Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Odds & Betting

Written by Jimmy Boyd on November 11, 2009

First place in the AFC North is on the line when the 6-2 Cincinnati Bengals take on the 6-2 Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday. Last week, both teams came out smelling like roses. The Bengals completed their season sweep of the Ravens with a 17-7 win while the Steelers crushed the Broncos 28-10 on Monday Night Football. These teams have already met once this season, and in that meeting Bengals QB Carson Palmer completed a last-minute touchdown strike to Andre Caldwell to earn a 23-20 win. That was a rare win for Cincy in the series as the Steelers have won five of the last six meetings and own a commanding 48-30 lead in the all-time series. NFL odds makers expect Pittsburgh to have its revenge, listing the Steelers as a 7-point favorite with the total set at 42.

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The Bengals have not defeated the Steelers consecutive times in over a decade (since 1998) and it will be no easy task as the Steelers are 7-0 at home against AFC North foes under coach Mike Tomlin. In the first first meeting this season, the Steelers did not have Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu. The defense was not nearly as daunting without the best safety in the league (in my opinion), but now he is back and making big plays. His importance can be summed up in back-to-back plays late in last Monday’s game with the Broncos. On the first play, be blew up the run with an impressive read. On the very next play, he picked off Kyle Orton. The guy is one of the best playmakers in the league and it is worth mentioning that the Steelers are an impressive 16-3 when he has an interception.

QB Ben Roethlisberger is having an MVP-caliber season, completing over 70 percent of his passes. Monday, Rashard Mendenhall made Big Ben’s job even easier as he helped torch the Broncos for 173 rushing yards. Mendenhall was not Pittsburgh’s featured back the last time these two teams faced off, but since he took over the role in Week 4, Pittsburgh is 5-0. If Pittsburgh can continue to find running room, it’s offense is going to be next to unstoppable. It is worth noting that the Steelers are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 home games. If you like Pittsburgh to keep rolling and to cover the spread in the process, bet the Steelers at -7 at BetUS.

While the running game has been a big part of Pittsburgh’s recent run, it has been a huge part of why Cincinnati has gone from being one of the worst team’s in the NFL last season to one of the best this season. The guy doing most of the damage is Chicago Bears castoff Cedric Benson. Benson is the second leading rusher in the NFL with 837 yards and he has done it against some of the better run-stuffing units in the league, including the Steelers in Week 3. A strong running game will be the key to pulling off the upset in Pittsburgh this week as the Bengals are an awesome 26-1 when getting at least 25 rushing attempts under coach Marvin Lewis. It is worth noting that the Bengals are a perfect 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog. If you like Cincinnati to keep this one close, bet the Bengals at +7 at BetUS.

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