The Pittsburgh Steelers have cooled considerably over the past four games, making their hot start to 2025 a distant memory.
Pittsburgh has lost three of its last four games, including a dud of a showing at L.A. on Sunday Night Football, and hosts a Cincinnati Bengals team that stunned the Steelers back in Week 7.
Here are my early Bengals vs. Steelers predictions and NFL picks for November 16.
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Bengals vs Steelers predictions
Here are our early thoughts on the spread and total for this week’s game. We will have a full game preview (with a best bet and SGP) later in the week.
Early Bengals vs Steelers spread pick: Bengals +5.5
The Pittsburgh Steelers opened as 5.5-point home favorites in Week 11, and some books took that line to -6 before buyback on the Cincinnati Bengals pushed the spread to its original post.
That spread may not be done moving, with the vig on Cincy +5.5 as high as -115 — indicating a potential move down. The Bengals did upend the Steelers back in Week 7, winning a wild 33-31 shootout on Thursday Night Football.
Since that game, Cincinnati has suffered a pair of high-scoring defeats at the hands of the Bears and Jets. This Bengals offense has been able to put up points with backup quarterback Joe Flacco under center, and the week off came just in time with the veteran nursing a shoulder injury earlier in the month.
Pittsburgh’s defense is chronically inconsistent in 2025, and the offense looked lost in Week 10, with Aaron Rodgers passing for just 161 yards and two interceptions against the Bolts. After a steady start through the first six weeks, this Steelers offense has tumbled down the advanced metrics the past four outings.
If the Bengals can keep scoring like they have been, Pittsburgh may struggle to keep pace with Rodgers really showing his age.
Early Bengals vs Steelers total pick: Under 50.5
Cincinnati’s defense is the reason this total is bouncing between 49.5 and 50.5 points in the first 12 hours of action.
Even with these rivals combining for 64 points in Week 7, I believe books will keep this below the key total of 51 points. Should it hit that mark later in the week, expect buyback on the Under.
The Bengals have allowed 27+ points in eight of their nine outings and rank dead last in a bunch of fancy analytics — well below the No. 31-rated defense. Cincinnati doesn’t present much pressure up front and has allowed 34 passing plays of 20+ yards on the year.
Rodgers was locked down under duress in L.A. on Sunday, but even when given time in the pocket, this passing attack is far from explosive. Pittsburgh has posted only 21 completions of 20+ yards with Rodgers averaging a league-low 3.7 air yards per completion for qualified QBs.
If the Steelers are going to stop the bleeding, they will need the defense to step up at home.
Pittsburgh’s performance on Sunday night wasn’t horrible, checking the Chargers to 4.6 yards per play, 18 first downs, and sacking Justin Herbert four times, but the offense's inability to move the chains and three turnovers left the stop unit on the field for 37:35.
The extended forecast for Acrisure Stadium sees rain on Sunday with wind gusts as high as 21 mph. That could keep scoring down and make a mess of the questionable grass surface in the Steel City as well.
Bengals vs Steelers odds
- Bengals vs. Steelers spread: Steelers -5.5
- Bengals vs. Steelers moneyline: Bengals -250, Steelers +200
- Bengals vs. Steelers Over/Under: 50.5
How to watch Bengals vs Steelers
- Bengals vs. Steelers matchup
- Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025, 1:00 p.m. ET
- City: Pittsburgh, PA
- Venue: Acrisure Stadium
- TV: CBS
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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