The Pittsburgh Steelers are 0-2 SU and ATS over their last two games since going 11-0 SU and 8-3 ATS over their first 11 games. A game against the Cincinnati Bengals could be just what the doctor ordered for the Steelers to get back on track going off as big favorites on Monday Night Football.
- Date/Time: December 21, 8:15 p.m. ET
- Stadium: Paul Brown Stadium
- TV Coverage: ESPN
- Sportsbook Odds: Steelers -11.5 | O/U 43.5 (Line History)
- Steelers vs Bengals Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
Despite losing two games in a row, the Steelers still got the early action in this one after Sportsbook as 11.5-point road favorites, driving the line up to Pittsburgh -13. The UNDER was also a popular bet early in the week as the line dropped from 43.5 points down to 40.5 points. The UNDER is 4-1 in the last five games between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh News & Notes
The Steelers had a pitiful day on offense last Sunday against the Bills, mustering up just 15 points and 224 total yards. The offense has been trending in the wrong direction all month; since averaging 30 points per game across a 10-0 SU and 8-2 ATS start, Pittsburgh is averaging only 17 points per game across its recent 1-2 SU and 0-3 ATS skid.
Ben Roethlisberger has thrown five touchdown passes and four interceptions over his last three games after having a 24-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio before that.
It may be important for the Steelers to get their offense back on track against the lowly Bengals. Their next two games come against two teams currently projected to make the postseason with 9-4 SU records in the Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns.
Cincinnati News & Notes
With Joe Burrow leading the offense, the Bengals were at least fun to watch. The rookie quarterback led the team to a 2-5-1 SU and 6-1-1 ATS record through its first half of the season.
But Cincinnati has averaged only 10 points per game over its current 1-4 SU and ATS skid, and with Burrow out, the team has settled for just seven points in each of its last two games. Brandon Allen is 0-3 SU with three touchdown passes, two interceptions and 506 passing yards across three starts.
The future is bright in Cincinnati as Burrow looked the part of a franchise quarterback before he got injured and rookie wideout Tee Higgins has been solid as well this season with 58 catches for 778 yards and five touchdowns. But with Allen under center, this group doesn’t have the talent to keep up with a team like Pittsburgh.
Betting Pick: Pittsburgh -13
This might have been the type of game the Steelers overlooked and came out flat for had they still been undefeated. But with two straight losses, Pittsburgh should come into this one with a chip on its shoulder and that’s bad news for the Bengals.
- Pittsburgh is 10-3-2 ATS in its last 15 games vs Cincinnati.
- Cincinnati is 1-8 SU over its last 9 games.
- The UNDER is 5-1 in Pittsburgh’s last 6 games.
