Pittsburgh (8-3) will face off against Cincinnati (4-7) on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, with the broadcast available on CBS. According to BetMGM NFL odds, the Bengals are favored by 2.5 points. When examining their performances against the spread, the Steelers boast an 8-3 record compared to the Bengals’ 6-5. Historically, the Steelers have had the upper hand in their series, leading 70-39 overall. In their previous matchup on December 23, 2023, the Steelers secured a decisive victory over the Bengals, winning 34-11 in Pittsburgh.
Looking back at last week’s games, the Steelers suffered a close loss to the Browns, 24-19, while the Bengals fell to the Chargers, 34-27. Evaluating the teams’ offensive stats, Pittsburgh ranks 18th overall, 8th in rushing, 26th in passing, and 14th in scoring. Cincinnati’s offense is slightly more effective overall, sitting at 9th, but they are 27th in rushing and 1st in passing, coming in 6th in scoring. Defensively, the Steelers are 9th overall, with an impressive 4th in rushing defense, but 17th against the pass and 4th in scoring defense, while the Bengals sit at 23rd overall, 21st in rushing, 23rd in pass defense, and 28th in scoring defense. Notably, the Steelers have a plus-13 turnover differential, whereas the Bengals have just plus-1.
A key player for Pittsburgh to watch is linebacker T.J. Watt. Despite not being as impactful in recent games, Watt remains a significant threat on defense. In their last outing against Washington on November 10, he recorded no tackles or sacks, which was a rare occurrence for him. He has particularly struggled against the Bengals, with 12 career sacks against them, which is five fewer than he has against Pittsburgh’s other AFC North rivals. For the Bengals, quarterback Joe Burrow is a standout, having an impressive season with 3,028 passing yards and 27 touchdowns despite recovering from surgery on his throwing hand.
One key matchup to keep an eye on is Burrow against the Steelers’ secondary. Burrow has recently connected well with his top wide receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, making the Steelers’ defensive backs critical in containing this offensive duo, especially since they will likely focus on double-teaming Chase.
In terms of injuries, the Steelers’ Alex Highsmith, who has been out with an ankle injury, could return after missing two games. His absence has affected team performance significantly, as Pittsburgh has maintained a perfect 6-0 record when he plays. The Bengals’ Sheldon Rankins is also dealing with a viral illness and is listed as day-to-day.
Historically, the Steelers dominated this rivalry, winning 11 consecutive games from 2015 to 2020. However, since then, the series has become more competitive, with Pittsburgh holding a 4-3 advantage in their past contests. They first met in 1970, with Pittsburgh winning 21-10, and in 2023, the Steelers managed to sweep the series while sending the Bengals to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.
As for stats, the Steelers are striving to avoid a second losing streak this season. They have performed well after Thursday night games, recording a 9-1 record in that context over the last 10 occasions. A victory for Pittsburgh would mean their 21st consecutive season with a record of .500 or better, matching the longest streak since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. Additionally, the Steelers are facing challenges in red zone efficiency, sitting at 30th in the league with a touchdown conversion rate of just 44.7%. Remarkably, Pittsburgh’s total of three interceptions is the fewest recorded by the franchise through 11 games since 1970, and their turnover margin of plus-13 ranks second in the NFL.
Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin has guided the team to a .631 winning percentage in the later months of the season, a figure only surpassed by New England in the NFL. Wide receiver George Pickens has been impressive as well, averaging 14.9 yards per reception, one of the highest marks among those with at least 50 catches. Steelers’ kicker Chris Boswell has been exceptional versus the Bengals, achieving a 95.7% field goal success rate. Meanwhile, Ja’Marr Chase leads the Bengals with 73 receptions for 1,056 yards and 12 touchdowns, although they have yet to record a win against any team with a winning record this season. Notably, six of Cincinnati’s seven losses have been by a single score, highlighting a trend of close games, and kicker Evan McPherson has been struggling this season with a career-low field goal conversion rate.
In terms of fantasy implications, Tee Higgins may emerge as a solid choice. After returning strong against the Chargers with nine catches for 148 yards and a touchdown, he is likely to see increased opportunities as Chase draws additional defensive attention.