Steelers prediction vs. Bengals on Week 7 Thursday Night Football has AFC North playoff picture impact

The Pittsburgh Steelers are starting to have a massive opportunity on their hands.

The rest of the AFC North Division has underwhelmed so far this season. Meanwhile, the Steelers are 4-1 heading into Thursday Night Football in Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Bengals, at 2-4, are somehow ahead of the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns, who are both 1-5.

A Steelers win over the Bengals would put them 3.5 games up in the division already.

No one expected this much of a mess in the division for the Bengals and Ravens, but in part because of QB injuries, things have gotten bad quickly. Pittsburgh can keep taking advantage.

This is what The Sporting News' expert pickers think will happen Thursday night.

MORE: Ja'Marr Chase has more epic tackles than Micah Parsons

Steelers vs. Bengals prediction

Bill Bender predicts that the Steelers will win the game straight up, 23-16.

"The Steelers have won the last three meetings at Cincinnati by six points or less," Bender writes. "Aaron Rodgers, 41, and Joe Flacco, 40, will work on a short week. Where does Rodgers make a difference? Pittsburgh has the best turnover margin in the NFL at plus-7. That is the key on the road against an AFC North rival. "

Who won't enjoy this matchup of elder statesman quarterbacks?

Steelers vs. Bengals against the spread prediction

Vinnie Iyer predicts that the Bengals will cover the line, which is Steelers -5.5. His score prediction is Steelers 24, Bengals 20.

"The Steelers' pass rush is on fire with six sacks each against the Vikings and Browns the past two weeks and will be looking to lick their chops against three-team long-time division rival QB Joe Flacco," Iyer writes. "Flacco, 40 and Aaron Rodgers, 41, will duel as former Jets in Brady-Brees Super Bowl ring style. Cincinnati stays in another game at home to push Pittsburgh, but the visitors will make the key defensive play late."

A spread like that with two teams that aren't high scoring could be tough to cover, although by Bender's score prediction above, it would've been just covered. Looks like it'll be a close call.

More NFL News:

• What Jaxson Dart does next is critical to Giants' future
• Bills' James Cook usage makes absolutely no sense
• Michael Penix Jr. validates Falcons' huge decision
• Baker Mayfield ties Patrick Mahomes in a recent NFL record
• Why Ravens released C.J. Gardner-Johnson after just 7 days
• The Eagles have a clear reason for their Saquon Barkley problem