While this match-up might not be the top-of-the-table clash one would expect for the Game of the Week, there’s money to be made on a result that will have a big impact on the make-up of the AFC North.
The Bengals have winning form over the Steelers in recent years, but can they do it without their best player and leader at QB?
Bengals vs. Steelers
27th November 5:00am
The Steelers, who had won four of their previous five games prior to last week’s 13-10 loss to the Browns, will continue their push for the playoffs when they head to Cincinnati as the $1.74 favourites with BetDeluxe.
After starting the season 2-2, Mike Tomlin’s men pieced together one of the more impressive runs with wins against the Ravens, Rams, Titans and Packers. However, their offensive game has long been an issue – their 166 points rank ahead of only the Jets and Patriots in the AFC – so the decision was made this week to relieve Matt Canada of his offensive coordinator duties on Wednesday.
The fact that Pittsburgh remains in playoffs contention is a minor miracle and due to a defence that’s produced 19 turnovers and ranks second in the league. With the reshuffle of their offensive staff and more pressure being heaped on QB Kenny Pickett, the Steeler’s defence will need to stand up once more if they are to go 7-4 and heap pressure on the Ravens and Browns.
The job of Pittsburgh’s defence got a whole lot easier with the season-ending wrist injury to Bengals’ QB, Joe Burrow.
The MVP candidate led his side to four wins from five games and back into finals contention after their 1-3 start to the season, but everything came crashing down when he tore a ligament in his wrist against the Ravens.
For this reason, the Bengals are outsiders at home despite having won four of their past five match-ups against the Steelers. The last time these two teams met was just over a year ago, and it was the Bengals who triumphed 37-30 in Pittsburgh.
All the pressure now falls on the shoulders of backup QB Jake Browning, who stepped in and went 8 for 14 for 68 yards and a touchdown following Burrow’s injury.
While Browning acclimatises to his new role as the main man for Zac Taylor, it’s hard to see them putting up a winning score against this Steelers defence.
Suggested Bet: Steelers to win @ $1.74
