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Our NFL betting expert offers his best betting picks and predictions for the matchup between the Steelers and Bengals scheduled for Sunday in Cincinnati at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.

The Bengals are the defending AFC champions for the first time since the 1980s and are aiming to be one of the top teams in the NFL, while the Steelers begin the post-Ben Roethlisberger era with Mitchell Trubisky at quarterback.

Cincinnati has won the past three games against Pittsburgh after losing the previous 11 (including playoffs) and the environment is expected to be raucous for the first home game since the stellar Super Bowl run.

Let’s make it simple — the reason why the Bengals went from six wins over two seasons to the Super Bowl is because of star quarterback Joe Burrow. He set franchise records of 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns passes last season and is a solid leader.

The Cincinnati offense figures to be better this season as wideout Ja’Marr Chase could take a forward step in his second season. That would be scary for NFL defensive backs as Chase’s 1,455 receiving yards last season were the most by a rookie in the Super Bowl era.

Running back Joe Mixon (1,205 rushing yards in 2021) also is a fixture on the offense. Defensively, the trio of defensive end Trey Hendrickson (career-high 14 sacks), linebacker Logan Wilson (career-best 98 tackles) and S Jessie Bates III (88 tackles) helped the Bengals make the necessary improvement.

Can Trubisky wade into ‘The Jungle’ in his Pittsburgh debut and score a victory? Cincinnati will be electric and we see the Bengals enjoying the celebration.

Our Pick: Bengals to cover -6.5 spread

Trubisky won a three-way battle with first-round pick Kenny Pickett and holdover Mason Rudolph and the Steelers feel they got a free-agent steal. At 28, he should be able to handle playing in Roethlisberger’s shadow better than if Pickett were named the starter.

Trubisky is 29-21 as a starter even though his four-year stint with the Chicago Bears is looked upon as a downer. The No. 2 overall pick in 2017 can play without expectations in Pittsburgh with a team that can also win games on the defensive side.

Four-time Pro Bowl linebacker T.J. Watt matched Michael Strahan (2001) for the most sacks (22.5) in a season since the stat became official in 1982, while falling just short of the unofficial mark owned by Al “Bubba” Baker (23 in 1978). Defensive end Cameron Hayward (10 sacks) and S Minkah Fitzpatrick (career-best 124 tackles) are also solid.

Running back Najee Harris was a force with a rookie-best 1,667 scrimmage yards and the Steelers figure to give him a lot of work. There is enough offense at work in this game to see the total going over.

Our Pick: Over 44.5 total points to be scored

Pittsburgh’s best chance at winning includes keeping Trubisky out of risky situations so the Bengals should see plenty of Harris (over 62.5 rushing, -109). Keep the chains moving and make it easier for Trubisky (over 1.5 passing TDs, +126) to move the team within scoring range.

Burrow (over 1.5 passing TDs, -154) has thrown five touchdown passes in three games against the Steelers. The No. 1 overall pick in 2020 will also seek to hook up with Chase (over 5.5 catches, -108) as often as possible.

Not to be forgotten is that Mixon rushed for a career-high 165 yards and found the end zone twice against Pittsburgh last November. Mixon (over 73.5 rushing yards, -137) figures to have more success in the opener.

Watt will bring the pressure. But Burrow will stand cool and handle it to pick apart Pittsburgh in the middle of the field.

Our Pick: Joe Burrow to throw more than 1.5 touchdown passes

Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook. Correct at time of publishing and subject to change.