Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
Monday, 11/8/2010, 8:30 PM EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Pittsburgh -3.5
Current Betting Line: Pittsburgh -6
Opening Total: 42.5
Current Total: 41
Current Moneyline: Pittsburgh -275 / Cincinnati +235
Pittsburgh is back in the national spotlight after dropping a 20-10 road contest to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday Night Football last week. The Steelers were unable to move atop the AFC North Division with the loss and will now have their hands full with a team that swept them last year. “You can’t make excuses,” said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. “We never got into any rhythm. This is definitely a gut check for us.” The two-time Super Bowl champion will be playing just his fourth game of the season after being suspended four games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. He has posted a 6-1 record in Cincinnati with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. Pittsburgh is 2-2 ATS on the road this season and 10-10 ATS away from Heinz Field the last three years. The NFL lines page has them listed a healthy road favorite.
The Steelers get a break in playing on Monday Night Football after playing the nightcap the week before and head coach Mike Tomlin is a perfect 5-0 when his team plays on this special day of the week. Pittsburgh will likely look to establish a ground game due to rushing for 162.1 yards per game in its last nine visits to Paul Brown Stadium, but running back Rashard Mendenhall is going to have to elevate his play. The former Fighting Illini runner is gaining just 67.8 yards over his last four games. Defensively, the team is definitely one of the better stop units in the league, but has surrendered 261.5 yards per game through the air over the past four games.
Cincinnati is set to make its 28th appearance on Monday Night Football and will be playing the Steelers for the eight time, which is their most familiar opponent in this special time slot. The Bengals are coming off a winless October that saw the team drop all four games by a single-possession margin and tonight’s opponent is focusing on making sure the losing streak moves to five. “I don’t know if there’s a worse feeling than losing a bunch of games in a row,” said quarterback Carson Palmer. “This is definitely a low for this group.” This game can certainly be labeled a “must win” for the home team tonight, as they sit tied for last in the division and three games back of Baltimore. Cincinnati is 2-5 ATS this season and 9-20 ATS versus conference opponents.
The Bengals have made nine previous appearances at home on Monday Night Football, tallying a 6-3 record in the process. Cincinnati’s offense has shown signs of brilliance this year, but it hasn’t translated into wins, as the team has a losing record through the first half for the fifth time in the Marvin Lewis’ era. Wide receiver Terrell Owens has provided the team a lift with his ability to make big plays, producing seven catches of 25 yards or more thus far. “I think I’ve probably surprised a lot of people,” said Owens. “All along I’ve known that I could play.” His quarterback has thrown 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions this year, but has struggled at times to deliver the football.
Bettors will definitely make note that the Steelers are 7-1-1 ATS in their last nine meetings in Cincinnati, while the Bengals are 5-1 ATS as a home underdog.
The NFL handicappers at Maddux Sports are delivering winners on a weekly basis and can’t wait for tonight’s contest!
