Steelers confident of wildcard win

The NFL has reached the play-offs and of the four wildcard games this weekend, Sunday's match-up between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers could be the tightest game. Both teams finished the season 11-5 and the Bengals have home advantage but the Steelers, with more recent play-off experience, shade favouritism with bet365, who make them 19/20 (1.95) to win, giving up three points to their opponents.

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The Bengals are in the play-offs for the first time in 15 years after an excellent season, but having lost their last two games of the season, to Buffalo and Kansas City, there are doubts about whether they will be able to stand the barrage they will face from the Steelers defence this weekend. That said, they did win at Pittsburgh this year but were also beaten at home by the Steelers, who have won the last four times in Cincinnati.

The Steelers won their last four games to make the play-offs and experience points to them coming through, having been to the play-offs many more times in recent years than the Bengals and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, should be much more confident than last season when he was appearing in the play-offs as a rookie. A niggling thumb injury has hampered his passing ability but he is not making mistakes.

In defence, Pittsburgh are giving up just 3.4 yards per carry while Cincinnati's defence looked leaky in their last two games of the regular season, when they gave up 37 points in both. It would be foolish to write off the Bengals, though, especially as Carson Palmer threw for a team record 32 touchdown passes in 2005. However, they are vulnerable to interceptions and that could prove costly.

Cambers' Call: Pittsburgh Steelers -3pts to win at Cincinnati Bengals - 19/20 (1.95)

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.