Dec 12, 2015 4 min read

Paul Brown Stadium has been like a home away from home for the Steelers. Since it opened in 2000, the Steelers are 13-3 at Paul Brown, including a playoff win over the Bengals in 2005.

Today’s meeting between the Steelers and Bengals is very close to a playoff game – at least for the Steelers.

A loss means the Steelers will have to win their final three games to have a chance to reach the playoffs for the second consecutive season. And they would need the New York Jets, who are currently ahead of them in the AFC playoff race based on tiebreakers, to lose another game to an AFC opponent.

If the Steelers win out, they will be in the playoffs regardless of what the Jets do based on a better winning percentage against common opponents.

Currently, Cincinnati, at 10-2, sits atop the AFC by virtue of tiebreakers over New England and Denver. And the Bengals have a deep and talented roster.

Pittsburgh’s offense has been on a roll since a 16-10 loss to Cincinnati last month – a game in which quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was starting for the first time in more than a month.

The Steelers have scored at least 30 points in four consecutive games, the first time in team history that has happened. They also have put up more than 450 total yards in each of those games, matching an NFL record.

Cincinnati also has been on a bit of an offensive tear. The Bengals have scored at least 30 points in four of their last five games.

One of those games was a 34-31 loss at Arizona, the only NFL team currently averaging more yards per game than the Steelers.

The Bengals have swept Pittsburgh only two times (1998 and 2009) in 20 years. Neither of those two Pittsburgh teams were as good as this current Steelers team and neither made the playoffs.

The Steelers, meanwhile, have swept Cincinnati six times since McDonald native Marvin Lewis became the Bengals’ head coach in 2003.

The Bengals are 3-point favorites but the Steelers should win it in a shootout.

Take the Steelers, 37-31

The Redskins have been decent at home, bad on the road.

Take Chicago, 24-17

Shady McCoy gets a chance to take another parting shot at Chip Kelly, but the Eagles will win this one.

Take Philadelphia, 22-20

Brock Osweiler hasn’t been great but he hasn’t turned the ball over like Peyton Manning had been doing.

Take Denver, 24-16

Carolina survived a scare last week in New Orleans. The Falcons won’t provide such issues.

Take Carolina, 31-17

Dallas got a gift of a win Monday night but is on the road for a second-straight week.

Take Green Bay, 26-13

The Seahawks seem to be peaking at the right time. The Ravens are peaking at where they’ll be playing golf in a few weeks.

Take Seattle, 27-10

Remember when the Chiefs were 1-5 and beat the Steelers, 23-13? They haven’t lost since that game.

Take Kansas City, 27-14

Marcus Mariota has been solid in road games and the Jets struggle to score.

Take Tennessee to cover in a 23-20 loss

Miami has taken a big step backward this season. The Giants have lost four fourth-quarter leads.

Take the Giants, 24-20

The Patriots have lost two in a row. Can’t imagine them losing three straight.

Take New England, 30-20

The Bucs are in the mix for NFC playoffs.

Take Tampa Bay, 34-27

The Lions have played well in a month.

Take Detroit, 24-16

Johnny Manziel vs. Blaine Gabbert? Yawn.

Take San Francisco, 17-14

The Jags will be a team to watch in 2016 and they’ll get a big win over Indianapolis to drive home that point.

Take Jacksonville, 26-23

Last Week:

8-7 ATS; 10-5 Straight up

Overall:

93-80-5 ATS; 115-63 Straight up