NFL best bets and predictions Week 12
It’s too soon to draw conclusions on Kenny Pickett, who’s stumbling through his second season as the Steelers’ quarterback, but the next seven games will tell a lot about where he’s headed.
Time had run out on Matt Canada as Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator, and that much was obvious long before Tuesday, when Canada was fired. The Steelers rank 28th in total offense (280 yards per game) and offensive scoring (15 ppg). Pickett has only six touchdown passes through 10 games. Somehow, the team is 6-4 despite its offensive futility.
The Bengals (5-5) have a bigger problem at quarterback in the wake of Joe Burrow’s season-ending wrist injury. Jake Browning has no experience as a starter, and Cincinnati is 2-5 in games Burrow has not started since 2020.
The Steelers have been outgained in all 10 games this season, something that should change Sunday at Cincinnati. The Bengals have allowed 284.3 passing yards in the past three games and their run defense ranks near the bottom of the league. The opponent and the switch to quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan as the play-caller should spark the Pittsburgh offense.