Sunday, September 24, 2006

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers

Line: Steelers -1½ (Opening: Steelers -3)

Over/Under: 43

Key Points: The heart and soul of the Steelers’ secondary, Troy Polamalu, is listed as questionable and so is rookie WR Santonio Holmes.

Though probable, Hines Ward’s hamstring is still bothering him.

Even though he looked like he had his bell rung last week, WR Chad Johnson seems fine and should play, he evened challenged Joey Porter to a scrap at the 50-yard line.

Carson Palmer is probably looking for revenge against the very same defense that injured him last year.

Cincy is 13-6 against the number on natural turf.

When sportsbooks list the Steelers as 3½-7 point home favorites, they have covered 11 out of 13 times.

Winneronline Opinion: The Steelers are back home after a disappointing MNF effort and will be mad but Carson Palmer will be furious after what happened last year.

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings

Line: Bears -3 (Opening: Bears -3)

Over/Under: 35

Key Points: The 2-0 Bears are a relatively healthy team with DE Israel Idonije and SS Cameron Worrell both listed as questionable with ankle and knee injuries respectively. LB Hunter Hillenmeyer, who is recovering from a concussion, is listed as probable.

The Vikings, who are also 2-0, may be in trouble as they have a number of notables who are less than 100 percent going into their NFC Norris battle with the Bears. Among the notables are DE Erasmus James who is likely to miss the rest of the season; WR Troy Willamson’s shoulder is bothering him and is listed as questionable; WR Marcus Robinson has a hamstring injury and is also listed as questionable; CB Antoine Winfield sustained a concussion last week and that may hamper him this week; G Artie Hicks is questionable with a shoulder injury.

Minnesota has a four game win streak going when hosting the Bears and in their last 24 contests—where they’ve been underdogs at home—the Vikes have covered on 18 occasions.

Winneronline Opinion: The trends point to a Vikes win, but injuries could play a factor.

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