- The Steelers are a 2.5-point home underdog against the Bengals.
- The Steelers have won nine of their last 10 games as home underdogs following a loss.
- My Steelers vs. Bengals prediction is to use Pittsburgh in a six-point teaser.
Needing a win and help to make the playoffs, the Bengals travel to Pittsburgh for a Week 18 meeting with the Steelers.
Cincinnati retained hope for the playoffs with a 30-24 overtime win over the Bengals in Week 17. Now, they need a win and losses by Denver and Miami to clinch the seventh seed in the AFC.
Pittsburgh’s woes continued last week with a 29-10 home loss against Kansas City, their third straight defeat. Now, they need a win and Baltimore loss to win the AFC North.
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NFL Week 18 Odds: Steelers vs. Bengals
Steelers vs. Bengals Prediction
Based on Mike Tomlin’s record as a home divisional underdog and their strength against bad defenses, my Steelers vs. Bengals prediction is to Tease Pittsburgh (+8.5).
Most, if not all, bettors will likely back the Bengals in a desperation spot. After all, the Steelers need a loss by a Ravens team favored by 17.5 points to win the division.
But if there’s any coach bettors should trust to get his team up for this spot, it’s Tomlin.
The Steelers head coach boasts a 65% ATS record as an underdog in his career. At home, Tomlin produced a 20-7-3 ATS record with a 26-4 record against a six-point teaser.
As home divisional dogs, the Steelers recorded a 9-1-2 ATS record under Tomlin. In those 12 games, Tomlin has never failed to cover a six-point teaser.
Although the Steelers have lost three in a row, the losses have come against three Super Bowl odds contenders.
It’s also a nice buy-low spot on the Steelers offense. Dating back to their loss in Baltimore, they’ve played three teams 12th or better in defensive DVOA, per ftnfantasy.com.
Now, Pittsburgh gets a Bengals defense 29th in that category. Even if you believe the Bengals win this game, it’s worth noting they’ve won by nine or more only four times.
Those successes? At Tennessee, Carolina and Cleveland and at home against Las Vegas.
Are the Steelers regarded in the same category as those teams? Absolutely not.
Pair that with the fact the Steelers own a rest advantage over the Bengals and they’re a strong teaser leg in Week 18.
For a teaser partner, take the Vikings up from +3 to +9 against the Lions.
Betting Steelers vs. Bengals: NFL Public Betting
Check back on Friday for Steelers vs. Bengals public betting data and insights.
