Bengals vs. Steelers prediction: NFL Week 18 odds, picks, best bets
Post sports gambling editor/producer and digital sports editor Matt Ehalt is in his first season in the NFL Bettor’s Guide.The Bengals have something to play for Saturday night, and we’ll see whether the Steelers care about being the No.5 or No.
6 seed should Baltimore rout the Browns in the earlier game as expected.Cincinnati needs some help but can still clinch a playoff spot, while Pittsburgh can secure the No.
5 seed with a win and face the Texans or drop to No.6 — and face the Ravens — with a loss and a Chargers win.Either way, figure Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will provide massive problems for a Steelers team that has been throttled by playoff contenders in three straight games.
The Steelers have been beaten by a combined score of 90-40 by the Eagles, Ravens and Chiefs in successive weeks to lose control of the AFC North.Playing your worst brand of ball is a bad setup with the red-hot Bengals offense coming to town.Burrow has said he will do what he can to make sure Chase wins the receiving triple crown, and we believe him.Chase leads all receivers in catches by eight, yards by 133 and touchdowns by four, placing him in a comfortable spot to top the league in all three categories.While Russell Wilson torched this Bengals defense for 414 passing yards in the first matchup, a 44-38 road win in Week 14, he’s been awful since then.Pittsburgh did not look competitive against the Chiefs at home on Christmas and the offense has not topped 20 points in three straight games.Teams usually have to outscore the Bengals, not win defensive-minded games.Bet on the Bengals to finish 9-8 and at least give Sunday’s Chiefs and Dolphins games some meaning in a Week 18 devoid of drama.Last week: 1-1.
Colts (L), Raiders (W) Season: 13-20-1 (entering Saturday)Matt Ehalt has been picking against the spread since his childhood days when he entered his father’s newspaper pool and even took the top prize on more than one occasion.He specializes in NF...