I thought defending Super Bowl champions were suppose to be overvalued in the following season, but that does not seem to be the case with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In their opening tilt against the Miami Dolphins, Bill Cowher's troops were -4 ?. Yet, all the action went the fish's way on game week and the game closed at black and gold -1. It wouldn't hurt to do a little on these guys.



This past Monday they went to Jacksonville to play a team that was 12-4 last year with Big Ben back in the saddle. Pittsburgh was -2 ? and promptly got shutout 9-0.

Usually when a team plays poorly on the road in front of the whole world, they storm back with a vengeance the next week and plat lights out.

The line opened at -3 at the , but there has been a boatload of Bengal happening in Vegas and the line is down at a single point right now. Could it be the questionable status of Roethlisberger or do fans feel that Cinci is unstoppable with a healthy Carson Palmer?

Marvin Lewis's boys are 3-1 in their past 4 trips to Heinz Field and they have been cover machines starting right at preseason. They are 6-0 in August and September, although KC and Cleveland are hardly world beaters.

CIN are 11-1-1 ATS in their last 13 road games.

Over is 7-2 in CIN last 9 games as an underdog.

CIN are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 vs. AFC North.

Over is 23-7-1 in PIT last 31 home games.

PIT are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 vs. AFC North.

The Bengals have some issues on the offensive line with Jones and Brahm and a very nervous Carson Palmer who will be thinking about last year's career threatening injury. On the other side of the coin, they have talent everywhere including the kicking game.

If a field goal decides this one, 84.17 is the Percentage of field goals made by Bengals kicker Shayne Graham (101 for 120), second most accurate of all kickers in NFL history, behind Dallas? Mike Vanderjagt (219 of 250, .87.60 percent).

Bob Acton