Bengals at Steelers Under 48 1/2
This is a huge, intense rivalry game where nothing is going to come cheap. The Bengals allowed the second-fewest points in the NFL last season. The Steelers have held the Bengals to 17, 16, 20 and 16 points during their last four meetings going back to late 2014.
Cincinnati’s offense isn’t as good as it was in 2015 when Andy Dalton was healthy. Dalton is back, but the Bengals are without injured tight end Tyler Eifert and their wide receiving corps took a step back losing Marvin Jones and Mohammed Sanu. Brandon LaFell, Tyler Boyd and C.J. Uzomah are downgrades from Jones, Sanu and Eifert.
The Bengals have defended well on the road against Ben Roethlisberger intercepting him eight times while holding him to seven touchdown throws during the past seven games played in Pittsburgh. The Bengals also have kept Antonio Brown in check holding him to 60 fewer receiving yards in the last three games than Brown has averaged when Roethlisberger has been his quarterback versus other opponents.
The Steelers are missing weapons, too, with Le’Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant under suspension and projected starting tight end LaDarius Green hurt.
Note, too, the field conditions. Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field is a grass field and one of the more difficult venues to make field goals. There also is a 48 percent chance of rain.
