When the 0-3 Bengals play the 0-3 Steelers on "Monday Night Football" (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN), the loser of the game knows they will have little chance to rally to win the AFC North this season. The winner, however, will be very much alive, just a game back of the Browns and Ravens, both 2-2 after Sunday.
Who will come out with the better performance to save their season, and who will fade further toward the top of the 2020 draft? Let's set the stage for how the latest chapter in the heated rivalry may play out.
Here's everything to know about betting on Bengals vs. Steelers, including updated odds, trends and our prediction for "Monday Night Football" in Week 5.
MORE: Get the latest NFL odds at Sportsbook Review
Betting odds for ‘Monday Night Football'
- Spread: Steelers by 3
- Point total: 45
- Odds: Bengals +105, Steelers -115
The Steelers have remained basically a home-field advantage favorite since the line was first released. With them starting Mason Rudolph instead of Ben Roethlisberger and the Bengals being coached by Zac Taylor instead of Marvin Lewis, it brings an unfamiliarity to a predictable matchup from years past.
Bengals vs. Steelers all-time series
The Steelers have dominated over the years with a 64-35 record, and they are looking to add the 100th meeting to the win column. They have won eight straight in the rivalry, dating back to December 2015. But seven of the past nine games between them have been decided by one possession.
Three trends to know
— 52 percent of spread bettors like the Steelers to cover at home, but 54 percent of the moneyline bettors like the Bengals to win outright.
— The Steelers are 35-19 against the spread vs. the Bengals since 1996, and 4-2 over the pass three seasons.
— The Steelers are 6-0 against the Bengals over the past three seasons and only one of those games went over the expected point total.
MORE: 18 incidents that have inflamed Steelers-Bengals rivalry
Three things to watch
James Conner vs. the Bengals' run defense
Cincinnati is the second-worst team against the run, only behind Miami, giving up nearly on average 169 yards rushing per game. Pittsburgh ranked 31st in the NFL with 90.3 rushing yards per game in '18 and despite being ranked 29th so far this season, has been worse at 64 yards per game.
The Steelers have a good offensive line and Conner is a more than competent back. The Bengals have a bad front seven. This screams breakout game for the Steelers on the ground.
Tyler Boyd vs. the Steelers' pass defense
The Steelers have been destroyed in slot coverage this season. Julian Edelman and Tyler Lockett were difficult coverage assignments and they also had trouble with the 49ers spreading the ball around in the middle of the field. Boyd has been very efficient with his routes, with 24 catches on 33 targets for 250 yards.
In his last outing against the Steelers, he caught 7 of 9 targets for 62 yards and 2 TDs. He needs to have another big game for the Bengals to have a chance. This time, the Steelers have Minkah Fitzpatrick to try to contain him.
Taylor vs. Tomlin
Taylor has brought some innovative passing concepts to the Bengals and they aren't afraid to be aggressive throwing with Dalton. The Steelers have given up a ton of big plays this season and the Bengals have been living off those, namely to speedy wideout John Ross. The Steelers started to clean up things up under coach Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Keith Butler, but they need to keep everything in front of them this week.
Stat that matters
The Bengals have allowed Dalton to be sacked 11 teams as their offensive line continues to be a big weakness. The Steelers have been slow with their pass rush out of the game, with only 6 sacks over three games. T.J. Watt and Pittsburgh's edge rush should rev up this week.
Bengals vs. Steelers prediction
The Steelers need to grind out this game by running often with Conner and shortening it for their defense. They cannot trust Rudolph to throw too much, nor should they, in a matchup where they will face little resistance with the power rushing attack. That's what Tomlin would like to do, anyway. The Bengals' mostly one-dimensional attack can be prolific, but it's also bound to be more mistake-prone on the road against na emotional defense that rises to prime time.
Steelers 20, Bengals 17
