Only one team since the AFL-NFL merger has started a season 0-4 and gone on to qualify for the postseason. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals look to avoid that situation when they face off on Monday Night Football from Heinz Field.

The AFC North rivals each come in at 0-3 but aren’t that far off from being 2-1. Let’s take a look at some of the best bets fans of NFL betting should consider:

Steelers-Bengals Best Bets

All odds current as of publication but subject to change. Check out the latest Bears-Redskins odds here

PICK 1: Cincinnati +4.5

Pittsburgh dominates Cincinnati. The Steelers have won eight in a row in this series and 11 of 12. Cincy is also a horrid 6-15 in prime time since Andy Dalton’s rookie year of 2011.

But these teams have a lot in common, including the inability and relative lack of interest in running the ball. The Bengals’ two road games were lost by a combined five points and both came down to the end. The Steelers have also come close to winning on a pair of occasions.

Cincinnati ranks dead-last in rushing but is No. 2 in the NFL in passing average 326 yards per game. The Bengals have also done a good job of limiting opposing QBs, ranking a respectable 11th in pass yards allowed.

The Steelers also don’t run the ball, but they also haven’t been great at throwing it and Mason Rudolph is still getting his feet wet. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh’s defense ranks 27th in stopping the run and 29th against the pass.

PICK 2: Total Turnovers – 4-5

This is a lot of turnovers to expect in one game, but these are two of the more turnover-prone squads in the NFL. In addition to three INTs apiece, these teams have combined for a whopping 12 fumbles with six lost.

Pittsburgh’s defense has created seven turnovers as well, including a league-leading five fumbles recovered. The price is right to take a small flyer.

PICK 3: Highest-scoring Half – Second Half

Neither of these offenses has lit the world on fire – Cincinnati averages 18.0 ppg, Pittsburgh only 16.3. And they’re especially slow out of the gates. The Steelers are averaging a scant 5.3 ppg in the first half this season, the Bengals just a little higher at 9.0. Both teams average more in the fourth quarter than any other frame.

PICK 4: First-Half Points – Under 21.5

Piggybacking on our last pick, don’t expect many points scored in the first half. The first quarter O/U of 7.5 carries a little more risk, but it’s worth considering a smaller wager on a low-scoring opening 30 minutes.

RELATED: Your complete Steelers-Bengals betting preview

PICK 5: Total points by Winning Team – Over 19.5

Cincinnati lives on the big play, with a whopping 14 completions of 20-plus yards through just three games. That plays well against Pittsburgh, which has allowed nine pass plays of 20 yards or more – on first downs.

Pittsburgh’s offense ranked 29th rushing the ball and 28th passing it, but has reason for optimism against a Bengals defense that has allowed 8.1 yards after the catch, by far the most in the league.

Both teams have the potential of scoring 20 points. We only need one of them to hit that mark.