Get up to 145% in Signup Bonuses at BetUS!

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers Week 12 NFL Odds & Picks

With just three days between games, the Pittsburgh Steelers won’t have much time to prepare for the Bengals this week, however, that seems to be all the time odds makers think the Steelers will need. Bookmaker has listed the Steelers as the 11-point favorites with the total set at 34 for the Thursday night Week 12 opener.

If Pittsburgh is going to increase its AFC North lead against the 1-8 Bengals, it will need a strong outing from its QB and leader Ben Roethlisberger. It appeared as if Roethlisberger was going to build off of his 2007 Pro Bowl campaign, starting the year with nine touchdown strikes against just three picks through the first six games as the Steelers went 5-1. Over the next three games, Roethlisberger, who has been battling a shoulder injury, and the Steelers faltered, losing two of those three contests with Big Ben throwing just one touchdown against eight picks. Last week, Roethlisberger was finally able to get a full week’s worth of practice in leading up the the game with the San Diego Chargers and it paid off. He went 31 of 41 for 308 yards and did not commit any costly turnovers. Most importantly, he still showed his magic in leaded the Steelers on a game-winning drive in the final minutes. While Big Ben has torched the Bengals on the road, throwing for 11 scores against just three picks and compiling a 6-0 record, he has struggled at home. He has been intercepted eight times as the Steelers have lost two of the last three to the Bengals at Heinz Field. Wide receiver Hines Ward could help his QB put his home struggles to the Bengals behind him with a big game. Ward is working off of back-to-back 100-yard games but he will likely be a marked man after what happened in the first meeting between these two teams this season. Ward broke Bengals rookie linebacker Keith Rivers’ jaw with a bone crushing block that ended his season. The Bengals lost that game to fall to 0-7 on the year. If you like Pittsburgh to win and cover the number in the process, bet the Steelers at -11 at Bookmaker.

This is the best position the Bengals have been in all season. Off a win against Jacksonville and a bye week to rest and prepare, Cincy then held the high-powered Eagles to 13 points in a tie game. Now the Bengals will try to pull off a shocking upset again this week. The Bengals are improving as QB Ryan Fitzpatrick gets better and better. He has now started six games for the injured Carson Palmer and his last two have been great starts. He threw two touchdown passes against Jacksonville, then went 29-for-44 for a season-high 261 yards and a score against the Eagles. Fitzpatrick was 21 of 35 and a touchdown in his first start against the Steelers, but he was dropped seven times behind the line of scrimmage. Pittsburgh brings the NFL’s top-ranked defense to the table and is also No. 1 in the league against the pass so Fitzpatrick knows he needs to play his best game as a pro. Fitzpatrick’s job should be a little easier thanks to T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who leads the NFL with 73 receptions. Houshmandzadeh has four touchdown catches in his last three games in Pittsburgh and will look to provide the answer at Heinz Field once again. The Steelers have dropped three of five overall against Cincinnati at Heinz Field and if you like them to pull off the upset, bet the Bengals at +11 at Bookmaker.

Do all of your Week 12 NFL betting on Jimmy Boyd’s NFL picks this week to really beat the NFL odds to a bloody pulp.

20% Bonus and Early Lines at Bookmaker!

Comments