NFL underdog report: Steelers, Vikings battle division foes in Week 18

Darnold threw for a career-high 337 yards and three scores in a 27-25 victory over Green Bay on Sunday and has now led Minnesota to nine straight victories, the NFL’s longest active win streak. 

He threw for 259 yards with a touchdown and interception in a two-point loss to the Lions in Week 7, Detroit’s first loss of the season.

Expect a better effort from Darnold and his teammates as they look to avenge the loss and win the team’s first division title since 2022.

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers (+1.5)

Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson survived a first-quarter pick-six and threw for a season-high 414 yards and three touchdowns to beat Cincinnati 44-38 on the road in Week 13. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow also threw for three scores but it wasn’t enough as the Bengals have lost four of their last five games to the Steelers.

Even with an 8-8 record, the Bengals have a 10% chance of making the playoffs. according to ESPN’s Football Power Index but still need help from Denver and Miami. While a loss to Pittsburgh eliminates Cincinnati from playoff contention, the Steelers are guaranteed a playoff spot.

To win on Sunday, Pittsburgh will have to stop Ja’Marr Chase, the NFL’s leading receiver. Chase has averaged 117.5 yards per game since losing to the Steelers, a game George Pickens, Pittsburgh’s leading receiver, missed after catching four passes for two touchdowns and a career-high 195 yards against Cincinnati in Week 16 of 2023.

The Steelers can still win the AFC North and earn a No. 2 seed if Baltimore loses to Cleveland earlier that day. The Ravens are 18-point favorites over the Browns this week but stranger things have happened. 

So while the Bengals are clearly the more desperate team, the Steelers still have plenty to play for. Sitting on a three-game losing streak with losses to the Eagles, Ravens and Chiefs, Pittsburgh certainly doesn’t want to go into the playoffs with a fourth straight loss.