MNF: Steelers vs. Bengals odds, preview, and pick
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) runs with the ball. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire)
December 18th, 2020
The Pittsburgh Steelers will try to right the ship when they visit Cincinnati to face the Bengals on Monday Night Football.
The Steelers are prohibitive favorites in this game with a spread of nearly two touchdowns, while the total of 40 points is easily the lowest in the NFL during Week 15.
Steelers clinging to top seed in AFC
The Steelers seemed to be cruising towards the best record in the AFC, but consecutive losses to Washington and Buffalo have suddenly put the bye in peril. The Steelers scored just two touchdowns in each of those losses after averaging more than 30 points over their first 10 games, and QB Ben Roethlisberger put in his worst performance of the season last weekend.
The lack of a running game has hurt Pittsburgh’s balance, gaining just 68 yards on 31 carries in the two defeats. They now sit second-worst in the NFL with 89.1 yards rushing per contest, but Cincinnati’s defense should allow them to find some space on the ground and won’t present a terrible challenge to Big Ben in the passing game.
Even with James Conner and Maurkice Pouncey back, the Steelers still couldn't get anything going in the run game. '
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) December 14, 2020
Conner: 10 carries, 18 yards.
Samuels: 4 carries, 15 yards.
Snell: 3 carries, 14 yards.
The defense has also seen regression since the loss of edge rusher Bud Dupree. The Steelers set a new NFL sack streak record at 70 consecutive games in the loss to Buffalo, but it was their lone sack of the day. This is also partly due to their offensive struggles allowing opposing teams to remain two-dimensional offensively. That should not be the case against a Bengals’ offense averaging just 10 points per game over the last five contests.
Steelers and Bengals statistics and rankings
| Team | Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | Passing Yards Allowed | Rushing Yards Allowed |
|---|
Pittsburgh Steelers | 246.5 (15th) | 89.1. (31st) | 202.2 (2nd) | 100.9 (6th) |
Cincinnati Bengals | 227.0 (22nd) | 92.3 (29th) | 250.6 (23rd) | 131.9 (29th) |
Bengals hoping to end five game skid
As for Cincinnati, things have not been good since Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury. They have scored just seven points in each of their last two games, and have lost by double-digits in all but one of their last four contests. That includes a 36-10 blowout loss to these very Steelers in Burrow’s last full game.
QB Brandon Allen’s performances have improved a little each week, but he simply does not have enough help from the Bengals’ run game with Joe Mixon still on IR. The offensive line hasn’t been much help either, with only the Eagles suffering more sacks this season than the 46 conceded by Cincinnati. Allen’s status for Monday night is in the air with a bone bruise on his knee, meaning Ryan Finley might get to experience the Pittsburgh pass rush up close and personal.
If this is it for Geno Atkins in Cincinnati, he’s ending as a #Bengals legend.
— Blake Jewell (@BlakeJewellNFL) December 16, 2020
He’s 2nd in all-time sacks for the Bengals with 75.5
He’s also the only DT that registered 550+ pressures from 2010-2019. pic.twitter.com/g41AScHhGt
Cincinnati’s pass defense isn’t just bad, they give up massive chunk plays. They rank fifth-worst in the NFL with 47 pass plays of 20 or more yards allowed, and their 15 sacks are the second-fewest in the league this season. That includes a sack-less year from star DT Geno Atkins, who was placed on IR Wednesday and will end the year without a sack for the first time in his illustrious career.
Pittsburgh vs. Cincinnati injury report
Pittsburgh held practice Thursday without Roethlisberger, but he is expected to play on Monday. CB Joe Haden also practiced, and appears to be ready to return from concussion protocol. RB James Connor was injured last week, and is questionable for the game Monday.
As for Cincinnati, Allen missed practice on Thursday and will be a game-time decision. LB Logan Wilson is doubtful with an ankle injury. Safety Brandon Wilson returned to practice after missing last week’s contest.
Steelers vs. Bengals betting trends
Pittsburgh has failed to cover the spread in four of its last six games, but has covered or pushed in 12 of its last 15 with the Bengals, and has won the last seven meetings in Cincinnati. The total has gone Under in five of these teams last six games.
Cincinnati has lost five straight, covering just once during that stretch. However, the Bengals have covered in four of their last five home games. The total has gone Under in four of their last five games, and four of their last five meetings with Pittsburgh as well.
This is a really bad matchup for the Bengals, and it comes at a time when the Steelers know they have to likely win out to hold onto the top spot. They will want to end their two-game skid and right the ship, and nothing solves issues like a win over a rival team.
Look for Pittsburgh’s passing attack to feast on the Bengals’ lowly pass defense, and their pass rush should make it a long night for whomever takes the snaps for the home team. Take the Steelers to win this one in dominant fashion and to clinch the AFC North.
Score prediction: Pittsburgh 31, Cincinnati 6
NFL picks: Steelers -13, Under 40
Wager on all NFL Week 15 action on BetAmerica!
ADVERTISEMENT
