The Cincinnati Bengals host the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday night in a matchup to determine first place in the ultra-competitive AFC North division. Both teams will put their four-game winning streaks on the line in what many traders on prediction markets are calling a postseason preview.
Technically, the Steelers have a leg up on the Bengals due to Pittsburgh’s head-to-head victory over Cincinnati back in Week 3 by a score of 30-27. But the Bengals have been on a roll since embarrassing division rival Baltimore as Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati offense scored 35 unanswered points in the second half against the Ravens.
NFL prediction markets have the Bengals listed as 3.5-point favorites at home. But the 63¢ contract prices on the White, Orange, and Black to win are too expensive for my own tastes. I like the Steelers in this matchup, which is forecast to be played at temperatures below 40 degrees by the second half.
NFL fans who agree with my take can get contracts on the Steelers to roll over the Bengals at 38¢, or opt for a point-spread position that awards fifty-fifty odds on Pittsburgh to receive 3.5 points. Neither the Steelers nor the Bengals have played a quality opponent over the past month. Yet we think Aaron Rodgers is more consistent on the offensive side of the ball compared to Joe Burrow, even if the former LSU Tigers leader has been hot since mid-October.
I’ll take the “under” on the 49.5 totals market. My final score prediction: Pittsburgh 24, Cincinnati 20.
Both teams are 6-2 on the season and tied for first place in the AFC North division. However, this game has massive playoff implications in terms of which team has the best chance to host a playoff game. A Steelers victory gives them a 2-0 head-to-head record against Cincinnati.
If the Bengals come out on top, they will have split the regular-season series against Pittsburgh and will pull ahead by a full game. Pittsburgh has already split its season series against the Cleveland Browns. The Bengals, on the other hand, still have to play Cleveland twice between now and the end of the 2026 NFL regular season.
Look for the “White Bengal” alternate uniforms when the home team takes the field to kick off Sunday Night Football. Pittsburgh will wear its traditional “away” uniforms of black and gold. There was already more than $500,000 traded on the outcome of this game as of early Friday morning.
This will be the first “cold” game of the year for both teams, but no rain is forecast. Temperatures should also remain above freezing into the fourth quarter as fans watch all the action on NBC or via a Peacock subscription.
Look for the Steelers’ market to adjust ever so slightly between now and kickoff to bring their contract prices up to about 40 cents each. The Bengals have been an inconsistent team on offense during their late-season efforts. While Cincinnati will be in front of its home crowd, the live audience may start to express its impatience with the Bengals if they fail to put up points early.
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