Oddsmakers take an unexpected stance on Bengals ahead of Week 13 matchup vs Steelers
It's been three full weeks since the Cincinnati Bengals (4-7) have won a football game, and their next opportunity is against the leader of their own division when the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) come to Paycor Stadium next Sunday.It's very late in the year for the Bengals and Steelers to have their first meeting of the […]
It's been three full weeks since the Cincinnati Bengals (4-7) have won a football game, and their next opportunity is against the leader of their own division when the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) come to Paycor Stadium next Sunday.
It's very late in the year for the Bengals and Steelers to have their first meeting of the season. Had this matchup occur in September, Pittsburgh would have a different quarterback leading the charge, and the Bengals' playoff hopes wouldn't be as diminished. Nevertheless, it's a chance for the home team to get their biggest victory of the season.
And the oddsmakers, surprisingly, believe it very well can happen.
Bengals emerge as opening favorites vs Steelers
Despite being four games behind the Steelers in the AFC North title race, the Bengals begin the week as 2.5-point favorites over their heated rivals.
I know, I'm having trouble believing it myself. Let's go through the facts here.
The Bengals have yet to beat a team with a winning record. The Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Commanders, Baltimore Ravens (twice), and Los Angeles Chargers all took home tight victories against the Bengals this year, and the Philadelphia Eagles blew them out. They were favored in two of those games and obviously didn't cover those spreads. They're 2-4 against the spread in all six contests.
Cincinnati's four wins on the year have come against teams with losing records and the club was favored by at least 3.5 points in each contest.
When the Bengals have been notable favorites, they haven’t disappointed. 2.5 points in comparison is typically a representation of homefield advantage, but that's the exact spread from when the Bengals hosted the Eagles before they lost by 20 points at home.
The sportsbooks are giving the Bengals the same benefit of the doubt this time. Is it because the Steelers lost in a Thursday night blizzard to the Cleveland Browns on the road? Is it because the Bengals are 6-5 against the spread overall this season? Is the Joe Burrow effect simply too strong despite so many heartbreaking losses this year that say otherwise?
No one really has a good answer. It seems fairly obvious that the Bengals should be underdogs for this one, but those with the money aren't giving up on them just yet.
Bengals’ playoff chances avoid the worst but don’t get much help during Week 12 bye
A look at where Cincinnati stands in the AFC playoff race after Week 12.
