Bengals-Steelers predictions..

[walshfan]

We've had all week to disect each team and come up with our conclusions on who will win this

epic event at PBS....

Noone could have asked for a more heated first round game than this one.. Two divisional foes.. both wanting to show the other their the best in the division..

So what do you think the outcome will be?? What score do you have in mind ?

I think the Bengals play pretty much errorless football on offense and get the Stools into a shootout which is Bengal ball...

Bengals 34 Steelers 30

[Stripes]

I expect the offense to play as well as it has played all year long. The line will give Palmer the time he needs to exploit a vulnerable Steelers secondary, and Rudi will continue his success against them.

On defense, we're screwed. I expect us to stop the run better than many expect, but at the cost of giving up another big game to Big Ben. I expect a high scoring affair.

Bengals 31-24

[jjakq27]

Bengals 28-24.

[DesperateDerelict]

From Walters site (Walters Football Site)

Steelers (11-5) at Bengals (12-4). Line: Steelers by 3. Over-Under: 44.

Sunday, 4:30 ET

Walt's Projected Line (Before Week 17 Games): Bengals by 3.

Walt's Projected Line (After Week 17 Games): Bengals by 3.

The Game. Edge: Bengals.

Injuries: Bengals: OUT: C Larry Moore, S Madieu Williams, S Kim Herring. QUESTIONABLE: OT Levi Jones, CB Deltha O'Neal.

The Bengals were one-point favorites on Sunday night. By Monday morning, they were three-point underdogs. I don't need to tell you that teams that have a lot of points move in their direction often play poorly. Apparently, Vegas knows a lot more than everyone gives them credit for.

All of the analysts on ESPN note that Pittsburgh went back to the running game after it lost at home to Cincinnati on Dec. 4. Can you blame them for believe that theory? The Steelers ran the table, winning their final four contests of the season. However, Pittsburgh did in fact run the ball plenty of times against the Bengals. Willie Parker, Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley combined for 26 carries, gaining just 86 yards in the process. Furthermore, if you subtract a fluke 17-yard gain by Parker, the three managed only 69 yards on 25 rushes. The Bengals, who did not try in their season finale against Kansas City, are better against the run than most people will give them credit for. Prior to the Chiefs battle, Cincinnati had not surrendered more than 74 rushing yards to a single running back since Nov. 27. The Bengals' problem on defense is their non-existent pass rush. Ben Roethlisberger should be able to help his team move the chains, but he has proven that he cannot carry the Steelers on his back. Cincinnati's opportunistic secondary will pick him off a few times.

The Steelers permitted Kelly Holcomb to throw for 429 yards and three scores in the 2003 playoffs. Besides drafting Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh did not fix its secondary. The unit was exposed last week when Joey Harrington looked like a legitimate quarterback; it was exposed against Indianapolis and Cincinnati this season; and it was exposed when the Steelers lost to the Patriots in last year's AFC Championship. The combination of Carson Palmer to Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chris Henry will not be stopped. Pittsburgh's focus on the passing attack will open up a few running lanes for Rudi Johnson; the Bengals running back gained 98 yards on 21 carries when the teams clashed on Dec. 4.

The wrong team is favored. Cincinnati gained confidence when it nearly beat Indianapolis and defeated Pittsburgh the following week. The Steelers are no longer the kings of the AFC North. The torch will be passed around 7:45 on Sunday evening.

Friday Morning Update: I have upgraded this to a Bonus Double Money Pick. I can't imagine Pittsburgh winning this game. Think about it this way: The Steelers are favored because they beat Cleveland, 41-0? Give me a break.

The Trends. Edge: Bengals.

History: Steelers have won 9 of the last 12 meetings.

Extreme Line Movement: Teams that have had the line change in their favor by three or more points are 2-8 ATS this year.

Line Movement: Bengals -1 (open) to Steelers -3.

Total Movement: 44½ (open) to 44.

Weather: Cloudy, 42 degrees. Light wind, 10 mph.

Prediction: Bengals by 14. (Bengals +3). Bonus Double Money Pick. Over

[Spain]

35-24 Bengals win. Why?

