The goal of every team in the NFL is to have a playoff spot clinched before heading into the final week of the regular season. Given the parity in this league, though, there are always spots available at this time of year. In those cases, the hope is then that you are in control of your own destiny, as there are few things more stressful than having to rely on other teams to clear a playoff path. It is that latter scenario where the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves as they head into Week 17.
The Steelers will be hosting the Cincinnati Bengals, knowing that a win is not enough to get them in, as they also need the Cleveland Browns to find a way to take down the Baltimore Ravens. The good news for Pittsburgh is that they will be going against a Bengals team on the slide due to injuries, and that the Browns are no longer the pushover that they have been for the past decade or so. The Steelers are a 14 ½ point favorite for this one, with the point total set at 45 ½.
Bengals vs Steelers NFL Week 17 Betting Odds & Game Preview
- When: Sunday, December 30 at 4:25 PM EST
- Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
- TV: CBS
- NFL Week 17 Odds: Steelers -14.5 (-110)
Weather Forecast
- Clear: 4°C/40°F
- Humidity: 66%
- Precipitation: 1%
- Wind: 5 mph SSW
- Cloud Cover: 27%
- Type of Stadium: Open
Why bet on the Cincinnati Bengals?
The Bengals are essentially limping to the finish line this season, as they will once again be playing without their starting QB and their top wide receiver. This was a year that started with a lot of promise for the Bengals, but as those injuries started piling up, so do did the losses. They now have just 2 wins in their last 10 games, with both of those wins coming against teams with a sub .500 record.
If there is a positive note for bettors, it is that the Bengals have been a good ATS bet of late, covering the spread in each of their last 3 games. Overall this season, they are 4-5 ATS as the underdog, although that improves to 4-2 ATS in road games as the dog. As far as the point total goes, the Bengals are 4-2-1 O/U as the road team this season.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 23.67
- Total Yards: 318.27
- Pass Yards: 214.47
- Rush Yards: 103.80
- Average Score Against: 29.27
- Total Yards: 418.34
- Pass Yards: 275.87
- Rush Yards: 142.47
Why bet on the Pittsburgh Steelers?
If the Steelers do fail to make the playoffs, they will have no-one to blame but themselves. Things have gone of the rails for Pittsburgh in the last few weeks, losing games late that they looked to be in control of. They were a little unfortunate to lose to the Saints on the road last weekend, as a couple of bad penalty calls, as well as turnovers at critical times in the game, led to them falling just short against the best team in the league.
Like the Bengals, the Steelers have been a good ATS pick of late, covering in 7 of their last 10 games, although they are just 3-3 ATS as a home favorite this season. Look for them to close out the season with a strong performance, which they need to stay alive.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 27.47
- Total Yards: 407.33
- Pass Yards: 315.33
- Rush Yards: 92
- Average Score Against: 23.13
- Total Yards: 336.13
- Pass Yards: 241.93
- Rush Yards: 94.20
Bengals vs Steelers NFL Week 17 Betting Trends
- Cincinnati is 4-2 ATS in the last 6 games
- Cincinnati is 1-6 SU in the last 7 games
- The total went UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati’s last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh is 2-3-1 ATS in the last 6 games
- Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in the last 5 games
- The total went UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 6 games
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction for Bengals vs Steelers
The Steelers are probably going to have one eye on the proceedings of the Browns/ Ravens game, but it’s important that they take care of their own business first, which they will almost certainly do.
Score: Cincinnati Bengals 13 Pittsburgh Steelers 33
