Steelers vs. Bengals Predictions, Picks & Odds: NFL Week 13, Sunday 12/1
They’ve become one of the most popular aspects of the NFL season - AFC North rivalries. With the Pittsburgh Steelers having all six of their divisional games in their last eight games, we’ll get plenty of them, and this Sunday, it’s in Cincinnati against the Bengals. To enjoy arguably the most high-profile game of the weekend, check out our Steelers vs. Bengals predictions below.
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Steelers vs. Bengals Predictions For NFL Week 13, Sunday 12/1
There’s nothing quite like an AFC North rivalry, especially the later in the year they come. We just saw one on Thursday Night Football of Week 12 where the Steelers were upset in the snow by the Cleveland Browns.
However, they have still exceeded expectations this season, even with all the QB carousel drama. On the other side of the coin is the Bengals, who although perennially come out slow, have continued to perform below expectations. That makes this Sunday’s clash even more interesting.
Given how AFC North rivalries can truly feel like a toss-up no matter what, the top pick from our Steelers vs. Bengals predictions isn’t going to focus on one side.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Using The Pseudo-Bye
Having mentioned the Steelers upset loss on Thursday Night Football, that means that they’ll be entering Week 13’s matchup with a bit of extra rest. They should be nice and warmed up from the snow game and looking to provide the Bengals with the same fate that they suffered on TNF.
Despite having the better record and still leading the entire AFC North, Pittsburgh is still the clear underdog in Cincinnati this weekend! That further proves our statement of how crazy AFC North rivalries are, but if we’ve learned anything from this division, another upset is far from out of the question.
Cincinnati Bengals: Stopping The Streak
While Pittsburgh has the benefit of entering this game with a couple extra day’s rest, Cincinnati is coming off their actual bye week. It came following a prime time loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football, one in which they nearly pulled off a fantastic upset.
Even with their team struggles this season, QB Joe Burrow is having an MVP-caliber season and will be looking to continue it to stop the streak against the Steelers. A loss this Sunday would spell a three-game losing streak to the division rival and losing four of the last five clashes. Dropping to 4-8 would also be nearly putting a nail in the coffin of their playoff chances.
Steelers vs. Bengals Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
Pittsburgh indeed is the clear road underdog for the AFC North battle, and we’ve got the latest Steelers vs. Bengals odds at FanDuel Sportsbook for you below:
- Point Spread: Pittsburgh Steelers +3 (-115) vs. Cincinnati Bengals -3 (-105)
- Money Line: Pittsburgh Steelers (+136) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (-162)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 47.5 (-112) vs. Under 47.5 (-108)
Steelers vs. Bengals Best Bet: Under 47.5 Points (-108 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
As previously mentioned, we’re staying away from a side in this rivalry, especially when the Steelers vs. Bengals odds have it set right on that key number of three. We very well may see a last-second field goal finish, but we expect it to be a low-scoring one.
Pittsburgh has been predicated on defense all season, and in many fan’s eyes, since the Steel Curtain of the 1970’s. That is also most commonly the case in AFC North rivalries. In the Steelers’ last two games, they were 24-19 and 18-16 finishes against the aforementioned Browns and Baltimore Ravens.
We’re fully aware that the Bengals offense is their stronger unit, but everything truly changes when this division matches up. Admittedly, the past two seasons with the meetings between these two have gone 2-2 for the over/under.
However, the ‘trend’ in that record is that the two unders were both in Cincinnati, which is where we’ll see Sunday’s game being played. It’s also worth noting that Pittsburgh has had just three of their 11 games eclipse this total, and it’s a best bet we made with their game against the Ravens in Week 11.
We were shocked that it was 47.5 points for that game, and that was clearly the correct reaction. That’s also a worthwhile parallel, as Baltimore’s offense has been historically great this season, and they still scored just 16 points against Pittsburgh.
We’ve been harping on it, but AFC North rivalries truly are different, so we’re making the best bet from our Steelers vs. Bengals predictions on the under 47.5 points (-108 at FanDuel Sportsbook).
Steelers vs. Bengals Injury Report & Latest News
Bengals QB Joe Burrow was one of the biggest injury news storylines of the entirety of last season, and we’ve even seen his wrist bother him this year. However, with both teams having had some extra time off, we should see a matchup of largely healthy teams. Of course, still be sure to check on the latest NFL injury report right here from Fantasy Alarm.
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Player News
ESPN’s Seth Wickersham reports Caleb Williams considered forcing a pre-draft trade from the Bears before ultimately deciding he could win in Chicago.
In other words, he mulled pulling an Elway. “Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die,” were the words of Caleb’s father Carl to ESPN’s Seth Wickersham. Williams reportedly desired a trade to the Vikings, but he changed his mind after touring the Bears’ facility. “I can do it for this team,” Caleb reportedly told his dad. “I’m going to go to the Bears.” Williams acknowledged any attempt to force a trade would require going scorched earth on the Bears and city of Chicago, a process he did not have the stomach for. There have been zero reports of Bears/Williams drama since he made his peace with the idea, even after former coach Matt Eberflus’ clown show 2024 mistakes. It’s an interesting story, but one firmly planted in the past.
49ers signed No. 11 pick EDGE Mykel Williams to a four-year contract.
The deal is worth $24.9 million and is fully guaranteed. As is the case with all first-round picks, his contract includes a fifth-year option. The 49ers shed hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts this offseason and the bulk of those savings came on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive end was an obvious position of need and Williams was widely regarded as the best pass-rusher on the board when 49ers GM John Lynch was on the clock. Williams totaled five sacks in 2024 and left Georgia with 14 sacks across three seasons as a starter.
Vikings signed No. 24 pick OG Donovan Jackson to a four-year contract.
It’s a fully guaranteed deal worth $17.2 million with a fifth-year team option. Minnesota taking Jackson with the 24th-overall pick came as a bit of a surprise on draft night, but the Vikings needed offensive line help and Jackson was considered worthy of a first-round pick by some draftniks. He was primarily a left guard at Ohio State but successfully kicked out to tackle for the bulk of his senior season. Jackson is likely fated for guard duties in Minnesota, but the positional versatility remains a plus.
Titans claimed Anfernee Orji off waivers from the Saints.
Orji played primarily on special teams in New Orleans but was credited with two starts across 16 appearances. He totaled 30 combined tackles and a pair of TFLs. Orji will need to continue seeing work on special teams to make the Titans’ roster.
Patriots signed RB Trayveon Williams, formerly of the Bengals.
Henderson was passed on the Cincinnati depth chart by Chase Brown last year and the team even traded for Khalil Herbert midseason. Despite having no role on offense, Williams was active for all 17 games as a special teamer. He will likely hold a similar role in New England if he cracks the team’s 53-man roster.
Free agent RB Jordan Mims worked out for the Patriots.
The Pats also worked out former Bengals running back Trayveon Williams. Mims ran 20 times for 70 yards in 2024 while adding 12 catches for 71 yards through the air. He also got some run on special teams. The Patriots are looking for some extra depth at running back, but there isn’t room for another fantasy-relevant option behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.