Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday, 12/4/11, 1:00 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Pittsburgh -7
Current Betting Line: Pittsburgh -6.5
Opening Total: 42
Current Total: 42.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Cincinnati snapped a two-game losing streak by registering a 23-20 win over the Cleveland Browns as 6.5-point home favorites and will now seek revenge from a 24-17 home loss in the first series meeting against the Pittsburgh Steelers. “The Steelers are one up on us,” stated Bengals coach Marvin Lewis. “If we want to have the opportunity to win the AFC North, we can’t afford to fall another game behind at this point.” Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton has demonstrated the ability to come back in the fourth quarter, tallying five of the team’s seven wins in the final frame. Cincinnati is 4-2 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 7 points the past two-plus years.
The Bengals will look to perform better offensively in this week’s rematch, being held to just 279 total yards, as running back Cedric Benson was held to just 57 yards on 15 carries. Cincinnati will be seeking to snap its three-game losing streak in the series, while trying to improve its 4-6 mark when playing inside Heinz Field. Defensively, the unit ranks fifth in the league in allowing just 307.7 yards per game.
Pittsburgh returns home after sweeping a two-game road trip against the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs, led by a defense that ranks second in the league in allowing just 277.5 yards per game. The stop unit definitely bailed out the team against the Chiefs, forcing a season-high four turnovers. “You’re happy to get the win, but also disappointed with how the offense played,” stated Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He will be looking to orchestrate a seventh series sweep since the 2000 campaign against the Bengals. Pittsburgh is 8-5 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points the last two-plus years.
The Steelers are scoring just 21.2 points per game, but their defense is giving up just 17.1. Pittsburgh is tied atop the AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens, as the two teams play in the only division to have at least three teams with seven victories. The division members have given up the fewest points allowed as a division, with all four teams ranking in the top 10 in the NFL in total defense. Much of the team’s success defensively has been in its secondary play, holding six teams under 175 net passing yards.
Bettors will likely back the Steelers due to their 5-1 ATS mark as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points, while the Bengals are 2-8 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
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