One zero-game losing streak will most likely come to an end as the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Cincinnati Bengals. ESPN will broadcast the action and the Monday Night showdown gets underway at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Thursday Night FootballBetting Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
In this Monday AFC game, Pittsburgh is projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 4 points. The Bengals are also receiving +150 moneyline odds while the Steelers are -170. It appears that there might be some good live betting opportunities during the matchup, and Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 43.5 points.
This game’s line opened at -5. The total hasn’t changed after it was initially set at 43.5.
The Bengals have lost 3.0 units this season and are 2-1 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U record of 1-2.
The Steelers have lost 3.7 units in 2019. The team is 1-2 ATS and also has an O/U record of 1-2.
The Bengals have gone 0-3 straight up (SU) and the team has yet to face any AFC North opponents this year. The Steelers are 0-3 SU overall and also 0-0 SU against divisional foes.
The Bengals lost to Buffalo 21-17 in a Week 3 contest where the passing attack the primary culprit as Andy Dalton completed only 20 passes on 36 attempts for 249 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Joe Mixon (61 rushing yards on 15 attempts) provided the ground attack in the loss while Tyler Boyd (six receptions, 67 yards) and Auden Tate (six catches, 88 yards) handled the receiving duties.
Back in Week 3, San Francisco got the win against this Pittsburgh team by a score of 24-20. The Steelers defensive unit allowed the 49ers to run for 168 yards on 40 rush attempts, including two rush TDs. Matt Breida had a productive outing in the win for San Francisco, recording 68 rushing yards on 14 attempts. For Pittsburgh, Mason Rudolph completed 14-of-27 passes for 174 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. James Conner (43 rushing yards on 13 attempts) mounted the ground attack in the defeat while Conner (four receptions, 14 yards) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (three catches, 81 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching corps.
Cincinnati has run the ball on 28.7 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Pittsburgh has a rush percentage of 32.1 percent. The Bengals have run for 42 yards per game and have only one touchdown via handoffs this year. The Steelers are totaling 64 rushing yards per game and have only one rush TD.
If the results so far this season are any indication, then it seems like the Steelers may have the more disruptive lines up front. Their offensive line has yielded just four sacks while the D-line has logged six sacks. The Bengals offensive line has allowed 11 sacks and their defense has recorded only five sacks.
The Bengals offensive scheme has averaged 326 yards through the air overall and has five passing score so far. The Steelers have put up 212.3 pass yards per contest and have four total pass TD.
Cincinnati should have an advantage when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to run for an average of 168.7 yards and pass for 250 yards per game. The Pittsburgh defense has allowed 316.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 139.3 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Bengals have given up an ANY/A of 8.54 to opposing QBs, while the Steelers are yielding an ANY/A of 8.71.
Offensively, Dalton has amassed 667 passing yards this season. He’s completed 55-of-87 attempts with three passing scores and two interceptions. He’s got a 6.43 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 5.42 over the last two games.
Mason Rudolph has completed 14-of-27 passes for 174 yards, two TDs and one INT for Pittsburgh. His ANY/A sits at 5.34 for the season and 5.46 over his past two games.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Free NFL Tip
SU Winner: Bengals, ATS Winner: Bengals, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- The Pittsburgh offense has lost one fumble this season while Cincinnati has let five get away.
- The Pittsburgh defense has tallied six sacks on the year while Cincinnati has five.
- As a team, Cincinnati has averaged 2.4 yards per carry over its last two outings.
- Pittsburgh has averaged 4.2 yards per carry over its last two.
- Over its last three contests, Pittsburgh is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Cincinnati’s last game was set at 43.5. The under cashed in the team’s 21-17 loss to Buffalo.
- In its last three matchups, Cincinnati is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Pittsburgh’s last match was set at 44.5. The under cashed in the 24-20 loss to San Francisco.
