2024-25 NFL Week 18 Match Preview - Cincinnati vs Pittsburgh: Can the Bengals get a pivotal win against the Steelers? January 1, 2024 by Marc Jerbs

The Cincinnati Bengals are up against their long-time rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The game is going to be on January 4, 2024, at 8:00PM EST in Acrisure Stadium. This is an important Week 18 matchup. Both teams have different kinds of postseason aspirations. So, it is expected to have a lot riding on the game, great competition, and possibly some playoff outcomes.

The Cincinnati Bengals enters this match with an 8-8 standing and meltdown playoff hopes. They must win it to keep alive any chance of getting a Wild Card. Offensively, the Bengals have been very strong powered by the star quarterback Joe Burrow, who had an extraordinary season. Burrow brims with elite prowess, having thrown 4,641 passing yards and 42 touchdown passes so far this season-the highest in the NFL. His art in handling people creates quite a dangerous team for Cincinnati, particularly coming off a nail-biter in overtime with a victory over the Denver Broncos in which Burrow threw for 412 yards and three touchdowns.

Pittsburgh vs. Cincinnati Sports Bet Odds

The Bengals are the favorites to win the game. Here are our latest odds:

• The Bengals are favored by 1.5 points, with a money line of -130.
• The Steelers are the underdogs by 1.5 points, with a money line of +110.
• The over/under is set at 48.5 points, with the over at -110 and the under at -110.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, at 10-6, have basically punched their playoff ticket but are scrambling for a better seed in it. The last three games of the Steelers have seen them facing quite high-skill teams in their losing streak. Quarterback Russell Wilson has also been ADS during that period, going without hitting a 200-or-more-yard game in two weeks and throwing one pick in the Kansas City game. Yet the tandem of Najee Harris and some very good receivers like George Pickens can wreak havoc against a Bengals defense that has shown some signs of vulnerability, particularly in going up against the run.

The game will be headed and won by trench battles. Both defenses have received at least some poor reviews in the past by this season. The Bengals defense against the run has much to be desired, entering this game by allowing an average of 146 rushing yards per game. That must play to the hands of the Steelers' rushing attack, led by Harris and Jaylen Warren, who have still shown promise during the season. So, open up the play-action opportunities for Wilson to open the Bengals' secondary if the Steelers run their ground game early.

The Bengals must maximize their offense's potential in countering whatever fort it can mount by the Steelers. Cincinnati's quarterback-receiver trio of Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins has been a killer. Chase is the receiving touchdown and total yards leader. So it is going to take a nice assortment of fast throws and deep shots to stretch the Bengals offense and keep the Steelers guessing on defense.

Cincinnati vs Pittsburgh Injury Report

Cincinnati Bengals

PLAYER	POSITION	STATUS
Tee Higgins	WR	Questionable
Joe Burrow	QB	Questionable
Chase Brown	RB	Questionable
Charlie Jones	WR	Questionable
Drew Sample	TE	Questionable

Pittsburgh Steelers

PLAYER	POSITION	STATUS
Donte Jackson	CB	Questionable
Roman Wilson	WR	IR
Logan Lee	DT	IR

Currently, the competitive matchup is being lined up by Vegas, which has placed the Bengals as the narrow favorites at -2.5 points. An overly aggressive game on both sides is expected considering that the playoffs are on the line for each team. While the game has an over and under of 48.5 points, it makes the offensive fireworks possible in this kind of rivalry.

Most analysts argue that turnovers could be the deciding factor, as we know that even the duo of Burrow and Wilson has had some hiccups in dishing out interceptions occasionally. The team that can consistently protect the ball and pressure the opponent's quarter back will carry a huge edge.

All in all, this game stands to be electrifying, as it has everything to depend on the playoffs between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Under the lights of Pittsburgh, the fans will see AFC North football at its finest, testing the will and ability of both teams to the fullest. Win or lose, this will go to the hallowed halls of history by putting this game into the canon of the two bitter franchises' glorious run against one another.

2024-25 Comparative Cincinnati vs Pittsburgh Stats

Cincinnati Bengals 3rd AFC North (8-8) 5-3 Away | W4		Pittsburgh Steelers 2nd AFC North (10-6) 5-2 Home | L3
28.3	Points Per Game	22.7
274.6	Passing Yards Per Game	196.6
94.1	Rushing Yards Per Game	130.8
32	Total Sacks	33
15	Total Interceptions	16