Steelers at Bengals: How to watch, odds, expert picks for AFC North ...

The Cincinnati Bengals host the Pittsburgh Steelers in another intriguing AFC North contest. Controlling its own destiny in the division until an upset road loss in Cleveland, Pittsburgh tries to regroup against another Ohio opponent.

Despite a lowly record, Cincinnati and its high-powered passing game delivers another dangerous test for the Steelers. Winless against teams above .500 this season, the Bengals are favored by a few points in this matchup coming off of their bye week.

Leading the NFL in passing attempts and touchdowns, Joe Burrow needs to throw often with the Bengals’ inconsistent run game. Cincinnati hasn’t figured out its post-Joe Mixon backfield, with the Bengals ranked 27th in rushing offense. Against a top-five Pittsburgh run defense, it could be another Burrow-heavy afternoon for Cincinnati.

The Steelers will do everything to contain receiver Ja’Marr Chase, the NFL’s leader in receiving yards, yards after catch and receiving touchdowns. Even if Chase is kept in check, receiving counterpart Tee Higgins had a monster return in Week 11 against the Chargers. Lead back Chase Brown offers Burrow a decent check-down option despite inconsistent yardage as a runner.

Pittsburgh was riding a five-game winning streak before a snowy loss to the Browns. Leading the league in time of possession with its run-heavy scheme, the Steelers will turn to their backs in the hopes of keeping Burrow off the field. Facing a below-average Cincinnati secondary (No. 23 in passing yards allowed), quarterback Russell Wilson seeks a consistent second option besides receiver George Pickens.

Despite Trey Hendrickson’s NFL-leading 11.5 sacks, Cincinnati is 30th in sack rate with only 19 total on the season. The Bengals also need to fix a dreadful red-zone defense, ranked 31st in the league.

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(Photo of Mike Tomlin and Zac Taylor: Dylan Buell / Getty Images)

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