AP
Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) runs the ball against Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Margus Hunt (99) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016 | 2 a.m.
Week 2: Bengals at Steelers
- Which side would you take in Bengals at Steelers? (Poll consensus this year: 0-1)
- Steelers minus-3.5 — 65.4%
- Bengals plus-3.5 — 34.6%
This poll is closed, see Full Results »
Note: This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.
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AFC North division rivals that are two of the top seven teams in odds to win the Super Bowl collide in the premier 10 a.m. kickoff today.
The Las Vegas Sun sports staff is conflicted on the matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers (minus-3.5) and the Cincinnati Bengals, with a pair of writers lining up on opposite sides as their best bet. In total, three of the four competitors used one of their six weekly wagers off of the South Point betting board on the game.
Check below to see who took which side along with full week 2 picks for the Sun’s handicapping contest.
Ray Brewer (2013 co-champion)
2016 Record: 4-2
Lions minus-6 vs. Titans
Texans minus-2.5 vs. Chiefs
49ers plus-13.5 at Panthers
Redskins minus-2.5 vs. Cowboys
Vikings plus-2.5 vs. Packers
Best Bet (0-1): Steelers minus-3.5 The Pittsburgh offense, with a healthy Big Ben leading the charge at quarterback, will be too much for the Bengals to overcome. Roethlisberger passed for 300 yards and DeAngelo Williams rushed for 143 last week in a 38-point effort on the road in the season opener. There’s no love against the Bengals, meaning the Steelers will make another statement on Sunday. Come Monday, they should be the favorites to win the Super Bowl.
Jesse Granger
2016 Record: 4-2
Chiefs plus-2.5 at Texans
Steelers minus-3.5 vs. Bengals
49ers plus-13.5 at Panthers
Buccaneers plus-6.5 at Cardinals
Packers minus-2.5 at Vikings
Best Bet (0-1): Broncos minus-6 vs. Colts The Broncos’ stellar pass rush battered Cam Newton on opening night and that was against a good Panthers offensive line. The Colts already have one of the weakest lines in the league, and without starting guard Jack Mewhort, it's even worse. Luck is dealing with a banged up shoulder and that’s not good against Von Miller and company.
Case Keefer (2012, 2014 & 2015 champion, 2013 co-champion)
2016 Record: 3-3
Dolphins plus-6.5 at Patriots
Giants minus-4.5 vs. Saints
Cardinals minus-6.5 vs. Buccaneers
Rams plus-6.5 vs. Seahawks
Colts plus-6 at Broncos
Best Bet (1-0): Bengals plus-3.5 at Steelers The Bengals are only getting 1.5 more points on the betting line than they did in January’s wild card matchup against the Steelers, when they started A.J. McCarron. It’s easy to forget but Cincinnati’s offense was even more explosive than Pittsburgh’s at full strength behind quarterback Andy Dalton last year, and was impressive in gaining 6.8 yards per play against a stingy Jets’ defense in week 1.
Taylor Bern
2016 Record: 2-4
Ravens vs. Browns under 42.5
Buccaneers plus-6.5 at Cardinals
Falcons vs. Raiders under 49.5
Jaguars vs. Chargers under 47
Packers minus-2.5 at Vikings
Best Bet (0-1): Eagles plus-3 at Bears I'm already worried that Carson Wentz is the next Joe Flacco, a D-IAA quarterback I didn't like and predicted would fail who turned out to be pretty good (but not elite). As a result, I'm going with the reverse jinx against my favorite team, the Chicago Bears, and if Wentz delivers again, then at least I'll get a win in this contest.
Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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