The 2022 NFL season is finally here and the Week 1 schedule is chock full of exciting showdowns. A pair of AFC North rivals meet head-to-head as the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Cincinnati Bengals. This is a matchup that could make a huge impact on each team's chances of making the playoffs.
The Bengals are still riding high after winning the AFC Championship last season and have their eyes set on capturing a second straight divisional title this fall. Meanwhile, the Steelers enter a new era with veteran quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, but still possess a stellar defense on the other side.
Should Cincinnati really be favored by nearly a touchdown at Paycor Stadium? Does Pittsburgh have any chance of grabbing an edge in the division with an upset victory? Here's what projection models and experts across the industry have to say about the Steelers vs Bengals Week 1 matchup.
Steelers vs Bengals Projections
ESPN FPI:'Bengals (78.0%)
numberFire:'Bengals (72.0%)
FiveThirtyEight:'Bengals (68%)
Betting Favorite:'Bengals (-6.5)
Projected Winner: Bengals (4)
Steelers vs Bengals Expert Picks
ESPN Experts:'Bengals (8), Steelers (1)
Sports Illustrated Experts:'Bengals (4), Steelers (1)
CBS Sports Experts:'Bengals (7), Steelers (1)
Expert Totals:'Bengals (19), Steelers (3)
There's not many people backing head coach Mike Tomlin's team in Week 1. Only three of the 22 experts chose Pittsburgh here, which lines up with what the betting markets are saying.
The projection models are backing up those picks, too. None of them give the Steelers above a 32% chance of taking down the Bengals on the road.
Divisional matchups can be tough to predict, so fans should be in for a thriller on Sunday afternoon.