The Pittsburgh Steelers will face off against the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday in a pivotal AFC North matchup. With an 8-3 record, the Steelers are currently leading the division, while the Bengals are struggling at 4-7, desperately trying to keep their playoff hopes alive. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM EST.
Read on for the prediction of the Steelers vs. Bengals game.
Steelers Aim to Rebound
The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering Cincinnati with the goal of maintaining their top position in the AFC North, especially with the Baltimore Ravens closely trailing. Last week, they suffered a setback against the Cleveland Browns, losing 24-19 in a game filled with challenges. Quarterback Russell Wilson completed 21 of 28 passes for 271 yards and a touchdown but faced pressure, getting sacked four times. Overall, the Steelers amassed 368 total yards but had a turnover that proved costly. Defensively, they allowed 304 yards to the Browns and limited their third-down efficiency, but couldn’t stop the final drive that secured the loss.
“I thought the Cleveland Browns played tough tonight. They made more critical plays than we did, and that’s what it comes down to,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
The Steelers are looking to bounce back against the Bengals this Sunday. They rank 14th in scoring offense and 18th in total offense. Struggling in both rushing and passing, they sit at 27th and 26th in those categories, respectively. Their red zone efficiency is concerning, ranking 30th in the league. On the defensive side, they are 4th in scoring defense, showcasing their strength against the run but are more vulnerable in pass defense, ranking 17th.
Key injuries include linebacker Alex Highsmith, who is questionable, while cornerbacks Cory Trice Jr. and CJ Henderson, wide receiver Roman Wilson, and defensive tackle Montravius Adams are out.
Bengals’ Do-or-Die Situation
After a week off to regroup, the Cincinnati Bengals are in a must-win scenario against the Steelers following a disappointing 34-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on November 17th. The Bengals found themselves trailing 24-6 at halftime but rallied to tie the game in the second half. However, missed field goals by Evan MacPherson, who is usually reliable, proved to be a turning point. Quarterback Joe Burrow had a strong finish with 356 passing yards and three touchdowns, while wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase contributed with 75 yards and two touchdowns.
“We’ve faced tough opponents, and we need to find a way to finish games,” stated head coach Zac Taylor. “We are always a play away from victory.”
The Bengals must secure a victory to keep their playoff aspirations alive. They possess a top-ranked passing game, sitting first in the league in that category, but their rushing offense struggles, ranking 25th. Defensively, they have been inconsistent, sitting at 28th in scoring defense and 23rd in total defense, which puts pressure on their offense to perform.
Key injuries for the Bengals include defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, wide receiver Charlie Jones, offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr., and linebacker Joe Bachie, who are all questionable. Cornerback DJ Turner II is confirmed out.
Best Bets for Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
