By: Michael Stiffler, @Stiffeezy_ on Twitter
SteelerNation.com
The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to skid as they are riding a 2-game losing streak as the head into Monday night. This week the Steelers have the ability to clinch an AFC North title with a win against the Cincinnati Bengals. If you followed my picks from Week 14, you would have gone 2-1 last week (25-13-1 YTD). As always, lines are brought to you via FanDuel Sportsbook. *Lines may change when and wherever you do your betting.
Let’s get started!
Spread: Pittsburgh -14.5 (Opened at Pittsburgh -12)
These two teams have not been successful against the spread the past three weeks. The Steelers are 0-3, while the Bengals are 1-2 only covering versus the New York Giants. With that being said I expect the Steelers to cover huge and here is why. The Steelers haven't had a normal practice schedule since Week 11. That game resulted in a 27-3 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Even offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner acknowledged the odd practice schedule has not allowed them to practice and focus on the details as needed. Since the Steelers are finally able to have a typical practice week, I expect Fichtner and company will open up the playbook quite a bit this week versus a lesser opponent like the Bengals. On the flip side of things, the Bengals will be starting their third different quarterback of the season in Ryan Finley. Finley enters the matchup 0-3 in his career as a starter, boasting a 48.1 completion percentage and tonight he will face a Steelers secondary who lead the league in interceptions (17). The Bengals running game isn't much better, as they are the third worst in the NFL only ahead of the Houston Texans and the Steelers. With the lack of fire power offensively, I don't see how the Bengals score much tonight let alone keep it close.
Stiffler’s Pick: Pittsburgh -14.5 (Confident)
Total: Over/Under 40.5 (Opened at 41.5)
The Bengals offense has been abysmal since Joe Burrow went down with a knee injury. They have averaged 220 yards per game and 10.3 points per game. Pair that with a Steelers defense who is averaging a league best 18.2 points per game and that sounds like a recipe for a shutout. Let's not forget the Bengals will still be without their main offensive weapon Joe Mixon. On the flip side of things the Steelers offense has struggled big time. They have been slow starters in the past few weeks and their offense has been very vanilla, relying heavily on the short passing game. Even if they figure out the offense and start to open up the playbook more, I do not see a likely outcome where the Bengals can put up double digits and the Steelers put up 30+ points.
Stiffler’s Pick: Under 40.5 (Confident)
1st Half Spread: Pittsburgh -7.5
Like I always say I tend to lean towards the better coach and Zac Taylor simply has not shown much to think otherwise. Mike Tomlin on the other hand has been very emphatic his last few press conferences going as far as questioning the Steelers physicality. The Steelers need to prove a lot tonight not only to their fans but to themselves. I think with the AFC North title on the line lights a fire under this team and helps them start fast and efficient.
Stiffler’s Pick: Pittsburgh -7.5 (Confident)
Feel free to follow, fade, or criticize all picks. I wish you good fortune on your bets to come.
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