Both the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers are dealing with key injuries coming into this playoff game. Since the Bengal starting quarterback Andy Dalton has been sidelined due to injury, his backup A.J. McCarron has a winning record of 2 and 1 completing 66 percent (76 of 115) of his passes for 832 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions. Facing the Steelers, he completed 22 of 33 passes for 280 yards, 2 TDs and 2 picks. If Pittsburgh running back DeAngelo Williams can’t return due to injury than that will make the Steelers a one-demission offense.
NFL Betting Odds
| Pittsburgh Steelers | -3 | ML -155 | O45.5 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +3 | ML +135 | U45.5 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers |
Saturday, January 9, 2016 – 8:15 pm ET | Cincinnati Bengals |
||
 |
Avg. Yds. (Rank) | Category | Avg. Yds. (Rank) |  |
| 287.7 (3rd) | Pass Off. | 245.2 (15th) | ||
| 107.8 (16th) | Rush Off. | 112.8 (13th) | ||
| 10-6 | 271.9 (30th) | Pass Def. | 248.5 (20th) | 12-4 |
| 2nd AFC NORTH (3-3) |
91.2 (5th) | Rush Def. | 92.3 (6th) | 1st AFC NORTH (5-1) |
The Cincinnati running game has a powerful on two combination n Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard. In the last part of the season, Jeremy Hill has taken over as he has carried 16+ times in 5 of Cincinnati’s last 6 games, averaging 65 yards and .7 TDs over that span.
A.J. McCarron has a solid group of wide outs to throw to headed by A.J. Green. In his last encounters, Green really came on at the end, scoring seven times. He finished the regular season with 86 catches on 132 targets for 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Pittsburgh offense goes through quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Since week 12 Big Ben has tossed 11 scores but with 9 interceptions. Roethlisberger has passed two picks in each of his last three games and has six interceptions in three games against two potential opponents, Cincinnati and Denver. If running back DeAngelo is out, the Steelers will go with Fitzgerald Toussaint and Jordan Todman as the running backs. More of, making their offense one-demission and the Bengal defense will take full advantage of this scenario getting to Roethlisberger one way or another.
Selection: Cincinnati +$135
