The Cincinnati Bengals are on the road in an AFC North battle against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers were able to pick up a 16-10 road win earlier this season. The Bengals are third in the AFC North with an 8-6 record and are riding a three-game winning streak after a 27-24 overtime home win over the Minnesota Vikings. The Steelers are last in the division and are on a three-game losing streak after a 30-13 road loss against the Indianapolis Colts
With both teams still fighting for a potential playoff spot, which team would be able to pick up a Week 16 win?
Team | Spread | Total | MoneyLine |
Cincinnati Bengals | -2
-110 |
O36.5
-120 |
-130 |
Pittsburgh Steelers | +2
-110 |
U36.5
+100 |
+110 |
**Odds Courtesy of ESPN Bet** |
- Fixture: Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh
- Date and Time: December 23, 2023 @ 4:30 pm EST
- Location: Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Key Stats
Cincinnati Bengals
- Points Per Game: 21.9
- Points Allowed Per Game: 22.2
- 3rd Down Efficiency: 36.72%
- 4th Down Efficiency: 53.33%
- Net Passing Yards Per Game: 234.4
- Yards Per Pass Attempt: 6.9
- Passing TDs: 22
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 84.4
- Rushing TDs: 10
- Sacks: 38
- Interceptions: 15
The Cincinnati Bengals have been hampered by injuries on the offensive side specifically as both quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase are not going to be on the field in this game.
The Bengals have been playing well without much of a running game as they are 31st in the NFL with 84.4 rushing yards per game. They are 13th in passing yards per game with 234.4 yards and backup quarterback Jake Browning is playing well while coming off a come-from-behind win. So far this season he is 106-of-144 (73.6 completion percentage) for 1,248 yards with seven touchdowns to three interceptions.
The defense has been struggling a bit as they are 20th in the league, giving up 22.2 points per game. Linebacker Logan Wilson has been a star on this side of the field as he posted 114 total tackles (71 solo, 43 assisted) with 1.0 sacks, four tackles for loss, seven pass deflections, three interceptions and three forced fumbles.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Points Per Game: 15.9
- Points Allowed Per Game: 20.0
- 3rd Down Efficiency: 34.74%
- 4th Down Efficiency: 43.75%
- Net Passing Yards Per Game: 177.1
- Yards Per Pass Attempt: 6.2
- Passing TDs: 10
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 110.0
- Rushing TDs: 10
- Sacks: 39
- Interceptions: 13

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been doing poorly offensively as they are 28th in passing yards (177.1) and 16th in rushing yards (110.0) per game. With Kenny Pickett beginning to get limited practices this week, he may be under center for this game.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett has been struggling when he has been on the field and not producing many numbers. He is 201-of-324 (62.0 completion percentage) for 2,070 yards with six passing touchdowns to four interceptions. Wide receiver George Pickens has been doing decently well as he has 52 catches on 91 targets for 814 yards (15.7 yards per reception) with three receiving touchdowns.
Their defense has been playing well as they are currently tied for ninth in the NFL with 20.0 points per game allowed. All-Pro linebacker TJ Watt has been doing incredibly well as he leads the NFL with 16.0 sacks while also having 55 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, seven pass deflections, one interception, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Game Prediction
This is a perfect spot for Mike Tomlin to dominate and the Steelers do well in this spot. The Steelers are 22-12 against the spread after a double-digit loss during the Tomlin era. This game is going to be low scoring and getting the underdog here feels like the better play. Jake Browning played poorly for three quarters and this Steelers team is not going to break like the Vikings did last week so go with Pittsburgh to cover the spread.
Final Pick
Pittsburgh Steelers +2
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