After having a great season the Cincinnati Bengals enter the Wild Card game this Saturday as the underdogs in Top Online Sportsbooks, as they host the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bengals have a playoff slump in their shoulders, as they are 0-7 against the spread in these instances, they are going to face their demons at home personified as the Steelers. The average -3 line on the best sports books online, that has Pittsburgh as favorites, shouldn’t be that much of a surprise for Football betting fans, but can The Bengals come out on top and win their first Postseason game since 1991?
If you look at the Bengals and examine their roster and their performance this season, you could be tempted to believe them having a decent shot of pulling away a win. But then again, without Andy Dalton, Cinci appears to look weak. With all due respect to rookie Quarterback AJ McCarron, while he has not played bad so far, he has not yet played on big important games as this one. McCarron will have a lot of pressure in his first playoff game. But him not having any previous record or experience on this type of game is not necessarily a bad thing. All the greats had a first postseason game, and being at home could tip things in his favor. Regardless of what might happen next, The Bengals have a true chance, and the line posted by Top Online Sportsbooks gives a hint that odd makers don’t rule out that possibility entirely.
The main reason why we give the Bengals a shot of an upset, is that the Steelers have had head scratching losses in their season. Their last game of the regular season saw them lose unexpectedly against the Ravens. That almost cost them the season, and while their capabilities are not in question, one is left to wonder what version of Pittsburgh will show up to play this weekend. If you don’t count that game versus Baltimore, the Steelers have one of the league’s best offensive units, and they are a tough team to beat. They should have finished higher on the positions in the AFC, and the best sports books online all consider this game to go to the Steelers. The total is set at an average 46 points, and considering that Pittsburgh is looking to truly make a statement win, it is tempting to take that action on Top Online Sportsbooks.
If you like strong football games, were teams are pushed to the limit, this game will be a complete treat. The Bengals, pushed by an enthusiastic home crowd, will put on a dogfight. However we see the Steelers pitting on a strong second half. This game will come down to the stretch and Pittsburgh will steal it in the final minutes. Final score 31-24.
