Week 17 betting preview: Steelers now 14.5-point favorites over the Bengals

The Pittsburgh Steelers will need to avoid upset against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17 and hope the Cleveland Browns can cause one if they are to make this playoff this year. But while the Steelers remain substantial favorites for their matchup at Heinz Field, both the bookmakers and the betting public appear to have little faith that the Baltimore Ravens will lose on Sunday.

While Pittsburgh have held strong as 14.5-point favorites for the game since Monday from an initial line of 17-points, the Browns have seen only a slight change to their opening spread of 7-points, and are currently listed as 5.5-point underdogs with most sportsbooks.

From a starting totals position of 48-points, the Steelers game is now showing at 45.5-points and a slightly absurd opening moneyline offering of -2000 has been replaced by a range of prices from -1100 to -850. Those looking to back an outright victory for Cleveland will find them available at a best price of +230.

Those of you who believe a playoff appearance is still on the cards for Pittsburgh this year might be interested to know that the Steelers can currently be backed at a best price of 50/1 to win Super Bowl LIII. A figure that is sure to fall dramatically on Sunday should things go their way.

According to Oddsshark.com, Pittsburgh is 2-3-1 against the spread in their last six games and 8-6-1 ATS overall on the season. The total has under in four of the Steelers last six games and the over is 9-6 so far in 2018. Pittsburgh is 4-1 ATS in their last five matchups with Cincinnati and the total has gone under in four of the Steelers last six games against them.

With it looking increasing likely that James Conner will be back in the lineup on Sunday, we will be backing him to resume his place as the player who has opened the scoring for Pittsburgh most frequently in 2018 on Sunday. He should be available at expected odds of around 4/1 for first game touchdown and 2/1 for first team touchdown.