The AFC North clash got a little more exciting with the expected return of Ben Roethlisberger to the Steelers lineup. Pittsburgh should get a boost with their starting quarterback under center and could mount a challenge to the undefeated Bengals. The Bengals had an off week to get healthy and look to continue the momentum of the best start in franchise history.
ODDS
Cincinnati opened as a 3-point favorite with the total at 48.5. News from Steelers camp that Roethlisberger will play had backers favoring Pittsburgh, forcing the line to -1.5. The total held firm at 48.5.
KEY INJURIES
Vincent Rey – Was back at practice in a limited capacity following the bye week. The Bengals starting linebacker was carted off the field with an ankle injury during the Oct. 18 game at Buffalo and is listed as questionable for Sunday.
William Gay – Is battling a shoulder issue and is questionable to play on Sunday. Brandon Boykin could get the call to start at the slot corner against Cincinnati. Boykin has been used sparingly since the Steelers acquired him during training camp.
KEY MISMATCH
Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert might be Andy Dalton’s favorite target right now. He’s on pace for 75 catches, 900 yards and 16 touchdowns. And he’ll be bursting through the middle of the Pittsburgh defense, daring the Steelers to cover him. The Steelers have improved under coordinator Keith Butler, creating more turnovers and applying more pressure on quarterbacks. But since the preseason, there have been coverage issues involving tight ends. Kansas City’s Travis Kelce was the latest to produce against the Steelers with five catches for 73 yards last week, joining Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Gates, who combined for five touchdowns in games against Pittsburgh. The Steelers could start by jamming Eifert, who isn’t as heavy as Gronk or Gates, at the line of scrimmage. But their strategy of being more physical hasn’t worked yet this season.
KEY STAT
30.3 – Cincinnati’s points per game. The Bengals are third in the NFL and have scored at least 24 points in every game. The Steelers rank seventh in the league in points per game allowed at 18.7.
BETTING ANGLE
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed earlier in the week that Roethlisberger is preparing to play against the Bengals after missing four games with a sprained knee and bruised leg. Pittsburgh went 2-2 without Big Ben. Michael Vick started three games and third-stringer Landry Jones played in last week’s loss in Kansas City. The Steelers are 4-3 overall and 2.5 games behind the Bengals for the top spot in the AFC North. It shouldn’t be assumed that Roethlisberger will be able to step in and immediately perform like the elite level quarterback who ranked at the top or among the league leaders in several key statistical categories prior to his injury. Roethlisberger appeared in all 16 games the previous two seasons and has never missed more than four in a single year, so there may be a rust factor involved. But the Steelers are just happy to see their franchise quarterback return, particularly in a key division game.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The bye week has come and gone. Now the Bengals look to resume the momentum they established through the first six weeks. And those weeks were kind to the Bengals, posting a perfect 6-0 record. There was a trio of wins on the road, like the one before an always hostile Bills crowd. Also a blowout win in Oakland, and a key early-season division win inside a building where they once struggled. That come-from-behind win at Baltimore put to rest any concerns there might have been about the team’s offense. Quarterback Andy Dalton is taking care of that with an MVP-type season through six games. His completion percentage, yards, yards per attempt and passer rating are at their highest points through this many games. His two interceptions are the fewest he’s thrown across a similar span. Pittsburgh will be revitalized with Roethlisberger back. Antonio Brown’s effectiveness has been minimized and Big Ben hasn’t played a game since Martavis Bryant returned, so the offense will be better. But Roethlisberger hasn’t played in over a month and that will hurt Pittsburgh.
Cincinnati 34, Pittsburgh 27
BookMaker sent out the NFL lines for this Sunday game at Cincinnati -3 with a total of 48.5. Gamble on the game between every commercial break with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen on the next play or how many points will be scored in the next quarter. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
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