- What: NFL Regular Season Game
- When: January 4, 2025
- Who: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Time: 5:00 p.m. PST
- Where: Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh, PA)
As the Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) prepare to clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) in a pivotal Week 18 matchup, the stakes couldn’t be higher for both teams.
The Bengals are fighting for their playoff lives, needing a win and some help from other games, while the Steelers are looking to secure their seeding in the postseason.
However, despite the Bengals’ desperate situation, I’m betting on the Steelers to win this one.
Cincinnati
While Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ offense have been impressive, they’ve shown a tendency to lose games they shouldn’t and keep teams in games they should blow out.
This season, the Bengals have struggled to win on the margins, which is exactly where the Steelers excel. Pittsburgh is built to grind out wins, and they thrive in close contests, often capitalizing on their opponents’ mistakes.
These are the days you live for…#CINvsPIT x #RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/oRrpoGBZg6
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 4, 2025
Despite Joe Burrow putting up MVP numbers and Ja’Marr Chase having an incredible season, the Bengals defense has been their achilles heel this season.
If it’s Russell Wilson or Justin Fields at QB for the Steelers, the Bengals will have their hands full trying to contain that Steelers rushing attach.
Pittsburgh
Let’s talk about the extra rest the Steelers have had after their Christmas game. While the Bengals are coming off a grueling overtime win against the Broncos, the Steelers have had a full week to regroup and strategize.
This extra time can’t be underestimated, especially in the high-stakes environment of the NFL where fatigue can be a game-changer.
Now, let’s not forget that this game is being played at Acrisure Stadium, where the Steelers have a solid home-field advantage. The energy of the home crowd can be electrifying, and it’s a factor that often tips the scales in close matchups.
GAMEDAY IN THE BURGH‼️#HereWeGo | @OurFordStore pic.twitter.com/GiIdNVsAoU
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 4, 2025
Plus, Mike Tomlin has a history of success against the Bengals, winning 15 of the last 19 meetings.
That’s a trend that’s hard to ignore, especially when you consider how much Tomlin thrives in these underdog situations.
Speaking of Tomlin, he’s coming off a loss and is an underdog at home. This is a classic Tomlin spot where he tends to rally his troops and get them fired up.
The Steelers don’t want to head into the playoffs on a four-game losing streak; that’s a recipe for disaster. Tomlin’s teams are known for their resilience, and I expect nothing less this Saturday.
Bengals-Steelers Best Bet
The betting odds also favor the Steelers, with the moneyline sitting at +125 on BetMGM. This presents a solid opportunity for bettors looking to capitalize on the Steelers’ potential upset.
Given the circumstances, it’s a value play that aligns with the data and trends we’ve seen this season.
The combination of extra rest, home-field advantage, Tomlin’s historical success against the Bengals, and the Steelers’ ability to win tight games makes Pittsburgh the smart pick in this matchup.
The Bengals may be fighting for their playoff lives, but the Steelers are ready to play spoiler and secure a much-needed victory. Don’t sleep on Pittsburgh; they’re primed to take this one.
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Tony Reyes is a sports betting analyst and reporter for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X @TonyParlay.
