NFL Handicapping Action – Bengals, Steelers Square Off in AFC North Showdown
Cincinnati (+7) vs. Pittsburgh (-7)
Sunday, November 15 1:00 PM ET
(O/U) 42
I guess the Cincinnati Bengals (6-2 SU, 5-3 ATS, 4-4 O/U) are feeling a bit like Rodney Dangerfield coming into their anticipated Week 10 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2 SU, 3-5 ATS, 4-4 O/U) because they aren’t getting much respect.
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Despite having an identical SU record in this contest and riding an impressive two-game winning streak, the Bengals are 7-point road underdogs against the streaking Steelers in this one, but could surprise NFL gamblers like they have all season long.
While the defending Super Bowl champs are even hotter, winning five straight games coming into this contest, they will have to be on guard against a Cincinnati team that has made a habit of winning games as an underdog this season.
What the Bengals need to do to win
Use their second-ranked run defense (83.9 ypg) to stop the Steelers rushing attack and force Pittsburgh into obvious throwing situations while simultaneously getting some positive rushing yards from their own ground game to keep Pittsburgh’s front seven from routinely blitzing quarterback Carson Palmer.
Cincinnati will also have to guard against Roethlisberger beating them with the deep ball and record at least one interception as they are ranked just 24th against the pass this season, most likely because teams haven’t been able to run the ball on them very well.
What the Steelers need to do to win
Stop Cedric Benson and Carson Palmer. Pittsburgh allowed Benson to rush for 76 yards and one score in the team’s 23-20 loss in Week 3 while also allowing Palmer to throw the game-winning TD pass with just 18 seconds remaining in regulation.
What’s Gonna’ Happen
I know the Steelers are playing at home in this contest – and want to extract some revenge against their AFC North counterparts in this contest – but I like the surprising Bengals to cover the spread here with another fantastic effort.
All five of Cincinnati’s ATS wins this season have come as underdogs and I like them to cover an NFL point spread in this matchup that I think is just a few points to high as this matchup looks like another classic field goal game.
I also like the Under in this matchup with Pittsburgh playing under their O/U total in two consecutive games and Cincinnati playing under the total in three of their last four games overall.
Play the Bengals and the points BetUS NFL pro football sports betting members.
NFL Free Picks: Bengals +7 Points/Under 42 Total Points
