Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Matchup

Read our Bengals vs Steelers pick and preview for this NFL pre-season week 18 game in Pittsburgh. Check out who we like to win and cover the spread in this regular season NFL matchup.

ABC will broadcast the week 18 AFC North matchup between the Bengals and Steelers on Saturday, January 4th at 8:00 ET. The game, played at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, is crucial for both teams, as each needs a win to improve their playoff chances. The Bengals are favored on the road with a money line of -125, while the Steelers' money line odds are +105. The current point spread favors the Bengals by -1.5 points, with the over/under line set at 48.5 points.

Bengals vs. Steelers Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NFL
Teams: Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
Where: Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium
Date: Saturday, January 4th
Betting Odds CIN -1.5, CIN -125 | PIT +105 O/U 48.5

Bengals Preview:

Heading into week 18, the Bengals have won four straight games, bringing their record to 8-8. This streak includes a 30-24 win over the Broncos in week 17, where they covered the 3-point spread. Cincinnati also covered in their previous three games, including a 24-6 win over the Browns in week 16, a 37-27 win over the Titans in week 15, and a 27-20 win over the Cowboys in week 14.

With a +2.2 scoring margin, the Bengals are 10-6 against the spread this season. Their O/U record is 11-5, with their games averaging 54.4 points. Cincinnati currently ranks 13th in our NFL power rankings and has a 10.1% chance of making the playoffs.

Bengals Offense Breakdown

Joe Burrow has been on fire, throwing for 412 yards and 3 touchdowns in week 17, following his 252-yard, 3-touchdown performance in week 16 and 271 yards and 3 touchdowns in week 15. However, he was sacked 7 times in his last game against the Broncos. Tee Higgins had a big game in week 17, with 11 catches for 131 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Ja’Marr Chase led the team in receiving in weeks 15 and 16. Chase Brown rushed for 67 yards on 20 carries in week 17.

Heading into week 18, Cincinnati ranks 5th in our offensive power rankings. They lead the NFL in passing yards per game (274.6) and are 6th in points per game, averaging 28.3. The Bengals rank 4th in 3rd-down conversions but are 26th in red zone efficiency.

Bengals Team Defense

In their 30-24 overtime win over the Broncos, the Bengals' defense gave up 206 passing yards and allowed three passing touchdowns. Denver found success running the ball, gaining 123 yards on 27 attempts. The Bengals' defense struggled to stop the run, allowing 4.6 yards per attempt, but they did force one interception.

Despite allowing Denver to convert on 77.4% of their passes, the Bengals held the Broncos to 33.3% on third down. Cincinnati also recorded two sacks in the game.

Steelers Preview:

The Steelers enter week 18 against the Bengals looking to snap a three-game losing streak, which includes a 29-10 home loss to the Chiefs in week 17. Despite the recent skid, Pittsburgh is 10-6 and has already secured a playoff spot, though their chances of winning the AFC North are just 5.8%. They rank 14th in our power rankings heading into the final week of the regular season.

Against the spread, the Steelers are 10-6, with an average scoring margin of +2.2 points per game. They have an even 5-3 ATS record as both favorites and underdogs. Their O/U record is 8-8, with their games averaging 43.2 points compared to an average line of 41.6.

Steelers Offense Breakdown

Russell Wilson's passer rating has declined in each of his last three games, dropping from 94 in week 15 to 92 in week 16, and then to 65 in week 17 against the Chiefs, when he threw for 205 yards, completing 23 of 37 passes with no touchdowns and one interception. The Steelers have also struggled to score early, failing to put up any points in the first quarter in weeks 16 and 17.

Heading into week 18, Pittsburgh ranks 16th in the NFL in yards per game (327.3) and 14th in points per game (22.7). They have leaned heavily on the run, averaging 31.9 rushing attempts per game, which ranks 3rd in the league, while their 196.6 passing yards per game ranks 25th. On 3rd down, the Steelers are converting 39.8% of the time, which ranks 12th in the NFL.

Steelers Team Defense

In their 29-10 loss to the Chiefs, the Steelers' defense allowed 8.4 yards per attempt in the passing game. They gave up 320 yards through the air, with Kansas City completing 76.3% of their passes and throwing for three touchdowns. Despite not allowing much on the ground (69 yards on 20 attempts), Pittsburgh couldn't generate any pressure, finishing with zero sacks and losing the QB hit and tackles for loss differentials.

On third downs, the Chiefs converted 70% of their attempts, and the Steelers' offense managed just 10 points, totaling 389 yards for the game.

Bengals vs Steelers Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

In their last ten games away from home, the Bengals have a straight up record of 5-5 while going 7-3 vs. the spread. The team averaged 25 points per game in this stretch.
Across their ten previous home games, Pittsburgh has an ATS mark of 5-5. Their straight up record in these matchups was 5-5 while averaging 22 points per game.
As the betting underdog, the Steelers have an ATS mark of just 6-4 in their last ten games. Pittsburgh posted a straight up mark of 6-4 in these matchups.
Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Bengals have a straight up record of 8-2. But, their mark vs the spread was just 8-2.