Cote: Can Flacco and Cincy offense solve Pittsburgh’s defense Thursday? Our pick
NFL WEEK 7 THURSDAY PICK
STEELERS (4-1) at BENGALS (2-4)
Line: PIT by 5 1/2.
Cote’s pick: PIT, 27-16.
TV: 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Prime Video.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin openly criticized the Browns for their in-season trade of Joe Flacco to the division-rival Bengals, saying, “It was shocking to me. It doesn’t make sense to trade a quarterback you think enough of to make your opening-day starter to a division opponent that’s hurting in that area.” He’s right. But watch that not hurt Tomlin’s team in Thursday night’s NFL Week 7 kickoff. Flacco is an aging, immobile QB — statue with a moving arm — playing behind arguably the league’s worst O-line in Cincy. And Pitt has a big-sacking defense that plundered Cleveland’s Dillon Gabriel six times last week. Bengals’ strength is WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins ... but Steelers counter with probably NFL’s best trio of cover corners in Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay and Jalen Ramsey, the ex-Dolphin. Oh, and Aaron Rodgers is happy to know Cincy’s top pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is iffy to play on a short week with a balky back. Steelers have won three straight trips and 10 of past 12 to Cincy and should renew that ownership here. Gals tempt with the points, but Pitt has the mismatches in its favor to take the night by at least a touch as it runs away with the AFC North. Bottom line? Old loses to really old in the battle of vintage QBs.
Note: Betting line courtesy ESPNBet as of midday Wednesday.
This story was originally published October 15, 2025 at 2:32 PM.
