On January 8th, 2006, the Steelers will go into Cincinnati to play the Bengals in an AFC North playoffs showdown. The Steelers have dominated the AFC North over the past decade but yielded the division title to the Bengals this season.

Both teams finished the season 11-5 but because the Bengals have a better division record, they won the division. With the Bengals having home field advantage, they should be favorites, right? Wrong. The Steelers are giving up 3.5 points. This is all based on the public perception that these Steelers are great from them going to the AFC Championship game last season. The only thing keeping the Steelers from having a better record this season was the injury to Big Ben Roethlisberger. The public knows this.

Normal football sports handicapping suggest betting on home underdogs in a division rivalry game. The public is not looking at the Bengals home field advantage and this can spell a lot of trouble to the public.

The Bengals lost the first game in this matchup this season by two TDs. The media portrayed this matchup as the litle brother-big brother rivalry where the big brother always wins. The second game between the two teams showed the Bengals dominating offensively.

The Steelers dominate with their rush defense but the Bengals strength is their passing game which will give the Bengals the edge.

I suggest taking the 3.5 points with the Bengals as our free pro football picks.