Bengals vs Steelers Monday Night Football Picks, Odds & Preview – Can Pittsburgh Break Through for a W?

• The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football
• Steelers have won 11 of last 12 meetings between the two teams
• Get the odds, our pick, and all the info you need to bet the game below

It’s not a position either the Cincinnati Bengals or Pittsburgh Steelers wanted to be in ahead of their Monday Night Football clash in the Steel City (Sep. 30, 8:15pm ET) to close out Week 4: winless.

Barring a tie, which we’ve already seen once this season, one of these 0-3 teams can at least jumpstart its semi-faint hopes of competing for an AFC North crown, while the other will most likely be playing for next year, just one sleep shy of October.

Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Odds

*Odds taken 29/09/19.

Both teams are lacking major star power, as AJ Green is still out after suffering an ankle injury in training camp, while Ben Roethlisberger is done for the year with an elbow injury.

Both Teams Need to Run the Ball

The Bengals and Steelers both have promising young backs that had breakthrough campaigns a year ago. But now, as their teams desperately need them to carry the load, the running lanes have not been there.

Bengals are 6-1 when Joe Mixon gets 20 carries. 10-1-1 when Gio Bernard gets 15 or more.

— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) September 29, 2019

Cincinnati back Joe Mixon rushed for over 1,100 yards a year ago, but through three games, he’s rushed for only 88 yards combined this season, averaging 2.8 per carry behind a depleted line. The Bengals are averaging just 42 yards on the ground as a team to start the year.

While Andy Dalton has thrown for 978 yards (second in the NFL heading into Week 4 behind Patrick Mahomes), he’s doing so out of necessity, as the Bengals have been down big early in their last two games – a blowout home loss to San Francisco and a 21-17 loss to the Bills where they fell behind 14-0.

It’s weird to say this, but at least they’ll be facing the Steelers’ defense. They currently rank 28th in the NFL in rush D.

If you live for their acceptance, you’ll die from their rejection… I can see and feel the hate, all luv tho.. Watch how I bounce back.

— James Conner (@JamesConner_) September 23, 2019

On the other side of the ball, James Conner proved a capable replacement for Le’Veon Bell a season ago, falling short of 1,000 yards in just 13 games. But the third-year pro has also not been able to get off, behind what is considered one of the best offensive lines in football.

Conner has 97 yards rushing through three games and just one TD.  He also coughed up the ball in the fourth quarter of the team’s Week 3 loss to the 49ers, a gaffe that set up the eventual winning score.

Here is the fumble by #Steelers RB James Conner in the 4th quarter pic.twitter.com/wGszgIavo1

— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) September 23, 2019

If he’s ever going to get a chance to break out, it’s a date with the Bengals, who are allowing an incredible 168.7 yards on the ground, ranking 31st in the NFL.

What’s the Best Bet to Make?

Mason Rudolph has looked shaky since taking over for Roethlisberger midway through Week 2. Save for some JuJu Smith-Schuster heroics, his 174 yards passing and two TD statline against the 49ers would have looked a lot worse.

JuJu Smith Schuster 76-yard TD from Mason Rudolph pic.twitter.com/Q6wmP0PXVm

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 22, 2019

It’s safe to say that Dalton is the more reliable option in this matchup, and if he can get the third-ranked passing attack going against the Steelers’ 31st-ranked pass D, they can at least try to grind out possessions with Mixon.

Another touchdown for John Ross!@andydalton14 ➡️ @WatchJRoss. 55-yard @Bengals TD! #SeizeTheDEY #CINvsSEA

📺: CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app

Watch on mobile: https://t.co/PoZiStO3mL pic.twitter.com/0Rlr91Bz9N

— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2019

However, this matchup has been so overwhelmingly Pittsburgh, who’ve won 11 of the last 12 meetings between the two teams, that the pedigree of success is hard to ignore.

Minkah Fitzpatrick's first INT as a Steelers. pic.twitter.com/OHkIMmYcjY

— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) September 22, 2019

Also, Cleveland beating Baltimore today leaves the division still in flux, and Pittsburgh clearly believes they are still in the mix, as they wouldn’t have traded for DB Minkah Fitzpatrick (who was a stud in his debut), or this week trade for TE Nick Vannett if they were just mailing it in.

The pick: Steelers (-170)