The starting quarterbacks are going to be backups Jake Browning and Mason Rudolph. Ja'Marr Chase is out.

So why go Over the total?

Browning has been sneaky good and both defenses will be missing key players. The Steelers will be without their starting safeties, Minkah Fitzpatrick - one of the best in the league - and Damontae Kazee. Browning has thrown for 953 yards while accounting for seven touchdowns in Cincinnati's last three games.

The Steelers gave up 30 points to the Colts last week and 21 points to the Patriots two weeks ago. New England is the lowest-scoring team in the NFL, averaging 13.3 points.

So I see the Bengals getting their share of points. The Steelers should get theirs, too.

Pittsburgh piled up a season-high 421 yards of offense when the teams met four weeks ago. Now the Bengals will be minus nose tackle D.J. Reader, one of the top run defenders in the league.

I'm not a fan of Rudolph. But the Steelers should be able to run effectively on the Bengals using Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris to set Rudolph up for success. Rudolph has three excellent receiving options with Diontae Johnson, George Pickens and tight end Pat Friermuth. The Steelers are throwing more to the middle of the field since they got rid of offensive coordinator Matt Canada. That bodes well for Friermuth.