NFL Week 18: Bengals vs Steelers Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (1/4)

The NFL Week 18 schedule marks the regular season finale, and Saturday’s action features a Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) showdown with major playoff implications. If you’re looking for the best Bengals vs. Steelers bets, then you’ve come to the right place for your weekly NFL betting advice.

Can Cincinnati keep its playoff hopes alive? Or will Pittsburgh play the role of spoiler?

Keep scrolling for this weekend’s Bengals vs. Steelers NFL Week 18 predictions and picks!

NFL 2024 Game Record: 17-6-0 (73.9%)

NFL 2024 Best Bet + Prop Bet Record: 20-24-0 (45.5%)

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Bengals vs Steelers NFL Week 18 Info & Odds (1/4)

Bengals vs Steelers Game Information

• Matchup: Cincinnati Bengals (8-8, 5-3 Away) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, 5-2 Home)
• Venue & Location: Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh, PA)
• Date: Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025
• Game Time: 8 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Bengals vs. Steelers: ESPN, ABC, ESPN+

CIN vs PIT NFL Week 18 Odds

All Bengals vs. Steelers NFL odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Thursday, Jan. 2 at 12:52 a.m. ET. Odds from other sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Bengals vs Steelers Spread

• Cincinnati Bengals -1.5 (-115)
• Pittsburgh Steelers +1.5 (-105)

Steelers vs Bengals Over/Under

• Over 48 Points (-110)
• Under 48 Points (-110)

Bengals vs Steelers Moneyline

• Cincinnati Bengals (-130)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (+110)

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Bengals vs Steelers NFL Week 18 Betting Trends

• Cincinnati is 3-8 straight up in its last 11 games vs. the AFC North.
• Pittsburgh is 6-2 straight up in its last eight home games vs. Cincinnati.
• Cincinnati is 4-1 ATS in its last five games vs. Pittsburgh.
• Pittsburgh is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games vs. the AFC North.
• The total hit the Over in seven of Cincinnati’s last nine games.
• The total hit the Under in 13 of Pittsburgh’s last 20 games played on Sunday.

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Bengals vs Steelers NFL Week 18 Predictions & Picks (1/4)

Each of these AFC North franchises has plenty of NFL playoff-related motivation to win on Saturday evening.

Even though they’ve clinched a playoff berth, the Steelers can still clinch the division title and the AFC’s No. 3 seed if they can notch a win combined with a Baltimore Ravens loss. Meanwhile, the Bengals are currently on the outside looking in regarding the postseason picture, however, they still have a shot at the No. 7 seed with a win over Pittsburgh along with a Denver Broncos loss + Miami Dolphins loss/tie.

The Bengals are the betting favorites heading into this pivotal showdown, but it’s the Steelers who had the last laugh when these rivals previously met this season. Fireworks were fully on display as Mike Tomlin’s team notched a 44-38 win over the Bengals at Paycor Stadium back in Week 13. At the end of the day, it was business as usual for Pittsburgh as it improved to 4-1 SU in its last five meetings with Cincinnati.

A lot has changed since that encounter, though. The Steelers are currently on a three-game losing streak ahead of the NFL Week 18 schedule, having been outscored by an average of 16.7 PPG along the way. Conversely, the Bengals have since gone on a four-game win streak that’s featured a plus-10.3 average scoring margin.

The Bengals haven’t tasted defeat since losing to the Steelers in Week 13. 

The Bengals also aren’t afraid to play on the road, proven by a 7-1 ATS record in their last eight away contests. Although the Steelers are 4-1 ATS in their last five outings at Acrisure Stadium, they’ve only covered the spread twice in their last six games overall. Additionally, Pittsburgh is only 6-4-1 ATS in its last 11 games as the home underdog.

For comparison, the Bengals have covered the spread 11 times in the last 15 instances where they were the away favorites.

With that in mind, I won’t be surprised if the Bengals win while covering the spread on Saturday. Joe Burrow & Co. are on fire lately and will be motivated to exact revenge for last month’s meeting. Needing to win to make the playoffs should also bring out the best in the Bengals, whereas the Steelers can afford to take it easy since they’ve already punched their postseason ticket.

Bengals vs. Steelers NFL Week 18 Prediction: CIN wins

Best Bengals vs. Steelers Bet: CIN -1.5 (-115)

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Best Bengals vs Steelers NFL Week 18 Player Prop Bet

I recommend going with Chase Brown o67.5 rushing yards (-104 on SportsBetting) for the best NFL Week 18 Bengals vs. Steelers player prop bet.

Even though he missed practice this week with an ankle injury, let’s assume Brown is playing on Saturday because of how important the matchup is.

The rookie running back has been extremely consistent when it comes to racking up yards and his totals have only improved as the campaign has progressed. In his last eight games, Brown is averaging an impressive 78.9 rushing yards per outing (compared to 44.9 in the first eight contests) while finishing with the Over on this prop five times. The former Illinois runner would’ve made it a sixth time had he not fallen a yard short last week, further illustrating how consistent he’s been.

While the Steelers have had one of the NFL’s better defenses this season, they’ve given up an average of 131.0 rushing yards in their last four games. That’s good news for Brown, who tallied a 70-yard performance against Pittsburgh in Week 13.

With the Steelers looking like a shell of their former selves amid the current slump, look for Brown to have a strong showing in the Steel City.

Best Bengals vs. Steelers Player Prop: Chase Brown o67.5 Rushing Yards (-104)

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