Upstart Bengals Host Pittsburgh

NFL News - September 23rd, 2009 - Written by John

Steelers at Bengals -- Here were two teams, traveling down completely opposite roads after Week One, still shaking from startling finishes that left the Steelers still on top of the world and the Bengals, well, back in the basement.

Jeff Reed capped what seemed to be a gritty defensive game against the Titans with an overtime field goal to start the season with Pittsburgh's fifth win in a row, announcing to the NFL that despite several off-season losses, the were still, in fact, the Steelers.

Meanwhile, in Denver, the Bengals were mearly hanging on with their finger nails when Kyle Orton lofted up a prayer down the left sideline to a guarded Brandon Marshall. Leon Hall deflected the pass, thinking he had won the game, before Bronco receiver Brandon Stokley swooped in, picked the ball out of the air and stole away Cincinnati's first win of the season.

It was simple. The Steelers would be heavy favorites when they met these Bengals.

Well, a lot can change in a week. Cincinnati rebounded in a big way, coming back to beat the Packers at Lambeau, and the Steelers were undone by Jay Cutler and the Bears (the same team that lost to Green Bay the week before). Both teams are sitting at 1-1 heading into Sunday. More so, the team that Pittsburgh lost to (Tennessee) is still winless after losing last week to Houston, and the team that beat Cincinnati (Denver) is 2-0. Take that how you want.

And so, the Steelers are not heavy favorites this week, only giving the Bengals four points, according to BetUS. This game is getting the second lowest over/under in the league at 37, probably because of Pittsburgh's killer defense and inability to score more than 14 points in either of their first two contests. Taking the Bengals straight up will reward you at +165, while a moneyline bet on Pittsburgh will net a -200 payout.

For what it's worth, the Steelers own the all-time lead 48-30 and has won five in a row. They are 3-0 at Cincinnati against the spread since 2001, and 5-2 ATS against the Bengals overall in that span.

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