After an embarrassing loss that ended with their starting quarterback getting his own helmet swung at his head, the Pittsburgh Steelers desperately need a win in Week 12. The team can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye if they can’t beat the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday afternoon.

It will be a significant upset if the Steelers don’t take care of business on the road. Pittsburgh is a 6.5-point favorite in Cincinnati, according to the latest betting line at OddsShark. The total is 39.

The Steelers will be shorthanded against their AFC North rivals. Center Maurice Pouncey has been suspended for his role in last week’s scuffle between Myles Garrett and Mason Rudolph. JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Conner, Pittsburgh’s top playmakers, are uncertain to play after leaving the team’s Week 11 loss against the Cleveland Browns with injuries.

Don’t count on the Steelers’ offense producing many points if Pittsburgh is missing multiple key starters. The Steelers rank 27th in yards per play, and they haven’t scored 30 points in any game during the 2019 NFL season.

Rudolph was exposed against Cleveland. The quarterback threw four interceptions in addition to being sacked four times as Pittsburgh was held to seven points. Rudolph still hasn’t totaled more than 251 passing yards in a game.

That level of offensive ineptitude doesn’t necessarily mean Cincinnati will be competitive. The Bengals are one of three NFL teams that average fewer than 15 points per game. Cincinnati has scored 17 points or fewer in five straight games. The offense isn’t getting any better with Ryan Finley taking over for Andy Dalton at starting quarterback.

The rookie has thrown for just 282 yards in two games, completing 47.5% of his passes. Finley has one touchdown pass, two interceptions and a 52.8 passer rating against the Baltimore Ravens and Oakland Raiders.

Pittsburgh has a better defense than both Baltimore and Oakland. The unit is up to fifth in opponents’ yards per play. The Steelers only surrendered 293 total yards on 4.3 yards per play in their 21-7 loss in Cleveland.

Finley is almost certain to struggle in Pittsburgh. The Steelers can cover the spread if the defense creates points.

It’s what the defense did during Pittsburgh’s five-game winning streak that temporarily put them above .500 and in the playoff picture. The Steelers had a defensive touchdown in Week 6, Week 9 and Week 10. Pittsburgh ranks fourth in sacks and second in takeaways.

Only two teams have lost more fumbles than Cincinnati. The Bengals might have the NFL’s worst starting quarterback.

Cincinnati has lost four straight games by a touchdown or more. The organization has no motivation to put a winner on the field.

This is a must-win game for the Steelers. Beating the NFL’s lone winless team by a touchdown shouldn’t be a problem.

Prediction: Pittsburgh over Cincinnati, 20-10

Jaylen Samuels Pittsburgh Steelers
Jaylen Samuels #38 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball against the New England Patriots in the third quarter during the game at Heinz Field on December 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
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