Steelers vs Bengals Free Pick, NFL Free Picks, NFL Predictions 12/1/24
- J.A. Cavalier
- Nov 30, 2024
- 3 min read
Steelers vs Bengals (CIN -2.5, 47.5)
NFL ODDS, NFL PREDICTIONS, NFL PREVIEWS
Pittsburgh vs. Cincinnati | Sunday, December 1, 2024
The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves right back in the throes of the AFC North as they take on a high-octane Cincinnati Bengals offense that is looking to keep their hopes of a Wildcard spot alive.
The Steelers are coming off a typical, ugly AFC North bloodbath against the Cleveland Browns that produced as much outstanding snowy photography as it did entertainment. They lost 24-19, which was Russell Wilson’s first loss as a starting quarterback for Mike Tomlin. He still managed to put up good individual numbers, with 270 passing yards and a touchdown, and Justin Fields even got involved with some cheeky quarterback-rushing packages, but these proved largely ineffective, with one being stuffed for a turnover on downs.
George Pickens hadn’t made the connection with Fields when he was the starter, but just one game with Russell Wilson saw him pop off for 111 yards and a score. Since then, his athleticism and contested catch ability have been fully unleashed, but a 48-yard outing against Cleveland was a big reason why the team suffered their shock defeat last week. He will look to get back on track here against a Bengals defense who have been very vulnerable in the secondary.
New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has transformed the scheme and effectiveness of Pittsburgh’s run game despite a sub-par offensive line. They rank eighth in rushing yards per game at 135.2. Najee Harris has, of course, been a big part of this, already posting 749 yards on the season and looking well on track to surpass the 1,000-yard mark again. He should fancy his chances against this soft Bengals D who are giving up 129.8 yards per game on the ground, 21st in the NFL.
On the Bengals' side, all their games look about the same: they are putting up some of the best offensive highlights each week, and somehow still finding ways to lose. Is it a Zac Taylor thing? Maybe. Joe Burrow is known for his slow starts, but a 1-4 start this year was simply unacceptable, putting this team on the back foot early and wasting another great season from one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
Cincinnati averages 27 points per game, the fourth most in football, but allows 26.9 points per game, the fifth most in football. Their defense has never been an issue of this magnitude, usually finishing middle-of-the-pack under the eye of play-caller Lou Anarumo. But the downturn this year has been too much to overcome for the Bengals, who sit at 4-7, scoring 27 or more in four of their seven losses.
Individually, Burrow has been himself. He leads the NFL in touchdown passes at 27, third in yards at 3,028, and second in quarterback rating at 75.6. He has over 300 yards in four of the Bengal’s seven losses, proving to be the one consistent performer on the team. In a game they can’t afford to lose, the defense will need to capitalize on Wilson’s bad tape against the Browns to ensure another offensive masterclass doesn’t go to waste.
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J.A Cavalier Free PICK
Bengals -2.5