The Cincinnati Bengals are 0-7 straight up and against the spread in their last seven postseason games. The Bengals will be looking for their first playoff win since 1991 when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Saturday evening AFC Wild Card Game.
Steelers vs. Bengals 2016, NFL playoffs: Odds, spread, Wild Card betting preview and predictions
Two AFC North rivals clash as the Cincinnati Bengals host the favored Pittsburgh Steelers in the Saturday night NFL Wild Card Game.
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Cincinnati is a 2.5-point home underdog at Paul Brown Stadium, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. Each of the Bengals’ last three home playoff games have resulted in double-digit losses.
After an 8-0 SU and 7-0-1 ATS start, the Cincinnati Bengals looked to be on their way to a dream season. But over the second half of the year, the Bengals finished a pedestrian 4-4 SU and 5-3 ATS, and lost starting quarterback Andy Dalton due to injury. Backup AJ McCarron hasn’t played poorly, but the rookie quarterback is untested in big games and hasn’t been asked to do much in his limited action thus far.
Making matters worse for Cincinnati, the Bengals are just 2-13 SU in their last 15 games at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers per the OddsShark NFL Database.
The Pittsburgh Steelers no longer controlled their own destiny after an inexplicable loss to the Baltimore Ravens as an 11.5-point favorite in Week 16. However, with some help from the Buffalo Bills beating the New York Jets, the Steelers were able to secure a playoff spot with a Week 17 win over Cleveland.
Pittsburgh has been one of the best offensive teams in the NFL down the stretch, averaging 31.2 points per game over a 6-2 SU and 4-3-1 ATS run to end the season. The Steelers are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games in the month of January.
Saturday night’s total is set at 46 points. The OVER is 14-3 in Pittsburgh’s last 17 games as a favorite in January, and 8-1 in Pittsburgh’s last nine playoff games overall.
In addition to virtually all of the trends pointing Pittsburgh’s way, the Steelers would have the clear quarterback edge with a healthy Ben Roethlisberger going up against McCarron if Dalton isn’t able to return this weekend.
Cincinnati’s defense should keep the game close, but look for the Steelers to eventually pull away with a win and cover as a 2.5-point road favorite.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
When: Sat., Jan. 9, 8:15 p.m. ET
Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Betting Line / Total: Pittsburgh -2.5 / 46 Points
