Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh (+2.5 48.5)
NFL ODDS, NFL PREDICTIONS, NFL PREVIEWS
Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh | Saturday, January 4, 2025
This is going to have the feel of a playoff game in its own right, with the Cincinnati Bengals trying to complete a near impossible mission they set out on multiple weeks back. The Pittsburgh Steelers have their own motivations for winning this game, praying for a miracle upset from Cleveland over the Baltimore Ravens, which would mean the Steelers have a shot at winning the division.
Both of these teams need the influence of other teams in order to get what they want. The Cincinnati Bengals postseason hopes lie in the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs, who are fielding backups including Carson Wentz in their regular season finale against the Denver Broncos.
Denver needs to win to make the playoffs. If they win they’re in, securing the final wildcard spot that the Bengals are so desperately fighting for. So, if the Chiefs let off the gas and the Broncos walk to a victory, the Bengals season is over whether they beat the Steelers or not.
For Pittsburgh, a win over Cincinnati gives them a chance at a higher seed in the AFC playoff picture. They need to win to remain the 5th seed anyway, with the Chargers also sitting at 10-6 going into the final weekend. But if somehow the Ravens lose, and the Steelers win, they would claim the three seed and jump into a guaranteed home field game in the wildcard round.
Earlier this season the Bengals and Steelers clashed in a high scoring thriller, with both quarterbacks combining for over 700 passing yards, while throwing three touchdowns each.
It was Russell Wilson’s best game in a Steelers uniform, with 414 passing yards, three touchdowns and one pick, while throwing all over the Bengals defense.
Joe Burrow did what he’s been doing all season, propping up a terrible defense with outstanding play at quarterback. He has had to lead continuous scoring drives all year under the pressure of the opponents points total. Cincinnati’s defense is allowing 29.1 points per game (29th in the NFL), while also ranking in the bottom third in third and fourth down conversions allowed, opposition touchdowns per game (3.2), and both rushing and passing yards allowed per game.
The Steelers have rallied this season and far exceeded expectations, but in the past three games they’ve fallen short. 13 points in the loss against the Eagles, 17 in the loss against the Ravens, and just 10 in the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. They’ve almost handed the division to Baltimore with their three game skid, and will want to find their mojo again in a hurry as the playoffs approach.
GET THE ENTIRE NFL SEASON JUST $100 🏈 NFL SERVICE STRAIGHT THROUGH PLAYOFFS AND SUPER BOWL 🏈 LIMITED TIME OFFER
Get free NFL Picks and NFL Predictions for the top games on the weekly 2024 NFL schedule from JA Cavalier, one of the industry's premier expert NFL handicappers. J.A. Cavalier has been bringing the NFL betting community the best NFL free picks and predictions for nearly three decades. Visit daily for the best NFL moneyline and run line odds and game totals.
J.A. Cavalier Free Pick
Bengals -2.5