NFL Picks: Week 12 Steelers vs Bengals

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to challenge the Cincinnati Bengals in a riveting AFC North matchup at Paycor Stadium, with kickoff on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET. The Steelers, holding a 6-4 record both straight up and against the spread, are coming off a tight 13-10 loss to Cleveland. Meanwhile, the Bengals, at 5-5 straight up, aim to bounce back from a 34-20 defeat against Baltimore, which also saw them lose quarterback Joe Burrow to injury.

BUSR NFL Lines

Spread: Steelers -1.5 (-110), Bengals +1.5 (-110) 

Moneyline: Steelers -125, Bengals +105 

Total: O 35.5 (-111) U 35.5 (-109) 

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh, with a record of 6-4 both straight up and against the spread, is looking to rebound from a narrow defeat to the Cleveland Browns. Their offensive woes were highlighted last week when they managed only 106 passing yards, leading to the ousting of offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Kenny Pickett’s performance, averaging a mere 2.5 yards per completion, will need a significant boost for Pittsburgh to capitalize on their solid rushing game, which showed promise with 172 yards last game. The Steelers’ offense, ranking 28th in total yards with 280.1 and struggling with a 34.5 percent third-down conversion rate, will have to find new strategies to improve their scoring.

Defensively, the Steelers have been sturdy, allowing only 19.5 points per game and standing 7th in the league in points allowed. With 28 sacks and 11 interceptions to their credit, they’ll look to maintain that strength against a Bengals offense adjusting to a new quarterback.

Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati is entering the matchup with a 5-5 record, facing the challenge of rallying after a tough loss to the Baltimore Ravens and the loss of starting quarterback Joe Burrow. Jake Browning is stepping in, and while he managed to lead the team to a touchdown and field goal last week, his overall drive success rate was low. The Bengals’ offense, scoring an average of 20.2 points per game and standing 21st in the league, will need to adjust quickly to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The Bengals’ defense, while accumulating 26 sacks and 12 interceptions this season, has been less effective in stopping the run, ranking 31st in the league. They will need to bolster their efforts to contain a Steelers team that may lean more on their rushing attack following their recent change in offensive leadership.

Prediction

The upcoming game is poised to be a defining moment for both teams. The Steelers, with a refreshed offensive approach post-Canada, are expected to better utilize their talent in the backfield, with Jaylen Warren coming off a stellar performance against the Browns. The Bengals, despite their defensive efforts, could struggle to contain Pittsburgh’s rejuvenated offense, particularly if Stevenson finds gaps in Cincinnati’s 28th-ranked rush defense.

Bettors should consider the Steelers’ potential for a strong defensive showing and improved offense when making their picks on BUSR’s NFL Odds. With the Bengals adjusting to a new quarterback and facing defensive shortcomings, Pittsburgh has an opportunity to secure a pivotal win on the road. The clash promises to be a testament to resilience and adaptation as these AFC North rivals vie for a crucial victory in Week 12.