We have the better QB. When betting on the playoffs the first thing you look at on the teams is who has a real deal QB. Palmer is Ben is still a wanna be. Theoritically if the teams both have real deal QBs then I look at the running game. Guess what ours is better too. So if they were even I would then look at who has the best defensive player. Guess what we do. Deltha is the best players on these two Ds. Then if you need to you can count impact defensive players and they win. So there is my criteria for picking games.

[kingwilly]

B-boys win.

34-23....

Ben is still hurt, lest we forget the thumb?

[Dan2330]

Bengals 34

Steel 31

OT thriller to end a great weekend of close games (besides Pats blowing out Jags)

[blurple thunder]

35-24 Bengals win. Why?

We have the better QB. When betting on the playoffs the first thing you look at on the teams is who has a real deal QB. Palmer is Ben is still a wanna be. Theoritically if the teams both have real deal QBs then I look at the running game. Guess what ours is better too. So if they were even I would then look at who has the best defensive player. Guess what we do. Deltha is the best players on these two Ds. Then if you need to you can count impact defensive players and they win. So there is my criteria for picking games.

There's a homer call if I ever seen one. The Bengals run game better then the Steelers? They must have some great drugs in Spain.

My call:

Steelers-31

Bengals-17

The Steelers D will be flying all over the place causing Carson to make bad plays. We will be seeing some new blitz packages this game that Carson will not know how to handle. Rudi will be held to less then 50 yards.

Look for the Bus to start. The Steelers offense will create huge holes for the Bus to run through. Once the Bengals D is worn down look for Fast Willie to take over and burn up the field for 150 yards. The Steelers D will have over 250 rushing yards before the day is over.

[Spain]

Oh MR purple how quikly we forget Chris Perry is back.

[HairOnFire]

There's a homer call if I ever seen one.

Yet you managed to top it with your own version of the ultimate homer post. (Blurple blather?)

[HairOnFire]

I think Pittsburgh will score plenty. In fact, I think they'll score as often as Cincy. But I'm going to shock the Steakhouse and predict that Cincy's defense steps up. Sort of. Pittsburgh will be forced to settle for 3 points more often than Cincy and that will be the difference.

Bengals 34

Steelers 26

[IckeyShuffle]

Bengals 28 Steelers 20

Bengals score first, control game and tempo. Make Pitt. play from behind all day.

[MacD BengalFan]

The Steelers D will be flying all over the place causing Carson to make bad plays. We will be seeing some new blitz packages this game that Carson will not know how to handle. Rudi will be held to less then 50 yards.

I think you may have forgotten that Carson does not make many bad plays regardless of the pressure and this should continue against Pittsburg. The offensive line will protect Carson and prevent "Blitzburg" from this kind of nonsence and open large holes against that vaunted Pittsburg D for Rudi and Chris Perry to run through. Plus, the Steelers are not able to hang in the event of a shootout. Cincy has a better big play offense then Pitt and can out score anyone in the league except Indy. This will be a high scoring game and Cincy will come out on top 42-31 for thier first playoff win in over 15 years.

Go CINCY!!!!!

[haf5er]

I like the Bengals 32-24

Bengals get an early lead and then contain their running game, Pig Pen will not beat them. Rudi has a big game, 120+ and a couple scores

[Ox]

Well I'm seeing a huge day for Chris Perry and Chris Henry. Chad will be double teamed all game long. I believe that in the end zone, last score of the 4th quarter, Chris Perry breaks off the Icky Shuffle after a 35 yard TD romp.

Palamalu hangs his head, Cower leaves still winless from the road in the playoffs, and the 'nati finally wears the daddy pants in the division.

And then the media starts talking about how Pittsburgh didn't get beat, but gave the game away. Again.

***Sigh***

Cincy - 35

Steelers - 20

[PMThor]

Bengals score first, control game and tempo. Make Pitt. play from behind all day.

X2. When the Bengals score first and fast, Pittsburgh will have to rely on Bens arm to carry the day to catch up. It happened in Pittsburgh earlier this year. Well in a shootout, I will take Carsons arm over Bens any day. The Pitt running game will be a non factor because they will be playing from behind and won't be able to ramp up the rushing attack. Now if Pitt controls the ball and keeps the O off the field, then we could be in trouble. I just don't see that happening though.

Also, I see Ben having a crap game. When has he had a good playoff game anyway? Two picks, and 4 sacks.

[jungleman]

the bengals will win 35-21.

