IT’S GAME DAY!!

That means while we all wait for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals to kickoff at 1:00pm EST in Week 13 on Sunday, it’s time to take a look at who the SCN staff likes in this game. The current line for the game is PIT (+3) with a Total of 47.

But these picks are vs. the spread, or based on an over/under. These are straight up picks. So, let’s get to the prognostications…

Jeff Hartman

The Steelers are coming off a tough loss which seemed like weeks ago, and they are desperately in need of a bounce back game. The task won’t be easy, and they’ll have to go on the road to face another AFC North foe in the Cincinnati Bengals. Can the offense get the job done and score with Joe Burrow and the boys, or will the defense rise to the challenge of going against one of the more prolific passing attacks in the league? I think both sides of the ball will be up to the task, with the offense scoring enough to claim victory.

Prediction: Steelers 27, Bengals 24

Dave Schofield 

This is the most pivotal game of the season, but I have a feeling Steelers fans will get to say this many times. But after dropping a game to the Browns last week, the Steelers need to bounce back. With them having a good record in Cincinnati and doing well historically coming off the mini bye (while Cincy does not do well off of their bye week), I’m going with the optimistic approach.

Prediction: Steelers 30, Bengals 25

Jeremy Betz

The Cincinnati Bengals offense is one of the league’s best. But their defense is solidly one of its worst. The Steelers need to be balanced on offense to take advantage of Cincy’s porous group, but the run game will be the most important factor. If successful, PIT should be able to move the ball at will and keep Joe Burrow off the field. The key to this game will be the trenches, where I believe the Steelers have the advantage on both sides of the ball. In the end, I think the Steelers D makes things just messy enough for Joe Burrow and Co. to slow them down, while the offense rebounds from their recent scoring struggles.

Prediction: Steelers 31, Bengals 27

Anthony Defeo

The Steelers are going to try to keep Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense off the field. This will lead to disaster since quarterbacks like Burrow doesn’t need a ton of time to strike. Therefore, I see the Steelers going on long drives but not scoring enough touchdowns to make that strategy effective. The Steelers pass rush has been lacking as of late, and if that continues on Sunday, it’s going to be a long day.

Prediction: Bengals 38, Steelers 20

Big Bro Scho

Which Steeler team shows up this week? The one that I feel good about throughout the game, the one that dominates stats but can’t score, or the one that looks like they aren’t sure what they should be doing? I have this feeling that it will be a lot like last week. Missed opportunities early, followed by falling behind. Then they come storming back but fall short, leaving us as fans thinking about what could have or should have been.

Prediction: Bengals 32, Steelers 29

K.T. Smith

The Steelers generally don’t drop consecutive division games but this one is dangerous. Cincinnati is fighting for its life and needs a win to have any shot of making the playoffs. The thing that gives me solace is that Joe Burrow has struggled against the blitz this year, and the Steelers are one of the best blitzing teams in the league. Here’s to hoping they pressure Burrow into some mistakes and their red zone offense is proficient enough to make the Bengals pay.

Prediction: Steelers 24, Bengals 20

Corey Eckenroth

Another week, another Divisional game. The Bengals are a whisper away from being knocked out of playoff contention, and the Steelers can provide the knockout punch this weekend.

The Bengals offense will undoubtedly make it tough, but then again, the Bengals defense may make it easier. Najee has done relatively well against the Bengals, and I see it continuing here.

Prediction: Steelers 27, Bengals 23

Jason Murphy

My head tells me this will be a second straight division loss on the road, but my heart is telling my head to shut up. The coaching staff needs to step up and show they can make the extra days to prepare for Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins pay off with some new wrinkles to throw at them. Perhaps use JPJ to shadow Higgins and double-team coverage on Chase. Burrow will not shy away from challenging Minkah over the middle, and he finally makes a splash play to secure a very close win.

Prediction: Steelers 26, Bengals 23

What is your prediction? Let us know in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the upcoming Week 12 game between the Steelers and Browns.