Closing out Week 15, a Monday night matinee sees a battle in the AFC North as the Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2) travel to Cincinnati to battle the Bengals (2-10-1).
Looking to get back in the win column after two straight losses, the Steelers fell victim to the Bills on Sunday Night Football just over one week ago. Meanwhile, trying to play spoiler to the Steelers’ playoff hopes in what quickly became another lost season, the Bengals are currently on a five-game losing streak following the loss of No. 1 pick Joe Burrow to a torn ACL.
Here’s what to look for in this one in the 103rd matchup between these two bitter rivals.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quickly scrambling for a victory to maintain the No. 2 seed in the loaded playoff race in the AFC, the Steelers have struggled mightily on the offensive side of the ball over the last three weeks. Failing to reach the 20-point mark in any of the three contests, Mike Tomlin’s group has also turned the ball over five times during that period. Needing to get their passing game back on track after a miserable month through the air, Pittsburgh will need more contributions from its young receiving core. Leading the league in drops with 33 through 14 weeks of the season, the Steelers’ pass-catching group dropped an astounding eight balls a week ago after being called out by head coach Mike Tomlin earlier in the week.
Provided the perfect opportunity to get back on track through the air, the Bengals’ defense has been miserable at slowing down opposing passing games this season. Giving up over seven yards per attempt in 13 games, Zac Taylor’s team has also allowed opposing signal-callers to throw for over 250 yards per game, ranking them 23rd in the NFL. Looking to be shorthanded on offense on Monday night, Pittsburgh has already ruled out guard Kevin Dotson with a shoulder injury while starting running back James Conner remains questionable with a quadriceps injury. The Steelers have struggled to run the ball in Conner’s absence, tallying less than 50 yards on the ground in five of their last seven games. The team has also averaged under three yards per carry over that period.
Cincinnati Bengals
Looking to snap their five-game losing skid and build momentum as the regular season nears an end, the Bengals will turn to second-year quarterback Ryan Finley after Brandon Allen was ruled out with an injury. Familiar with the team’s offense, Finley started three games for the team in 2019, completing just half of his throws while averaging a measly 5.4 yards per attempt. Cincinnati and its third quarterback of the season will be in for a tough bout against a stellar Steelers defense. Leading the league in points against over their 2020 campaign, Keith Butler‘s group has also allowed just 202.2 passing yards per game, the second-lowest mark in the league.
The Bengals are shorthanded on the defensive side of the ball heading into this one with linebacker Logan Wilson and defensive end Freedom Akinmoladun already ruled out. Safety Brandon Wilson is expected to be a game-time decision with a hamstring injury, too. Needing to keep the Steelers’ offense off the field and control the time of possession if they hope to pull off the upset, the Bengals will need a strong performance from their rushing attack. Hindered by the loss of Joe Mixon to a potentially-season-ending foot injury, the Bengals have averaged just 84.1 rushing yards per game with under 50 yards in two of their last three contests. In tough once again, the Steelers’ defense has allowed just 100.9 rushing yards per game this season, the sixth-lowest mark in the league.
Game Info
Date: Monday, Dec. 21, 2020
Start Time: 8:15 p.m. EST
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Stadium: Paul Brown Stadium
TV Info: ESPN
Betting Odds Sponsored by Jazz Sportsbook
Points Spread: PIT -14 (-110) | CIN +14 (-110)
Moneyline: PIT -1130 | CIN +680
Over/Under: O 40 (-110) | U 40 (-110)
Taking a look at the -14 point spread, take the Steelers to cover and win the game in blowout fashion. Rolling heading into Week 13, Pittsburgh held the top spot in the AFC before crumbling to Washington and struggling against Buffalo last Sunday. Desperate for a win, Mike Tomlin’s team should come out all business against a Bengals team that is severely undermanned on the offensive side of the ball to provide any resistance to Ben Roethlisberger and co.
The lowest point total of the Week 15 slate of games at 40, bet the under here. Unable to score since the loss of Burrow and Mixon, the Bengals rank 29th in the league in yards per game. In addition to this, the Steelers’ passing attack has sleepwalked through back-to-back weeks with the team receiving zero contributions from the run game.
Prediction
Losers of five straight games, the Bengals’ season was quickly over following the loss of their first-round draft pick. With the Steelers desperate for a win following two straight losses, look for them to be all business on Monday night as they hold onto the No. 2 seed in the AFC. They should get it rolling and win by multiple scores.
*Final Score: Steelers 28, Bengals 10*
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