The Cincinnati Bengals are -3.5 road favorites in their AFC North bout with the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the 1 p.m. ET kickoff (CBS) at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 27.
My top Bengals vs. Steelers prediction and NFL picks expect Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Tee Higgins to play leading roles in covering the number in Week 3.
TOP Pick
Bengals vs Steelers prediction: Bengals -3.5
The Cincinnati Bengals have a huge quarterback advantage in this AFC North bout because Pittsburgh Steelers veteran Aaron Rodgers has thrown for just 5.2 yards per attempt and ranks 31st in EPA per play through two weeks.
As a result, the Steelers sit 31st in offensive DVOA and average just 11.5 points per game, while Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow has thrown for a middling 7.0 YPA and the Bengals rank 12th in offensive DVOA while averaging 26.5 points per game.
With the Bengals defense ranking seventh in defensive DVOA and allowing the fourth-lowest EPA per play, I’m anticipating another long afternoon for Rodgers.
Burrow and the offense won’t need to light up the scoreboard to cover the number Sunday.
COVERS INTEL: The Pittsburgh Steelers rank 31st in both third-down conversion percentage and net yards gained per pass attempt, which reinforces the struggles of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the offense.
Bengals vs Steelers combo
Cincy wide receiver Tee Higgins turned his 10 targets into five receptions for 95 yards last week, and his 19.3 yards per reception and 15.7 aDoT to start the season have my attention.
With Pittsburgh set to have its hands full with Cincy star wideout Ja'Marr Chase, Higgins stands to see softer coverage in Week 3, too.
Of course, Higgins has also scored double-digit touchdowns in consecutive years, and No. 3 wide receiver Andrei Iosivas (thumb) is also out of the lineup.
Bengals vs Steelers combo
- Bengals -3.5
- Tee Higgins 50+ receiving yards
- Tee Higgins anytime touchdown
Bengals vs Steelers touchdown scorer: Tee Higgins
The Bengals haven’t looked to Higgins in the red zone yet in 2026, and I’m anticipating that to change following his noted consecutive seasons with double-digit touchdowns.
Higgins garnered 19.8% and 19% of the red-zone targets the past two years, after all.
- Top picks: 13-10, +2.25 units
- Combos: 0-5, -5.0 units
Bengals vs Steelers odds
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- Spread: Bengals -3.5 | Steelers +3.5
- Over/Under: Over 42.5 (52%) | Under 42.5 (49%)
- Moneyline: Bengals 63% | Steelers 38%
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Bengals vs Steelers weather
The forecast calls for 65°F to 68°F temperatures under partly cloudy skies with an end-to-end breeze blowing at 8 to 10 mph at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Check out our NFL weather page for up-to-date info on every matchup.
Bengals vs Steelers trend to know
The Cincinnati Bengals have covered the spread in six of their last eight road games (+3.80 Units / 44% ROI). Find more NFL betting trends for Bengals vs. Steelers.
How to watch Bengals vs Steelers
| Location | Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pa. |
| Date | Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 1 p.m. ET |
| TV | CBS |
Bengals vs Steelers latest injuries
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