The Pittsburgh Steelers will meet the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13 for the first of two games between the AFC North foes over the final six weeks. The Bengals will play host to the Steelers this week, and then Pittsburgh will welcome Cincinnati to Acrisure Stadium in Week 18.
The Steelers are coming off a 24-19 loss at the hands of the Cleveland Browns last week, a loss that snapped Pittsburgh’s five-game winning streak. The Steelers are in first place entering this game, but a loss and a Baltimore Ravens win would push head coach Mike Tomlin’s squad into second.
Meanwhile, the Bengals are in the midst of a terribly disappointing season. Cincy has lost three of its last four and is on the outside looking in for a playoff spot in the AFC with a 4-7 record.
The Steelers have had the Bengals’ number the past few years, with Pittsburgh winning the last two meetings, and three of the last four.
Do experts think that will continue, or do they believe the Bengals will notch a win on Sunday? Take a look.
NFL picks, predictions Week 13: Steelers vs. Bengals
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Bengals 21, Steelers 17
Iyer: “The Steelers need to run to do well with the Russell Wilson downfield passing game, and the Bengals have shored up that issue from much earlier in the season. The Bengals, coming off a bye, know they can still control their playoff fate at 4-7. They should exploit the key holes in Pittsburgh’s defense with Joe Burrow staying hot.”
Bill Bender, Sporting News: Steelers 27, Bengals 25
Bender: “The Bengals are in win-or-else mode for pretty much the rest of the regular season, and the line looks curious knowing Joe Burrow is 3-2 with 11 TDs and eight interceptions in five career starts against the Steelers. Pittsburgh had extra time to sort out a loss to the Browns, and we can’t picture Tomlin going 0-for-Ohio in two weeks. Would you expect anything less than a dramatic finish here?”
Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Bengals 27, Steelers 20
Cluff: “Joe Burrow continues to be ranked high in the NFL MVP odds, although Cincinnati is just 4-7 on the season. He’ll show why in helping the Bengals win a must-win game against the Steelers.”
Sayre Bedinger, NFL Spin Zone: Bengals 28, Steelers 21
Bedinger: “The Steelers are not perfect, by any means, and this Bengals team is capable of absolutely lighting up the scoreboard. Joe Burrow likely just can’t believe his luck with the fact that he’s thrown a whopping 12 touchdown passes over the last three weeks and only has one win to show for it. I’m going to say the Bengals, who are actually 2.5 point favorites at home this week, find a way to cover the spread and win by six or more.”
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Bengals 26, Steelers 20
Prisco: “The Bengals are off the bye and have to win out to basically have a playoff shot. The Steelers lost to the Browns in the snow last Thursday. The defense let them down in that game, and now they get Joe Burrow and company. That’s not easy. Burrow will find a way to win it.”
Matt Bowen: Steelers
Mike Clay: Bengals
Dan Graziano: Bengals
Eric Moody: Bengals
Seth Wickersham: Bengals
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