Steelers vs. Bengals: NFL Week 12 betting odds, preview, and pick

AFC North rivals will square off at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday afternoon as the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Cincinnati Bengals. Both teams are very much alive for the division crown, so this should be an intense battle.

Let’s dive into the facts and figures as we make our wagering preview and prediction for this contest.

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (6-4), 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS

When the Steelers have the ball

Running back Najee Harris was not only a smart draft choice, but a godsend for a stunted Steelers offense. He received over 20 carries in five straight games prior to last Sunday, when Pittsburgh exploded in the fourth quarter to make a game of it in a 41-37 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Bengals have defended the run well in 2021, ranking sixth in opponent rushing yards per game (98.0). But studs like Aaron Jones (103 yards) and Nick Chubb (137 yards) have had their way against the Cincinnati run stoppers this year.

Harris rushed for just 40 yards when he encountered the Bengals in Week 3 (a 24-10 loss), but Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger did not lose sight of Harris’ playmaking abilities in the passing game, finding him for 14 grabs and 102 yards.

When the Bengals have the ball

Running back Joe Mixon – fourth in the NFL in rushing attempts (180), rushing yards (759), and rushing touchdowns (nine) – should be a focal point of the Bengals’ offense once again.

He had arguably his best performance of the season against the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday, toting the rock 30 times for 123 yards and two scores. Mixon ran the ball 18 times for 90 yards against the porous Pittsburgh run defense (27th by yards allowed per game) in Week 3.

Mixon’s ability should open the door for Joe Burrow – who’s already fifth in the NFL in completion percentage (68.3%) this year – to have success when he needs to go through the air.

Steelers vs. Bengals injury report

Steelers and Bengals betting trends

• The Steelers are 21-9-1 ATS in their last 31 games against the Bengals
• The Under is 5-1-1 in the last 7 meetings between the Steelers and Bengals
• The Under is 42-14-1 in the Steelers’ last 57 road games
• The Under is 21-8-1 in the Bengals’ last 30 games following a win of more than 14 points

The verdict

Though the Steelers historically dominate the Bengals, this Cincinnati team will not allow Pittsburgh to use it like a punching bag. The Bengals beat the Steelers handily in Week 3, and while this game might be closer the second time around, bettors should still expect points to be precious.

Score prediction: Bengals 20, Steelers 17

NFL pick: Under 45 points

Steelers vs. Bengals pick powered by The Quant Edge

Our predictive engine is calling for the Steelers to cover the spread against the Bengals this week.