The reason they will win is that we are the better team.

[schweinhart]

Frankly I don't see either team's defense completely stopping the other team's offense.

As such, I'll say both teams score 5 times. What kind of scores those are will determine the outcome.

Bengals 27

Steelers 23

I'm banking on the Bengals D mustering some kind of balls-to-the-wall effort to make 3 of those Steeler scores FGs. But also quite frankly, the conventional wisdom is most likely going to say the defense that has the better shot at holding the other offense to 3 FGs is the Steelers defense. And that would be based on how the Bengals D has performed in recent weeks as much as anything else.

But our boy Carson Palmer throws some wicked rope now don't he.

[combatbengal]

I predict it will be close hard fight. Bengals win by a FG. We have a healthy team. Our Def will not be able to stop the Steelers run game but then they won't be able to stop our off. So, it'll be a shoot out. There wil be few to no turnovers for both teams. It's going to be a great game! No matter what happens though, I'm proud of what the Bengals have done this year. I also look forward to seeing them next week in Denver! Go Bengals

[hhi_WHO_DEY]

BENGALS 28 STAULERS 20...

THE BENGALS ARE AT HOME WITH A FRESH HEALTHY TEAM, READY TO END THE STEELERS SEASON.

THOSE TIRED STAULERS WILL KEEP IT CLOSE IN THE FIRST HALF, BUT THE 4'TH QUARTER WILL SHOW

JUST HOW OVERWORKED AND TIRED THE STAULERS REALLY ARE.

WHO--DEY!!!!!!!

IT'S OUR TURN

[bengalboomer7]

I've got one reason why the Bengals will win. It's friggin Coach Cowher in a playoff game. He always does dumb s**t in the playoffs, like kicking a field goal from the one yard line while your way down in the fourth quarter Whoever it was that said "field goals" is exactly right I think.

Bengals 27 Steelers 17

Tied 17 all Palmer leads them down the field for a Shayne Graham field goeal with 1:13 left in the game. Pitt makes it just into Bengals territory when Ben is picked on the out route by Deltha O'neal who returns the pick for a score

[schweinhart]

I've got one reason why the Bengals will win. It's friggin Coach Cowher in a playoff game. He always does dumb s**t in the playoffs, like kicking a field goal from the one yard line while your way down in the fourth quarter Whoever it was that said "field goals" is exactly right I think.

Bengals 27 Steelers 17

Tied 17 all Palmer leads them down the field for a Shayne Graham field goeal with 1:13 left in the game. Pitt makes it just into Bengals territory when Ben is picked on the out route by Deltha O'neal who returns the pick for a score

I look forward to watching the gutshot look on Chinface as the reality sets in that it's over....again....for him.

[HOMBRE DE ACERO]

I've got one reason why the Bengals will win. It's friggin Coach Cowher in a playoff game. He always does dumb s**t in the playoffs, like kicking a field goal from the one yard line while your way down in the fourth quarter Whoever it was that said "field goals" is exactly right I think.

Bengals 27 Steelers 17

Tied 17 all Palmer leads them down the field for a Shayne Graham field goeal with 1:13 left in the game. Pitt makes it just into Bengals territory when Ben is picked on the out route by Deltha O'neal who returns the pick for a score

I look forward to watching the gutshot look on Chinface as the reality sets in that it's over....again....for him.

Steelers all trhe way baby all the way let`s break somo other legs in Indy

Fuc......COLTS

STEELERS 27 COLTS 24

[LB51]

I've got one reason why the Bengals will win. It's friggin Coach Cowher in a playoff game. He always does dumb s**t in the playoffs, like kicking a field goal from the one yard line while your way down in the fourth quarter Whoever it was that said "field goals" is exactly right I think.

Bengals 27 Steelers 17

Tied 17 all Palmer leads them down the field for a Shayne Graham field goeal with 1:13 left in the game. Pitt makes it just into Bengals territory when Ben is picked on the out route by Deltha O'neal who returns the pick for a score

I look forward to watching the gutshot look on Chinface as the reality sets in that it's over....again....for him.

Steelers all trhe way baby all the way let`s break somo other legs in Indy

Fuc......COLTS

STEELERS 27 COLTS 24

Fuk Colts??? Fuk you! Ever heard of the smack board @$$hole?