The second Saturday game of the final weekend of the NFL regular season could be one with big implications for both teams. It could also be one that only matters to one of the teams.
By the time the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals kick off their Week 18 game, the Steelers will know whether they have a shot to win the division title. Either the Baltimore Ravens lost to the Cleveland Browns in their matchup earlier in the day – giving Pittsburgh room to secure the AFC North – or the Ravens won and the division race is over.
Regardless of the outcome of the first game, the Bengals are facing a must-win situation as they fight for the AFC’s final playoff spot. A victory puts pressure on both the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins for their respective games on Sunday, while a loss drops Cincinnati to 8-9 and out of the playoff race.
Here’s how to watch Saturday’s second NFL game in Week 18
Where to watch Steelers vs. Bengals game today
- Location: Pittsburgh
- Venue: Acrisure Stadium
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Game: Steelers vs. Bengals
What channel is Steelers vs. Bengals?
- TV channel: ESPN; ABC
The Disney family of networks will carry the Steelers vs. Bengals Week 18 matchup, so viewers can watch on ESPN or ABC.
Steelers vs. Bengals live stream free
- Livestream: Fubo
Football fans can watch the Steelers host the Benglas in the two teams’ regular-season finale with a subscription to Fubo, which is offering a free trial.
Steelers vs. Bengals predictions
- Bengals 34, Steelers 29
The Bengals have been better defensively in the four weeks since they allowed 44 points to the Steelers in a Week 13 loss. Part of that success has been Cincinnati’s ability to generate turnovers; the Bengals top the league with 12 takeaways in that span. Safety Geno Stone has three of them.
Great defensive stretches like that can’t last forever though. The Steelers have struggled in recent weeks with matchups against strong defenses and will be looking to break out ahead of the playoffs. Pittsburgh likely won’t reach the high total it did in the first clash between these two teams, but it also won’t be held back from solid offensive output.
In a regular-season finale that could mean a lot for both teams (and definitely will mean a lot for the Bengals) Cincinnati will again rely on its greatest strength – its high-powered passing offense – to win.
This could be a back-and-forth affair if both teams have something to play for. But the Bengals should ultimately come out on top as the more desperate team fighting for their playoff lives.
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Steelers vs. Bengals odds
The Bengals are favorites to defeat the Steelers, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Not interested in this game? Check out expert picks and best bets for every NFL game this week.
- Spread: Bengals (-2.5)
- Moneyline: Bengals (-140); Steelers (+115)
- Over/under: 48
Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered.
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FEELING LUCKY?Here are the best parlay bets and odds for NFL games this week
Steelers vs. Bengals play-by-play
You can follow the Steelers vs. Bengals play-by-play here.
NFL playoff picture
Here’s how the full playoff picture stacks up before the final week of the regular season:
AFC
- Kansas City Chiefs (15-1, AFC West winners)*
- Buffalo Bills (13-3, AFC East winners)*
- Baltimore Ravens (11-5, AFC North leaders)*
- Houston Texans (9-7, AFC South winners)*
- Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, wild card No. 1)*
- Los Angeles Chargers (10-6, wild card No. 2)*
- Denver Broncos (9-7, wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Cincinnati Bengals (8-8), Miami Dolphins (8-8)
NFC
- Detroit Lions (14-2, NFC North leaders)*
- Philadelphia Eagles (13-3, NFC East winners)*
- Los Angeles Rams (10-6, NFC West winners)*
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7, NFC South leaders)
- Minnesota Vikings (14-2, wild card No. 1)*
- Washington Commanders (11-5, wild card No. 2)*
- Green Bay Packers (11-5, wild card No. 3)*