Bengals vs. Steelers Total Pick
What can we expect when division rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers meet up this Sunday at 4:25PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Pittsburgh is favored at home, as the Steelers are getting odds of -5.5 points against the Bengals. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 40.5 points. Pittsburgh has won four straight in this series and these two have hit the under in their last three encounters. The public betting in this one has Cincinnati getting 51 percent of the wagers. Sunday’s game takes place from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and will air live on CBS.
The Bengals have won two straight and are coming off their bye week. Cincinnati is 2-3 on the season and 4-1 with the under. The Bengals have been strong on defense, allowing just 16.6 points and 284.8 yards per game. That includes only 181.6 passing yards per game. On offense, Cincy is putting up just 16.8 points and 328 yards per game. Andy Dalton has 1,220 passing yards with seven touchdowns and six interceptions. A.J. Green has caught 32 passes for 504 yards and three scores. The run game is really lacking for Cincy, as Joe Mixon is the leading rusher with 187 yards on 67 carries.
Pittsburgh is coming off a 19-13 win at Kansas City last week to improve to 4-2 on the season. The Steelers are a perfect 6-0 with the under this season. Their defense is a big reason for that, allowing just 17 points and 296.2 yards per game. Their pass defense is among the best in the country, allowing just 177.7 yards per game through the air. Offensively, Pittsburgh is putting up 19.7 points and 360.8 yards per game. Ben Roethlisberger has thrown for 1,521 yards and seven touchdowns, but also has eight interceptions. Antonio Brown has caught 48 passes for 700 yards and two touchdowns while Le’Veon Bell has 550 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
When you think of this matchup, you think physical football. However, these two are able to put up a decent number of points. Despite hitting the under in four of their last five meetings, they have scored at least 40 points in three of the last four. I think some big plays will happen in this game, either from the defense scoring, to a breakout touchdown or two. Both teams are capable of getting to 20 points on Sunday. I think the total is too low for this one.
NFL WEEK 7 PREDICTION: BENGALS/STEELERS OVER 40.5