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The final weekend of the regular season showcases two pivotal AFC North matchups. The Saturday night feature pits the Cincinnati Bengals (8-8; 10-6-0 ATS) against the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6; 10-6-0 ATS) in a rematch of their December 1 encounter, where the Steelers triumphed 44-38 on the road. Now, the setting shifts to Acrisure Stadium, with playoff implications hanging in the balance when the game kicks off at 8:00 p.m. EST. Which team will secure a positive finish to their season?
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Cincinnati’s Winning Surge
Following their defeat to the Steelers last month, the Bengals have surged with four straight victories. Their latest win, a close 30-24 battle against Denver, keeps their playoff hopes alive, contingent on a victory against Pittsburgh and favorable outcomes from other games involving Denver and Miami.
Cincinnati’s success this season heavily relies on the exceptional duo of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. Burrow currently leads the league in passing yards and touchdowns, while Chase tops the charts in receptions and receiving stats across the board. This dynamic combination has propelled the Bengals to an average of 368.8 yards (8th) and 28.3 points (6th) per game, despite struggling in the rushing department, ranking 29th overall. Nevertheless, with 20 turnovers and 21 sacks allowed, the Bengals hope to maintain their impressive scoring streak of at least 24 points for the ninth consecutive game.
However, Cincinnati’s defense presents a significant concern. They sit 27th in yards allowed and 29th in scoring defense. The Bengals have managed to hold only the NFL’s lowest-scoring teams (Browns, Giants, and Patriots) below 20 points this season. Their struggles against both the run and pass have led to 32 sacks (26th) and 24 takeaways (8th). The key question remains: can they improve upon the 44 points conceded in their first matchup against Pittsburgh?
Key Injuries – Joe Burrow (questionable); Chase Brown (questionable); Tee Higgins (questionable); Orlando Brown Jr. (questionable); Amarius Mims (questionable); Sam Hubbard (questionable)
Pittsburgh’s Struggles in December
On a brighter note, the Steelers have secured a playoff spot. However, their recent three-game losing streak has coincided with the Ravens’ three-game winning streak, leaving Pittsburgh needing help to regain control of the division. To clinch the AFC North title, the Steelers must defeat the Bengals and hope for a Ravens loss on Saturday.
The Steelers’ struggles have been evident on offense, as they’ve failed to score 20 points in any of their last three losses. Averaging 22.7 points per game (14th), they possess the 10th most rushing yards but rank 24th in yards per carry. Quarterback Russell Wilson has shown promise with a solid 7.7 yards per attempt, but pressure from opposing defenses has resulted in 45 sacks allowed (23rd). With 16 turnovers (10th), this is an unfortunate time for Pittsburgh to experience a downturn. Will they find a way to regain momentum this Saturday night?
Defensively, the Steelers have also shown signs of decline in recent weeks, allowing 27 or more points in three of their last four games. While they maintain the 11th-best ranking in yards allowed, the defense has slipped to 20th in yards per attempt against the pass. Despite having 36 sacks (22nd), they still lead the league with 31 takeaways. The challenge remains: can they effectively contain the Bengals this time around?
Key Injuries – Donte Jackson (questionable)
Best Bets for Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
