Pittsburgh at Cincinnati Spread, Free Pick & TV Info

Huge game in the AFC North on Sunday as Pittsburgh looks to keep at least a one-game lead over second-place Baltimore as well as staying in the wild-card hunt. As for the Bengals, they are simply playing out the string for the most part and Coach Marvin Lewis is expected to be fired after the season. Pittsburgh is a slight road favorite in NFL betting and the weather could be interesting in Cincinnati.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati Spread, Free Pick & TV Info

It’s AFC North football this week, and that means physical football. | https://t.co/WZg1ECN2AI pic.twitter.com/09vdadvLhS

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 14, 2016

When: Sunday, Dec. 18, 1 PM ET Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati TV: CBS Radio: Pittsburgh / Cincinnati Stream Option: NFL Live Opening NFL Lines: Steelers -3 (44)

Why Bet on Pittsburgh?

Last week at Buffalo, running back Le’Veon Bell had 298 scrimmage yards (236 rushing, 62 receiving) and three touchdowns in the Steelers’ 27-20 win, joining Hall of Famer Jim Brown as the only players in NFL history with at least 225 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns and 50 receiving yards in a single game. After scoring in the first half on 3- and 7-yard runs, Bell put the game away on the opening drive of the third quarter. He had nine rushes for 72 yards alone and capped the 82-yard drive by waltzing into the end zone from 5 yards. It was the second three-TD game of his career, and first in which he scored three times rushing. Bell broke the franchise rushing record set by Willie Parker, who had 223 yards against Cleveland on Dec. 7, 2006. The Steelers overcame three interceptions thrown by Ben Roethlisberger to win their fourth straight. Pittsburgh wide receiver Antonio Brown had five receptions for 78 yards, increasing his season total to 93 receptions. With seven receptions on Sunday at Cincinnati, Brown, who has had three consecutive 100-catch seasons since 2013, will tie Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison (four from 1999-2002) for the most consecutive 100-catch seasons in NFL history. The running game has clearly been a catalyst for the four-game winning streak, with Bell rushing 118 times in his past four games. Since Week 10, Bell has 166 touches for more than 900 yards. Bell promises to walk away from the latest clash with Vontaze Burfict and the Bengals with two healthy knees. Bell has suffered injuries in each of the past two matchups with Cincinnati, tearing two knee ligaments in Week 8 of last season after Burfict tackled him by the sideline. The hit ended his season. Bell said during the offseason that he believed Burfict — who served a three-game suspension for several egregious hits — intentionally tried to hurt him. “I’m pretty sure they are going to do whatever they got to try to get me off the field. It is what it is. I understand that,” Bell said.

Why Bet on Cincinnati?

The Bengals (5-7- 1) technically aren’t eliminated from the playoffs yet but it would take a miracle. They won a second straight last week, 23-10 over Cleveland. Andy Dalton threw two touchdown passes to Tyler Eifert. Cincinnati took the opening kickoff and drove 73 yards as Dalton connected with Eifert for a 14-yard TD. After the Browns punted, Jeremy Hill’s 1-yard plunge capped Cincinnati’s second possession to make it 13-0. Dalton’s second TD to Eifert, a 5-yard pass on third down, put the Bengals up 20-0. The Bengals might get back star receiver A.J. Green this week. He was back at practice Wednesday for the first time since he was carted off with a Grade II hamstring tear against the Bills in Week 11. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said on Monday that Green would test out the hamstring this week and decide his game status later. Cincinnati will have a new kicker this week as Mike Nugent was released after missing a PAT vs. the Browns, his sixth missed PAT of the season. Nugent missed a PAT against the Redskins in London. That game went into overtime and ended in a tie. He also missed two costly PATs against the Bills, forcing the Bengals to play for a late touchdown instead of a game-winning field goal. The Bengals lost that game. It’s possible the team could be 7-6 right now instead of 5-7- 1. Nugent, an Ohio native and All-American at Ohio State, has been with the Bengals since the 2010 season. He set Bengals records in 2011 with 132 points and 33 field goals made, and also shares the franchise record for longest regular-season field goal (55 yards). Randy Bullock is the new kicker. The Bengals tried out a group of kickers, including Bullock, around midseason, but ultimately did not sign any of them back then, opting to stick with Nugent. Cincinnati lost in Pittsburgh 24-16 in Week 2. The Bengals didn’t stop the run very well as backup Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams rushed for 94 yards in Bell’s place. Bell was suspended. Roethlisberger shook off a pair of first-half interceptions to finish with 259 yards and three scores.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati Free Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers

Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings. Steelers are 16-4- 2 ATS in their last 22 meetings in Cincinnati. Go Pittsburgh and under in NFL betting.