The Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) and Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) are coming into their Week 18 showdown from very different directions. The Bengals are playing their best football of the season, have won four games in a row and are still fighting to make the playoffs.
Meanwhile the Steelers are backsliding in a big way and after losing three straight are lucky to have clinched a playoff spot the week before.
So despite the fact that this game is to be played in prime time at Acrisure Stadium, Bet MGM has the Steelers as 2.5-point underdogs.
This game is crucial for Pittsburgh despite having already locked up a playoff spot. The Steelers will know if they have a shot at an AFC North title before kickoff as the Baltimore Ravens play in the afternoon spot. If the Ravens beat the Cleveland Browns, a wild card spot is the best the Steelers can do.
However, the playoff scenarios dictate that a win gives Pittsburgh the best chance to land a winnable playoff game as they would travel to Houston to take on Texans instead of a third game against the Baltimore Ravens.
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