more athletic of the two, Wilson gives the Steelers a proven, veteran leader behind center.
However, Wilson does not deserve all the credit. The Steelers’ run game has been sold as well, with the team gaining 120+ yards in all five games and 140+ in three. Incidentally, the three games with 140+ rushing yards were all wins.
Trends
- Pittsburgh leads the all-time series vs. Cincinnati (70-39) and has won the last two and six of the last 10.
- The Steelers have won eight of the last 10 games in Cincinnati outright, with a 6-3-1 against the spread (ATS) record.
- Cincinnati is 3-7 straight up and ATS in the last 10 vs. the Steelers at home when they were favored.
- The Bengals are 1-3 straight up when favored at home.
Bottom Line
Cincinnati certainly has more explosive potential on offense. However, that potential has not resulted in many wins this season in large part because their defense can’t stop anyone. The Steelers’ defense may not slow down the Joe Burrow-to-Ja’Marr Chase connection, but it will stop everything else.
Russell Wilson will not pick apart the Bengals’ secondary like Lamar Jackson, but he’ll do some damage as he leads the Steelers to an important win.
Pick: Steelers Moneyline (+136)