There are several divisional matchups on the Week 1 slate of the 2022 NFL season, and the upcoming clash between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals is arguably the hottest ticket of them all. The Bengals are hoping their Super Bowl hangover isn’t as bad as many say it is as they take on a Steelers franchise entering a new era in the wake of Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement.

Nitrobetting is ready to equip its bettors with the latest news, odds, and special features for the entire duration of the 2022 NFL season. This time, let’s take a closer look at the upcoming Week 1 divisional showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Steelers vs. Bengals Game Information

• When: Sunday, September 11, 2022, 1:00 PM ET
• Where: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
• TV: CBS
• Radio: SiriusXM
• Live Stream: NFL Game Pass
• NFL Odds: Steelers (+6.5) // Bengals (-6.5)

READ MORE: Bills vs. Rams 2022 NFL Week 1 Odds, Preview & Pick

Why Bet on the Pittsburgh Steelers?

For the first time in almost two decades, the Pittsburgh Steelers will not have Canton-bound quarterback Ben Roethlisberger under center on offense. What’s a bigger concern heading into Week 1 is that Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin has yet to announce his team’s starting QB for the season opener.

Many experts predict that former second-overall pick Mitchell Trubisky will get the starting nod. Trubisky had one breakout season in Chicago in 2018 before regressing in the next two years and being shipped off the Buffalo as the backup to Josh Allen last season. He’ll have to compete with the Steelers’ first-round pick from this year’s NFL Draft in hometown hero Kenny Pickett out of Pitt.

Regardless of the iffy QB situation that the Steelers are mired in, they can still rely on their strong ground game and sound defense. Running back Najee Harris made the Pro Bowl in his rookie campaign last season with 1,200 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s defense was tops in the league in sacks (55.0) thanks in large part to the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, stud linebacker T.J. Watt.

Why Bet on the Cincinnati Bengals?

The tables have certainly turned in the AFC North with the Cincinnati Bengals finally reaching their potential in 2021. Cincinnati beat out the Steelers for the division title last year with a 10-7 record (the team’s first winning record since 2015) and was also the belle at the postseason ball as Cincy stunningly reached the Super Bowl for just the third time in franchise history.

Expectations are certainly high for the Bengals, who have a dynamic offensive pairing in former LSU teammates Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. Burrow returned from a season-ending knee injury that derailed his rookie campaign in 2020 by throwing for over 4,600 yards and 34 passing TDs in the regular season. 13 of those 34 end-zone looks went to Chase, who also hauled in 81 catches for 1,455 receiving yards to earn him Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Cincinnati also has a stud running back at its disposal in Joe Mixon, who finished third in the NFL last season with his first-career 1,200-yard rushing campaign. The Bengals’ defense is a tad suspect, though. Then again, their collection of young, rising offensive superstars should still be able to one-up the Steelers’ vaunted defense as proven in their last few encounters against their bitter rivals.

Steelers vs. Bengals Betting Trends

• The Steelers went 3-5 on the road the previous season (4-4 ATS).
• The Steelers have lost three straight meetings against Cincinnati (0-3 ATS as well).
• The totals went over in three of the last four meetings between these two division rivals.
• The Bengals went 5-3 at home during the 2021 NFL regular season (4-5 ATS).
• The Bengals are 4-1 in their last five games as favorites to win, including the playoffs (SU/ATS).
• The totals went under in three of the last five games played in Cincy.

Steelers vs. Bengals Expert Betting Predictions

If the Steelers were more decided on who they’re starting quarterback will be in Week 1, then they would have probably better odds to upset the Bengals. Regardless, siding with Pittsburgh is still a sound choice given the rich history between these two franchises. On the other hand, one has to consider that Cincinnati is still the clear-cut favorite to win at home on opening week given its recent dominance over the Steelers and the huge buzz from the team’s unexpected Super Bowl run the last time out.

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*All stated odds are subject to change without prior notice.