Steelers vs. Bengals NFL Betting Picks - Preview

Steelers vs. Bengals NFL Betting Picks: A win over the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this season put the Cincinnati Bengals on the national radar as legitimate playoff contenders. Another victory over the defending Super Bowl champs will put them in the driver's seat to win the AFC North for the first time in four years.

The Bengals look to sweep the regular-season series over the Steelers for the first time in more than a decade when they visit Heinz Field on Sunday.

Cincinnati has won six of seven, including a 23-20 upset of Pittsburgh on Sept. 27 on a touchdown pass from Carson Palmer to Andre Caldwell with 14 seconds remaining. The Steelers haven't lost since their visit to Cincinnati, and are tied with the Bengals for the division lead with 6-2 records.

While a Bengals win this weekend would give them a sweep of the season series for the first time since 1998, and put them in control of the North, Palmer tried to keep this matchup in perspective.

"It's a game," he said. "We're not going to look too far ahead of who's on the schedule, who's left, worry about playoff implications, worry about home-field advantage. We don't need to be thinking about any of those things. ... They're in a must-win situation. We feel we're in a must-win situation."

Pittsburgh has regrouped by winning five in a row since that loss - aided by the return of Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu, who missed the earlier matchup with the Bengals due to a knee injury. The Steelers are 4-0 this season with Polamalu, including a 28-10 win at Denver on Monday night in which he intercepted his third pass.

"To me he's one of the best players in the game, and when you add that guy you're only going to get better," Palmer said.

Palmer and the Bengals are looking to improve to 5-0 against division rivals after beating Baltimore 17-7 last Sunday. Palmer threw for 224 yards and one touchdown while Cedric Benson recorded his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season, finishing with 117 yards and a score on 21 carries.

The defense, meanwhile, gave up a season-low 215 yards total offense. More at CBS Sports Read More!

NFL Betting odds for Week 7

NFL odds for Week 7 are posted already so there's no time for standing around. Let's make our picks!

Indianapolis Colts @ St. Louis Rams
Sunday, October 25, 1:00 p.m. ET
Online betting favorite: Colts -13

Remember what New England did to Tennessee last week? Expect more of the same in St. Louis this week. Arguably, the Colts are playing better football than the Patriots right now and, arguably, the Rams are even worse than the Titans. That means we could have a full-fledged massacre on our hands. The Colts pass the ball better than pretty much everyone, especially with Peyton Manning having perhaps his best season to date through five games. They'll torch the Rams secondary without trouble. Also, Indy defends the pass well and the Rams can't pass, so St. Louis won't score much. Pick Indy to cover with confidence -- even if the spread rises to 15 points.

Betting services recommend: Colts -13

Chicago Bears @ Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, October 25, 4:15 p.m. ET
Online betting favorite: Bengals -1.5

Are the Bengals still for real or is a slide on the horizon? The Bears are a tough matchup for the Cardiac Cats this week. Chicago stops the run well, even without Brian Urlacher, so Cedric Benson may struggle a bit. That will put pressure on Carson Palmer and the passing game to put points on the board, and I'm not convinced they're up to the task. Palmer wasn't too effective over the last couple of weeks despite being sacked just twice over that span. He also seems to lack a true vertical threat; even Chad Ochocinco doesn't get separation like he used to. Also, with defensive end Antwan Odom gone for the year with a torn Achilles, Cincy's pass rush suffers dramatically. If they can't get to Jay Cutler, the Bears may pass on the Bengals all day. Make the Bears your NFL picks this week.

Betting services recommend: Bears +1.5 Read More!