Pinnacle -2½ -103  BET365 -2½ -110 Sportsinteraction -2½  -110  888Sport  -2½  -110

Posted at 9:00 AM EST. Odds are subject to change.

Cincinnati -2½ over Pittsburgh

8:15 PM ET. The Bengals have been in desperation mode since the final whistle blew on their Week 1 home loss to the Patriots. At one point, Cincinnati was 4-8, but now at 8-8, its playoff hopes are still alive. They need a win here and help elsewhere to secure a wild-card spot. While that scenario isn’t likely, Cincinnati isn’t rolling over. This team has rattled off four straight wins, fueled by Joe Burrow’s MVP-caliber play where he has at least three touchdowns in eight consecutive games.

On the other side of the ball, Cincinnati’s defense has quietly improved. After a shaky start to the season, the Bengals now rank 17th in opponent EPA per play since Week 11, outperforming Pittsburgh in that span. While the Bengals’ defense isn’t elite, it’s good enough to contain a Steelers offense that relies on Najee Harris and a sputtering Russell Wilson to generate points.

Speaking of Wilson, his recent performances have been underwhelming. Pittsburgh’s quarterback hasn’t thrown for 200 yards in three straight games and is surrounded by an offense that ranks 23rd in Net Yards per Play on the season. This is a far cry from the explosive unit that put up 44 points against Cincinnati in Week 13.

Along with Wilson, the Steelers are limping into Week 18, losers of three straight and gasping for air after playing three brutal games in an 11-day span. Pittsburgh is playoff-bound, but unless Baltimore stumbles earlier in the day, their divisional hopes will evaporate before kickoff. Coach Mike Tomlin has already hinted at resting starters if that scenario plays out, further weakening an already vulnerable team.

The Steelers’ recent struggles aren’t just anecdotal; the stats paint an ugly picture. Over their last three games, Pittsburgh ranks dead last in Net Yards per Play (-1.3). This is a team running on fumes, especially on defense. Since Week 11, Pittsburgh’s defense ranks 21st in opponent EPA per play, a steep drop-off from their usual standards. Fatigue, injuries, and a brutal schedule have taken their toll.

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