Bengals vs. Steelers Picks, Predictions & Player Props: Cincinnati Fighting for Playoffs

• The Bengals still have an outside chance of making the playoffs 

• The Steelers are fighting for seeding in the playoffs 

• Joe Burrow is first in passing yards and touchdowns 

The Cincinnati Bengals were expected to be a Super Bowl contender in 2024. However, they had no defensive support, leaving Cincinnati on the playoff bubble heading into Week 18. 

The Bengals have a slim chance of making the playoffs, and they must win on Saturday to give themselves a chance heading into Sunday. After beating the Steelers, Cincinnati would need the Dolphins and Broncos to lose. 

Denver is a 10.5-point favorite against the Chiefs, who are resting starters. Cincinnati doesn’t have much chance to play in the postseason, but we still expect them to play hard against Pittsburgh. 

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Bengals vs. Steelers Odds

Odds for the Bengals vs Steelers matchup are provided by FanDuel Sportsbook.

Bengals vs. Steelers My Pick

• My Pick: Bengals -1.5 (-110) at FanDuel Sportsbook 

The Cincinnati Bengals are better and playing great behind their star quarterback. The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t been playing well enough to match up with Cincinnati. 

The Bengals lost 44-38 to the Steelers earlier in the season but have won four straight games. Pittsburgh is already in the postseason and got smoked by the Chiefs on Christmas. 

The Bengals' offense is much more explosive than the Steelers', which will make the ultimate difference. Cincinnati doesn’t have a great defense, but based on recent games, the Steelers shouldn’t be lighting up the scoreboard. 

The one thing going for Pittsburgh is home-field advantage, but we don’t believe this will be enough to win. We’re laying the points with Cincinnati. 

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Bengals vs. Steelers Predictions 

The NFC North is typically the most physical division in the NFL. The Steelers started the season playing elite defense, but that hasn’t been the case since making the playoffs. 

Pittsburgh is still fighting for seeding, and they want a win to stay away from Baltimore and Buffalo. However, winning against the Bengals, who have been elite in the past four weeks, will be tough.

Burrow is playing like an NFL MVP quarterback, but he most likely won’t win the award because Cincinnati is fighting for a playoff spot, not a division champion. 

Nevertheless, his stats are impressive, and he shouldn’t slow down against a team that’s susceptible to the passing game. 

Patrick Mahomes threw for over 300 yards against Pittsburgh on Christmas Day, and Burrow has been slinging it better than the multi-time Super Bowl champion. 

Burrow is first in passing yards and touchdowns and has the second-best QBR in the NFL. His deep threats, Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, are playing their best football of the season. 

The Bengals have proved they have all the talent to win but just started the season poorly. Look for Burrow to continue to dominate and lead his team to a win to end the season. 

Bengals vs. Steelers Best Player Props

Joe Burrow Over 284.5 Passing Yards (-115) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Burrow has been putting up massive numbers through the air. The quarterback is coming off a big game against the Broncos and shined against the Steelers earlier in the season. 

Burrow threw for 309 yards in his last game against Pittsburgh. The Steelers were lit up through the air against the Chiefs last week, and we don’t believe they’ll respond. 

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Joe Burrow Over 2.5 Passing Touchdowns (+144) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Burrow’s touchdown line is 2.5, and the over is +144. Burrow threw for three touchdowns in his last game against the Steelers. 

Cincinnati has struggled to run the ball around the goal line, which causes Burrow to throw. Higgins and Chase are also elite deep pass threats, which also heightens Burrow’s chances for touchdowns. 

Follow our link for more Joe Burrow prop bets in NFL Week 18

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Tee Higgins Anytime Touchdown (-115) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Higgins and Chase are the best two touchdown scorers for the Bengals. However, their odds are wildly different. 

Chase is -150, and Higgins is -115. Higgins caught three touchdowns last week and has scored in four of his past five games. His -115 line is an excellent deal. 

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Bengals vs. Steelers How to Watch

• When: Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET

• Where: Acrisure Stadium

• Where to Watch: ESPN/ABC

Bengals vs. Steelers Best Promos and Sportsbooks

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Bengals vs. Steelers Injuries

• Bengals WR Tee Higgins - Questionable 

• Bengals QB Joe Burrow - Questionable 

• Bengals RB Chase Brown - Questionable 

• Bengals WR Charlie Jones - Questionable 

• Bengals TE Drew Sample - Questionable

• Steelers CB Donte Jackson - Questionable 

• Steelers WR Roman Wilson - IR 

• Steelers DT Logan Lee - IR 

• Steelers LB Cole Holcomb - PUP

• Steelers DE DeMarvin Leal - IR

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