The Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers meet Saturday in NFL action from Acrisure Stadium. The Bengals are currently 8-6 overall this year following a tight overtime win versus the Vikings. As for Pittsburgh, they’re sitting at 7-7 overall. The Steelers have lost three straight, most recently versus the Colts. Let’s get into our Bengals vs. Steelers prediction. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals had a three-game losing streak going in November, falling to the Texans, Ravens and Steelers. Since then Cincinnati has gotten back on course with three straight wins over the Jaguars, Colts and Vikings. The Bengals are averaging 21.9 points per game on offense while giving up 22.2 points on the other side, hence the near-.500 record.
The Bengals are coming off another overtime victory back on Saturday, this time versus the Vikings. Cincinnati posted 21 fourth-quarter points in the comeback effort and ended up taking it 27-24. Jake Browning threw for 324 yards with two scores and a pick, while Joe Mixon led the rush with 47 yards and a TD of his own.
Cincinnati Bengals Team Facts
- The Bengals have won each of their last nine games in December.
- The Bengals have covered the spread in each of their last seven December games against AFC opponents.
- The Bengals have lost the first half in each of their last seven games at Acrisure Stadium following a win.
- The Bengals have won the first quarter in four of their last five games following a win.
- The Bengals have scored the first touchdown in five of their last six games against the Steelers.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Over on the Steelers’ side, they were sitting at 6-3 in mid-November but they’ve lost four of their last five games since. Those losses came to the Browns, Cardinals, Patriots and Colts. Pittsburgh is averaging just 15.9 points per game this year and an even 20.0 on defense. Just 10 TDs and nine interceptions have come through the air this season.
The Steelers took their latest loss to the Colts on Saturday. Pittsburgh was within one point at halftime 14-13 but didn’t score again from there in a 30-13 outcome. Mitch Trubisky finished with 169 yards, one TD and two interceptions. Diontae Johnson caught four balls for 62 yards and a score, while Jaylen Warren rushed for 40 yards.
Pittsburgh Steelers Team Facts
- The Steelers have won each of their last eight games as home underdogs following a loss.
- The Steelers have covered the spread in each of their last eight games as home underdogs following a loss.
- The Steelers have lost the first half in each of their last 10 December games against AFC opponents.
- The Steelers have won the first quarter in four of their last five games as underdogs following a loss.
- The Steelers have scored the first touchdown in four of their last five games as underdogs following a loss.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Steelers rank 1st in the NFL in Q4 opponent points per game this season (3.6).
- The Steelers are one of only three teams in the NFL to win four games in which they trailed during the fourth quarter this season.
- The Bengals rank 31st in the NFL in rushing yards per game this season (84.4).
- The Bengals rank 31st in the NFL in average yards per punt this season (44.0).
ANDREW’S FREE BENGALS VS STEELERS PREDICTION
I’ll take a stab on the Bengals. Probably not touching this one, though; it’s anyone’s guess how this rivalry matchup will play out. Cincinnati played a pretty rough game versus Minnesota in their last outing and didn’t come alive on the scoreboard until the fourth quarter. The Bengals would finish with 378 total yards (298 passing) and 22 first downs. On defense, Cincinnati bagged a couple of interceptions but also coughed up 424 total yards (281 passing). The Bengals have given up 24 or more points in four of the last six games.
As for Pittsburgh, they played an ugly second half against the Colts. The Steelers ended up with just 216 total yards (142 passing) and 13 first downs in their latest defeat. Pittsburgh hasn’t scored more than 18 points in any of their last five straight games. I think the Bengals will get revenge in this rematch, but I still like the score to be close most of the way.