The NFC North gets the spotlight in Week 3 as the 2-0 Bengals hit the road to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers. 

It’s been smooth sailing for Joe Burrow and Co. as the Bengals’ revamped defensive line is paying its dues, and then some, which spells trouble for a struggling Steelers front that’s been reshuffling its rotation because of injury.

Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers offense still haven’t put together a complete game, accounting for only two touchdowns through Weeks 1 and 2 combined.

Cincinnati is a 3.5-point favorite at FanDuel Sportsbook and is looking to cover on the road for the second straight week. 

Bengals vs. Steelers prediction, best bet

Before crowning the Bengals defense legit after just two games, they certainly pass the eye test on paper.

Heading into this division matchup, Al Golden’s front unit has effectively grounded opposing running backs, holding the fourth-best run defense DVOA alongside a 32.3% stuff rate, according to FTN Fantasy.

Former Giant and offseason addition Dexter Lawrence delivered big moments during Cincy’s Week 2 win over Houston, completely neutralizing David Montgomery and Woody Marks in the backfield.

This is worrisome for Mike McCarthy’s offense, which managed only a field goal last week in their 17-point loss in Foxborough. Rodgers was sacked four times and fumbled twice as Spencer Anderson struggled to contain the Patriots’ pass rush. 

With Anderson now landing on the injury report, Pittsburgh’s offensive line is forced into another rotation shift just three weeks in.

If there is a silver lining for Rodgers, it lies with Pat Freiermuth, as Cincy’s defense has surrendered a league-high 200 receiving yards to tight ends through two games.

Betting on the NFL?

This would normally be a classic bounce-back spot for a Mike Tomlin-led squad against a division foe, but Cincy’s newlook defense paired with a healthy Joe Burrow under center should be enough to pull away. 

Burrow and the Bengals are unbeaten in his last three road starts in Pittsburgh, and we already know what he and playmakers Ja’Mar Chase, Tee Higgins and Chase Brown bring to the table.

If he gets time in the pocket, Pittsburgh’s secondary is allowing 8.0 yards per pass attempt. Chase will likely get most of the attention, so I’m backing Higgins to go Over his receiving prop.

He has historically torched Pittsburgh and comes into the game as the team’s leading receiver, averaging 77 yards over the first two games. 

The Play: SGP (+170, FanDuel): Tee Higgins Over 53.5 receiving yards (-114) + Bengals moneyline (-174)

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Mike Turay is a sports journalist and editor who closely follows the NBA, NFL, college sports and UFC. He has demonstrated expertise in both NBA and NFL player prop bets for nearly three years. Mike is also highly knowledgeable about the sportsbook offer landscape, frequently trying and reviewing the latest apps and sites.