NFL Football
2025-01-04 - Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NFL Week 18
Saturday 4th January 2025 - Scheduled 8pm
1am (British Time)
Preview
Two AFC North rivals have plenty to play for this weekend and that is even if the Baltimore Ravens have won the Division before kickoff.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) can only win the Division if the Ravens are upset by the Cleveland Browns in the early Saturday kickoff, although that is very unlikely considering the huge favourite the Ravens are.
Of course that will mean there are question marks about whether the Steelers would play their starters with a Playoff spot already secured if they have nothing more than Seeding to play for. At the moment the Steelers are in control of the Number 5 Seed which would mean a road game at the Houston Texans rather than falling into Number 6 and having to face the Baltimore Ravens again.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin has indicated that he would not consider resting starters even if the Steelers are unable to win the Division, although that mindset could potentially change. The Steelers have lost three in a row to lose control of the AFC North and there is a feeling that they would love to have more positive momentum before playing their first Playoff Game next week.
Russell Wilson has enjoyed a good season at Quarter Back and he racked up 414 passing yards in the win over the Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) on the road. However, that was the Bengals at the end of a three game losing run and they have just given themselves hope of reaching the post-season having won four in a row since then.
The Steelers should be able to have a positive day Offensively if the starters are in the game with the Offensive Line expected to establish the run, which makes things that much more comfortable for Russell Wilson at Quarter Back. Pittsburgh look healthier and Wilson will feel he can exploit the issues the Bengals have had in the Secondary all season, even if the Offensive Line have just suffered in pass protection.
Interceptions have helped power the Cincinnati run of wins and they will be hoping they can step in front of some of the passes in this one as the Bengals look to finish with a winning record and then scoreboard watch on Sunday.
Joe Burrow and the Offensive unit deserve a lot of credit for keeping Cincinnati alive too having beaten the Denver Broncos to make this a meaningful game for themselves in Week 18.
The Quarter Back is clearly a very good player, but it does help that the Bengals have two top Receiving options and Burrow has made it clear that he hopes that both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are still playing here in September 2025. And Cincinnati's Offensive Line have just found some spaces for Chase Brown to exploit on the ground during this winning run, although Brown is not expected to suit up this week.
Pass protection has been a problem for Cincinnati, but Joe Burrow has taken the hits and still gotten up and attacked teams effectively down the field. You have to believe that Joe Burrow is hugely encouraged by the successes teams have had throwing against the Steelers Secondary during their losing run and the belief is that the Cincinnati Bengals can do enough to keep Playoff hopes alive through another day.
The uncertainty of the approach that Pittsburgh will take is a concern, but you have to believe that Mike Tomlin will have his starters out on the field to build rhythm for at least half of this game, even if Baltimore have won.
It could see the Steelers score enough points to at least help combine with the Cincinnati Bengals to cover this total line set, especially if the game is anything like their first meeting. With plenty of throwing likely to be used, especially by the Bengals, this could stretch out the game and both Offensive units may show off their playmakers in a high scoring Week 18 outing.
Prediction
The motivational edge might be with the road team and that can see them avoid the sweep to this AFC North rival and at least keep Playoff hopes alive for one more day.
The Pick :
Pittsburgh Steelers 20-27 Cincinnati Bengals
