In Week 9 of the NFL season, the Cincinnati Bengals will face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night in the only primetime game featuring two 6‑2 teams. The contest carries first‑place implications for the AFC North, as both clubs have won four straight and are coming off a bye week.

Recent performance

The Steelers earned a 30‑27 victory over the Bengals in Week 3, with Aaron Rodgers outplaying Joe Burrow. Since then, Pittsburgh has continued to improve, posting a 6‑2 record and extending its winning streak to four games. The Bengals, meanwhile, also sit at 6‑2 after a successful trip to Spain, where they defeated the Atlanta Falcons.

Head‑to‑head history

Burrow is 4‑4 in his career against the Steelers, indicating a balanced rivalry. The Bengals enter the matchup as 3½‑point favorites, according to the latest betting line.

Betting outlook

Pro Picks projects a close contest, noting that the Bengals have a slight edge but that the Steelers remain a formidable opponent at home. The overall betting record for Pro Picks this season stands at 90‑46‑1 straight up and 77‑57‑3 against the spread, with a recent week‑by‑week record of 14‑1 straight up and 10‑5 against the spread.

Other NFL picks

In addition to the Bengals‑Steelers game, Pro Picks offers selections for several other Week 9 matchups:

• New England at Detroit – Lions minus 2½.
• Buffalo at New York Jets – Bills minus 8½.
• Carolina at New Orleans – Saints minus 2½.
• Houston at Cleveland – Texans minus 4½.
• Jacksonville at Tennessee – Jaguars minus 10½.
• Kansas City at Atlanta – Chiefs minus 3.
• Miami at Indianapolis – Colts minus 3½.
• Minnesota at Green Bay – Packers minus 3½.
• Los Angeles Rams at Arizona – Rams minus 9½.
• Seattle at Las Vegas – Seahawks minus 6½.
• San Francisco at Dallas – 49ers minus 4½.
• Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore – Ravens minus 4½.

Key injuries and notes

Both teams are relatively healthy heading into the game. The Steelers will rely on Rodgers’ veteran poise, while the Bengals count on Burrow’s consistency. No major injuries have been reported that would significantly alter the projected line.

Conclusion

Sunday night promises a tightly contested battle for AFC North supremacy. While the Bengals hold a modest betting advantage, the Steelers’ home‑field advantage and recent success make this a game that could swing either way. Fans of both clubs should expect a hard‑fought, high‑scoring affair.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.