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The AFC North once again has multiple entries into the playoffs for another season. This time it's the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers and as if written perfectly for the ratings, they face off in the first round of the Wild Card playoffs. Even better is that they are entering the matchup tied for the season at 1-1, making this the final game between the two and the tie breaker. Whoever wins will have another week of playoffs and the bragging rights all offseason.
With our friends at BookMaker sending us the betting lines and over/under for the game, you can have the last laugh over fans of both teams if you can win some money.
The oddsmakers have this one even closer than the other AFC Wild Card playoff game between the Chiefs and Texans. At 2 points, they have this as close to a pick em game as possible. However, as with all odds, the home team is given an automatic 3 points when the oddsmakers are setting up their betting lines initially, really making the Bengals 5 point underdogs without the extra help.
BookMaker seems to agree with the Baltimore Beatdown staff as most of us here have the Steelers winning the game. Though unlike the betting lines, all of the staff here has the game won by at least 7 points and most by at least two scores. Maybe we are underestimating A.J. McCarron and the Bengals, so it will be interesting to see if it is as close as the oddsmakers think or if either team can get well ahead and stay there.
BookMaker does seem to think that the game will have a decent score as the over/under for the game is 44.5 points. That lines up surprisingly well with what the staff here thinks as just about everyone has the game in the mid-40s as well. The Steelers have an explosive offense while the Bengals have a solid defense. It should allow the score to go up a bit, but still keep it relatively under control.
Even if you don't bet with real money, it'll be fun to make a little bet with yourself using these lines to see just how good you are at picking. Write down who you would pick given these odds in the comments and let's see how you do!