Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)
As the NFL season comes down to its final weeks, Week 16 features an intriguing matchup between Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers. At 8-6, Cincinnati may secure its playoff hopes, while 7-7 Pittsburgh must fight to keep alive its hopes. Saturday at Acrisure Stadium marks not only a battle for supremacy in standings but also an exciting contest of NFL free picks today; broadcast nationwide by NBC allows fans across America a glimpse of this high-stakes battle!
The Bengals have shown great offensive strength this season, both rushing and receiving. Joe Mixon has played 14 games so far and amassed 815 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns from running back position, showing off his ability to wiggle through defenses with ease. His average of 3.9 yards per rush attempt underscores his consistency as an underrated threat in the backfield. On receiving end, Ja’Marr Chase, one of their star wide receivers has been exceptional with 93 receptions for 1,156 yards from 14 games for an impressive total of 1,156 receiving yards after catch that makes him one of their main weapons against opponents.
Pittsburgh Steelers have proven both resilient and capable, particularly in their rushing and receiving game. Najee Harris, their workhorse at running back, has amassed 723 yards over 14 games while scoring four touchdowns; his ability to find gaps has been vital for their ground game. Meanwhile, George Pickens, their emerging wide receiver has emerged as an invaluable target in passing play; 52 receptions for 814 yards yielded an average 15.7 yard reception average showing his ability to make impactful plays downfield.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Game Info
| When: | Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 4:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Acrisure Stadium |
| TV: | NBC |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Joe Burrow QB vs. Kenny Pickett QB
Joe Burrow, quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, has been an essential piece of their success this season. Through 10 games he completed 244 passes out of 365 attempts at an astounding completion rate of 68%; 2309 yards passing and 15 touchdowns against 6 interceptions underscore his efficiency and playmaking abilities while his passer rating of 91 solidifies him as one of the league’s elite quarterbacks.
Kenny Pickett of the Pittsburgh Steelers has shown growth and promise during his 12 games for them, compiling 201 completions from 324 attempts and 2070 passing yards for an 81.4 passer rating – not spectacular, yet steady performance nonetheless. Pickett must find ways to elevate his game against an exceptional Bengals defense in order to have success against this game.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Cincinnati Bengals -140, Total Odds: 38
The betting odds lean slightly towards the Bengals, with a spread of -2.5 at -116 and a moneyline of -140. The total set at 38 points, with an over/under bet at -110, reflects the expectation of a closely contested, moderately scoring game. Bettors and fans alike will be dissecting these odds for insights into where the smart money should go.
Cincinnati Bengals Betting Trends
The Bengals offense has gone over 38 points in 5 of the last 6 games. They are 7-3 straight up in their last 10. However, unders have hit in 10 of their last 14 road games against Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Trends
The Steelers defense has held opponents under 38 points in 9 of the last 12 outings. They have struggled to cover spreads lately, going 1-4 ATS over the last 5 contests. Additionally, 14 of their last 20 home games have gone under the projected point total.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers 12/23/23 Betting Picks
Given the data and trends, this game presents a challenging pick. The Bengals, with their potent offense led by Burrow and Chase, seem primed to take the win, especially considering their recent form. However, the Steelers’ resilience and historical edge over the Bengals, particularly at home, cannot be overlooked. For those looking into top online betting, the smart money might be on the Bengals to cover the spread, given their offensive capabilities.
In terms of prop bets, over/under on total points might be a tricky bet, considering the contrasting trends of both teams. However, considering the Bengals’ recent trend of going over and the Steelers’ tendency to go under at home, a bet on the total points might lean towards the under, anticipating a tight, defensively oriented game.
