Dec 17, 2016 5 min read

The Cincinnati Bengals are a solid 22-8-1 at Paul Brown Stadium since the start of the 2013 season.

Three of those losses have come against the Pittsburgh Steelers, including two last season.

The Steelers have flat-out owned the Bengals in Cincinnati.

Bengals cornerback Adam Jones was asked to explain why that has happened.

“I don’t know,” Jones replied. “I’ll let you guys figure out why.”

The answer is simple: Ben Roethlisberger.

While Roethlisberger has had his struggles on the road in recent years, that never seems to be the case in Cincinnati.

The Steelers are 20-7, including the playoffs, against the Bengals with Roethlisberger at quarterback. That includes a robust 12-2 record in Cincinnati.

There’s a good chance the Steelers will do it again today.

While the Bengals need a win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, the Steelers need a victory to keep their postseason chances alive as well. Cincinnati’s only playoff scenario includes the Steelers somehow losing to the Cleveland Browns in Week 17, so it’s highly unlikely, to say the least.

The Steelers should end any such nonsensical talk coming out of Cincinnati’s locker room.

Pittsburgh went into Buffalo last week and played shutdown defense against the NFL’s top rushing team. The Steelers did so without two of their top defensive linemen.

That was impressive.

Rookie Javon Hargrave will be back at nose tackle for this game after sitting out last week.

Equally as impressive was the way the offensive line and rushing attack took over against the Bills.

Running back Le’Veon Bell is on an incredible streak and there’s a good chance it will continue in this game. Nine of Bell’s 13 career 100-yard rushing games have come on the road.

So while Roethlisberger sometimes struggles in road games, Bell is often at his best away from Heinz Field.

And the recent reliance on that running game – Bell has four-straight 100-yard games – is a reason why the Steelers have re-established themselves as one of the AFC’s best teams.

The Bengals have allowed 937 receiving yards to opposing tight ends, the most in the NFL. And the Steelers had both Jesse James and Xavier Grimble catch TD passes against the Bengals in their previous meeting Sept. 18, a 24-16 Steelers’ victory.

Ladarius Green could be a big factor for the Steelers in this one.

Cincinnati allows 119 rushing yards per game and will have a difficult time stopping Bell.

The Steelers are 3-point favorites and should cover that spread.

Take Pittsburgh, 27-17

Carolina (plus 4)

at Washington

The Redskins’ passing game will control this one.

Take Washington, 28-23

Tennessee (plus 6)

at Kansas City

This could be closer than many people think but the home team wins.

Take Tennessee to cover in a 24-20 loss

Oakland (pick)

at San Diego

Derek Carr’s finger injury makes this dicey but Oakland needs a win.

Take Oakland, 27-22

Detroit (plus 5)

at New York Giants

Letdown time for the Giants? Lions will have a tough time winning outdoors.

Take the Giants, 24-17

Tampa Bay (plus 9)

at Dallas

The Bucs have been too hot for this spread to remain this many points.

Take Tampa Bay to cover in a 27-20 loss

Philadelphia (plus 6)

at Baltimore

Another spread that might be too high, particularly against with offensively challenged Ravens team.

Take Philadelphia to cover in a 20-17 loss

Green Bay (minus 4 1/2)

at Chicago

The Packers have worked themselves back into playoff contention and aren’t about to blow it here.

Take Green Bay, 26-17

New England (minus 3)

at Denver

Look for LeGarrette Blount to run roughshod over the undersized Denver defense.

Take New England, 23-16

Indianapolis (plus 4 1/2)

at Minnesota

The Colts couldn’t win at home against Houston, making it unlikely they’ll solve Minnesota’s defense on the road.

Take Minnesota, 21-16

Jacksonville (plus 6)

at Houston

Houston takes another step toward winning the AFC South.

Take Houston, 24-17

San Francisco (plus 14)

at Atlanta

San Francisco is playing out the string, hoping Cleveland wins so the 49ers can get the top draft pick.

Take Atlanta, 34-17

New Orleans (plus 3 1/2)

at Arizona

Drew Brees has back-to-back three-interceptions games.

Take Arizona, 28-23

Cleveland (plus 10 1/2)

at Buffalo

Tough to pick the Browns in anything at this point.

Take Buffalo, 27-14

Last Week: 9-5 ATS; 10-4 Straight up

Overall: 91-94-4 ATS; 112-76-2 Straight up

Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.