Sunday NFL Betting – Steelers To Take Back North On Sunday
The Cincinnati Bengals have been one of the biggest surprises of the NFL season so far this year. They are 6-2 (and really should be 7-1) and currently sit atop the AFC North. They are a completely revived team with a healthy Chad Ochocinco, a replenished defense and a resurgent Cedric Benson.
Time: 1:00 ET
Venue: Heinz Field
Bengals vs. Steelers Sunday Football Lines
MoneyLine: Bengals +250 / Steelers -300
Spread: Steelers -7
Over/Under: 41.5
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And while it has been all goodie gum drops for the Bengals, Sunday presents a very difficult challenge: sweep the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Bengals have already swept the Baltimore Ravens this year and will likely sweep the Cleveland Browns but winning two straight over the Pittsburgh Steelers is no easy feat. Don’t expect it to happen on Sunday.
Bengals offense versus Steelers defense
The Bengals offense has been a well-oiled machine this year. Palmer has been on-point, Ochocinco has been one of the league’s best receivers and now the Bengals have the perfect power running game to complement with Benson.
In the first meeting, the Bengals didn’t wake up until the fourth quarter where they scored 14 points. But you might recall that the Steelers had trouble holding on to leads earlier in the year while safety Troy Polamalu was on the sidelines. Polamalu is back and it is no coincidence that the team has won five straight with him in the lineup. Playing on the road, the Bengals will have to run the ball to stay in it but against this defense, that just seems unlikely.
Steelers offenses versus Bengals defense
Just like the Steelers defense wasn’t quite right in the first contest, neither was the offense.
Back then, Willie Parker was the team’s starting running back and he racked up just 93 yards on 25 carries in the first meeting. Recently, Rashard Mendenhall has taken over the starting duties and he has been fantastic. Mendenhall is averaging 5.7 yards per carry and has four touchdowns in his five starts.
The Bengals are going to have to be prepared for a more dynamic attack.
While the Steelers are better equipped to run the ball, their passing game remains as one of the best around. They don’t need to fill the stat sheets but they have excellent possession targets in Hines Ward and Heath Miller, and they have deep threats with Santonio Holmers and Mike Wallace. This offense is a handful.
Outlook & Pick
There’s a lot going for the Steelers in this matchup. They have Polamalu back, they have a running game with Mendenhall, they have home field advantage and they have revenge on their minds.
The Bengals are a good team but this is a tough spot for them. The Steelers should win handily in this contest and make a statement that the division still goes through them.
Pick: Steelers -7
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Dave Golokhov has written for BETUS Sportsbook, Sportsfanmagazine.com, FOX, Askmen.com, Sports-central.org, and the FOXSports.com Funhouse.