Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 9/30/19 NFL Predictions & Odds

Bengals vs. Steelers MNF Total Prediction

A pair of winless rivals from the AFC North will square off tonight on “Monday Night Football” when the Steelers host the Bengals in Pittsburgh at 8:15 p.m. ET. Given the matchup, is the under the best play for bettors?

Game Snapshot

277 Cincinnati Bengals (+3.5) at 278 Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5); O/U 45

8:15 p.m. ET, Monday, September 30, 2019

Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA

Public Betting Trends

According to our NFL Football Public Betting Chart page, the Steelers are receiving 59% of the betting tickets from online sportsbooks.

Cincinnati Bengals Fantasy Spin

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, A.J. Green (ankle) is expected to be out at least through Week 6. Green has already been ruled out for Monday night's game in Pittsburgh and it doesn't look like he'll be suiting up when the Bengals host Arizona in Week 5 or the following week when Cincy visits Baltimore. There may be more at play than Green's ankle as the contract-year receiver could be holding out for a new deal. At this point, the Bengals probably would have been better off stashing Green on injured reserve than continuing to waste a roster spot on a player who seems nowhere near a return. Tyler Boyd and John Ross will continue to serve as Andy Dalton's primary receivers with Auden Tate also a fixture in three-wide sets.

Pittsburgh Steelers Fantasy Spin

Vance McDonald (shoulder) is officially doubtful for Week 4's game against the Bengals. There's a "chance" he plays but it's highly unlikely since McDonald hasn't practiced this week and since Pittsburgh just traded for TE Nick Vannett. The Steelers passing game looked terrible on the road last week, too, so it's safe to wonder how productive McDonald would be even when healthy with Mason Rudolph at quarterback.

NFL Betting Trends

Cincinnati

The under is 15-7-2 in the Bengals’ last 24 games versus an opponent with a losing record.

Pittsburgh

The under is 18-7 in the Steelers’ last 25 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.

Prediction

Neither of these defenses have played well this year but I trust the defenses more than I do these offenses. The Steelers had issues offensively even before Ben Roethlisberger went down. Mason Rudolph might eventually prove to be the answer long term but he was shaky last week in Santa Clara and those far, the running game isn’t there for Pittsburgh like it has been in recent years. Meanwhile, the Bengals remain banged-up on offense themselves and until they’re at full strength, I think they’ll play things conservatively. The under is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings between these two teams in Pittsburgh and is 5-2 in the last seven meetings overall.

NFL Week 4 Prediction: Bengals/Steelers UNDER 45