Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Sept. 24, 2021

Jonathan Willis
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

No one is sure whether Ben Roethlisberger will start on Sunday for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Roethlisberger has been limited in practice this week because of a pectoral injury. His status is up in the air, and if he can’t go, either Mason Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins will be called upon to lead the Steelers against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Score Prediction: Cincinnati 21, Pittsburgh 17

Best Bet: Cincinnati +3

Best Bet: Under 43.5

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Predictions

Cincinnati had lost 11 straight games to Pittsburgh before the Bengals pulled out a victory behind Ryan Finley in Week 15 last year. Joe Burrow will now look to beat the Steelers for the first time, and he has a great opportunity with Pittsburgh’s offense in disarray.

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Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Odds

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Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Resources

• Matchup: AFC North
• Date: Sunday, September 26, 2021
• Venue: Heinz Field
• Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• TV-Time: CBS - 1:00 p.m. ET

• Line Movements
• Betting Trend Movements
• Weather Report
• Injury Report
• Super Bowl 56 Betting

Cincinnati Bengals Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 1-1
• ATS: 1-1
• O/U: 1-1
• ATS - Home: 1-0
• ATS - Away: 0-1

Burrow had a promising rookie season before it was cut short by injury. After some hiccups early in training camp, he seems to be mostly back to the talented young passer we saw last year. He is averaging 8.2 YPA and has three good receivers to throw too including favorite ex-LSU target Ja’Marr Chase. Chase is Cincinnati’s big play threat, averaging 22.1 YPR.

Although the Steelers have a great run defense, Joe Mixon has had a lot of success against Pittsburgh’s front seven in his career. Mixon is averaging 5.5 YPC in six games against the Steelers. With Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu on injured reserve and T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith banged up, Mixon could be in line for a nice game on Sunday.

Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 1-1
• ATS: 1-1
• O/U: 0-2
• ATS - Home: 0-1
• ATS - Away: 1-0

Even if Roethlisberger plays, he has not been good this season. He is the second-lowest rated quarterback in the league according to Pro Football Focus, as the Steelers have really struggled to move the ball. However, a banged-up Roethlisberger is still better than Rudolph or Haskins, as neither quarterback has impressed.

This offense would look better if the offensive line could create some running lanes for rookie Najee Harris. Harris is averaging just 3.2 YPC, but he is running well and has been hit behind the line of scrimmage way too often. He has done a good job picking up what he has been able to pick up, and he has been a threat in the receiving game too.

The Cincinnati Bengals have gone UNDER the point total in 12 of their last 18 road games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Cincinnati Bengals

• Record: 1-1
• Division Standing: 1st - AFC North
• Points Scored: 44
• Points Allowed: 44
• PS/G: 22 (20th)
• PA/G: 22 (10th)

Inside the Stats - Pittsburgh Steelers

• Record: 1-1
• Division Standing: 1st - AFC North
• Points Scored: 40
• Points Allowed: 42
• PS/G: 20 (24th)
• PA/G: 21 (9th)

Key Players to Watch

• CIN: Joe Burrow - QB (39/57, 468 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT)
• CIN: Tee Higgins - WR (10 catches, 118 yards, 2 TD)
• PIT: Ben Roethlisberger - QB (45/72, 483 yards, 2 TD, INT)
• PIT: T.J. Watt - LB (7 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 FF)

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Conclusion

Cincinnati has a great opportunity to beat a Pittsburgh team dealing with a lot of important injuries. The Steelers aren’t great on offense, and the Bengals can have some success moving the ball against this defense given their injury situation.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Trends

• Pittsburgh has failed to cover the spread in five straight games when playing as the favorite.
• Pittsburgh has won 11 of its last 12 games when facing Cincinnati.
• Pittsburgh has gone OVER the point total in five of its last six divisional games.
• Cincinnati has lost 20 of its last 22 road games.
• Cincinnati has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five road games.

Where to place a bet this NFL Season?

• Use our exclusive BetMGM Bonus Code VIBONUS1500 to unlock BetMGM’s welcome offer for new sportsbook users!
• Compare the latest NFL Odds from the best sportsbooks before placing a bet on this week's games.
• Check out the North Carolina Sportsbooks just before they launch legal online sports betting.

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