PREMIUM
Rogers' ALL EARLY SWEEPER PASS
(NFL) Pittsburgh vs. Cincinnati,
Point Spread: -3.00 | -120.00 Pittsburgh (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: -3.00 | -120.00 Pittsburgh (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Pittsburgh Steelers lost four in a row (Weeks 6 through 10 ), head coach Mike Tomlin's job was in jeopardy and there was very serious talk about missing the playoffs. However, Pittsburgh responded with four straight wins and at 8-5, now lead the AFC North. The Steelers visit the 5-7-1 Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, who have posted back-to-back wins but it's a stretch to think that the Bengals will be playing past Week 17 this season.
Pittsburgh: The Steelers ran roughshod over the Buffalo Bills last week, winning 27-20 and taking control of their own destiny by moving into sole possession of first place in the AFC North. Pittsburgh's turnaround has been linked to the coaching staff's commitment to Le'Veon Bell and the running game taking pressure off QB Ben Roethlisberger. Bell set a franchise record with 236 rushing yards against the Bills and added an additional 62 receiving yards while scoring three TDs. Bell's topped 100 yards in all four wins, averaging 155.0 YPG plus has caught 22 balls for 203 more yards. Big Ben is still a noteworthy QB, checking in with 3,254 passing yards with 25 TDs, 11 INTs and a QB rating of 95.0. Pittsburgh's defense has also been a force during the four-game run, registering 18 sacks while allowing 50 points (12.5 per).
Cincinnati: Andy Dalton failed to complete 56 percent of his passes during a three-game skid but the Cincy QB has connected on 72.9% while tossing four TDs and zero INTs in back-to-back wins over Philadelphia and Cleveland. RB Jeremy Hill went over 100 yards for only the second time this season in last week's win over Cleveland. The Cincinnati defense has done its part in Cincy's last gasp hopes of trying to earn a playoff berth, holding its last four opponents to 12.5 PPG.
The pick: The Bengals are just kidding themselves. Victories over the slumping Eagles (Philly has lost four straight and six of seven) and the NFL's lone winless team in the Browns (0-13), is hardly anything to brag about. A.J. Green has been out with a hamstring injury and was listed as doubtful on Friday's injury report. Dalton is just an average QB without him and the Bengals have had trouble scoring all season, with or without Green (have scored 17 or fewer points in half of their last 12 games). With Bell being "unleashed," the Steelers are a dangerous offensive team plus as noted above, the defense is back in "Steel Curtain mode." Big Ben is 10-2 in the regular season at Cincinnati. Pittsburgh is an 8* play.
Pittsburgh: The Steelers ran roughshod over the Buffalo Bills last week, winning 27-20 and taking control of their own destiny by moving into sole possession of first place in the AFC North. Pittsburgh's turnaround has been linked to the coaching staff's commitment to Le'Veon Bell and the running game taking pressure off QB Ben Roethlisberger. Bell set a franchise record with 236 rushing yards against the Bills and added an additional 62 receiving yards while scoring three TDs. Bell's topped 100 yards in all four wins, averaging 155.0 YPG plus has caught 22 balls for 203 more yards. Big Ben is still a noteworthy QB, checking in with 3,254 passing yards with 25 TDs, 11 INTs and a QB rating of 95.0. Pittsburgh's defense has also been a force during the four-game run, registering 18 sacks while allowing 50 points (12.5 per).
Cincinnati: Andy Dalton failed to complete 56 percent of his passes during a three-game skid but the Cincy QB has connected on 72.9% while tossing four TDs and zero INTs in back-to-back wins over Philadelphia and Cleveland. RB Jeremy Hill went over 100 yards for only the second time this season in last week's win over Cleveland. The Cincinnati defense has done its part in Cincy's last gasp hopes of trying to earn a playoff berth, holding its last four opponents to 12.5 PPG.
The pick: The Bengals are just kidding themselves. Victories over the slumping Eagles (Philly has lost four straight and six of seven) and the NFL's lone winless team in the Browns (0-13), is hardly anything to brag about. A.J. Green has been out with a hamstring injury and was listed as doubtful on Friday's injury report. Dalton is just an average QB without him and the Bengals have had trouble scoring all season, with or without Green (have scored 17 or fewer points in half of their last 12 games). With Bell being "unleashed," the Steelers are a dangerous offensive team plus as noted above, the defense is back in "Steel Curtain mode." Big Ben is 10-2 in the regular season at Cincinnati. Pittsburgh is an 8* play.
