Bengals open as slight favorite over Steelers for Week 12 matchup
Another AFC North contest awaits the Cincinnati Bengals this week when the Pittsburgh Steelers come to town. Both teams happen to be coming off losses to other division rivals in Week 11, and questionable quarterback play on both sides creates an interesting matchup. It's this exact reason why the Bengals, despite losing Joe Burrow for the […]
Another AFC North contest awaits the Cincinnati Bengals this week when the Pittsburgh Steelers come to town.
Both teams happen to be coming off losses to other division rivals in Week 11, and questionable quarterback play on both sides creates an interesting matchup.
It's this exact reason why the Bengals, despite losing Joe Burrow for the remainder of the season, are 1-point favorites over the 6-4 Steelers led by Kenny Pickett.
A -1 spread for the home team is not a sign of confidence for said home team, but considering a Week 1 starting QB is set to go up against a backup making his first-career start, it says a lot about the Week 1 starter.
Pickett's incompetence showed Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh's 13-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns, whom were also starting a backup QB. The Steelers produced 249 total yards on offense, and only 106 came from Pickett through the air. Only four of their 12 first downs were through the passing game.
Lack of trust from both offenses makes it difficult to trust one side over the other. The Steelers were winning in spite of Pickett leading up to Sunday, but the Bengals were extremely reliant on Burrow playing well to win. It may just come down to which defense can dominate the opposing quarterback more.
The Bengals are 2-1 in their last three home games vs. the Steelers. Vegas expects that record to improve to 3-1 this Sunday.
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