Week 13 Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers prediction and fantasy outlook feat. Ja'Marr Chase

With the playoff race heating up, the Pittsburgh Steelers will travel to the state of Ohio for the second straight week, as they play the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13 of the NFL season.

Both teams are coming from losses in their previous games. Although the Bengals had the bye in Week 12, this isn't going to represent much of a rest advantage, as the Steelers played on Thursday Night Football against the Cleveland Browns and had more than the common seven days.

A loss would basically end Cincinnati's playoff chances in 2024, while Pittsburgh needs to win to keep itself in the AFC North race against the Baltimore Ravens.

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Steelers vs Bengals prediction

Mike Tomlin's team has a positive record, but their recent loss to the Cleveland Browns shows that there are no foregone conclusions with them. Their three most recent wins came in one-possession games, and this has been a staple of Pittsburgh in recent years.

As much as one can complain about the way that Pittsburgh wins games, this is another season where they've been extremely competitive. The Steelers were 4-2 with Justin Fields as their starter, and since Russell Wilson took over, they're now 4-1.

Their formula is clear: win games in a gritty way. They have the eighth best-rushing offense in the league, averaging 135.2 yards per game, while their defense allows just 16.9 points per game, the third-best mark in the league.

On the other hand, Zac Taylor's team has been explosive, leading the league in passing yards per game (262.7) and scoring 27 points per game, the sixth-best mark in the league. However, their defense has been struggling massively, allowing 26.9 points per game, the fifth-worst mark in the NFL.

If the Bengals are able to stamp their mark early in the game, a win doesn't feel impossible. The Steelers don't have enough offensive juice to throw punches with Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, and although their 4-7 record isn't impressive, the matchup feels positive for the home team.

Prediction: Steelers 16 - Bengals 23

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Steelers vs Bengals fantasy outlook

Cincinnati is struggling, but Ja'Marr Chase is a strong contender for Offensive Player of the Year. The receiver leads the PPR leagues in scoring and is projected to amass 17.3 fantasy points on Sunday, even if he plays against a strong defensive team.

The expectation is, with the visitors dominating the opposing running offenses, Cincinnati is expected to throw the ball a lot, helping Chase's fantasy cause.

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Where to watch Steelers vs Bengals on cable

Viewers can watch the AFC North showdown at the time and channel given below:

• Day & Date: Sunday, Dec. 01, 2024
• Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
• Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
• TV: CBS

Those who wish to stream can do so on Paramount Plus.