The rivalry is just different. When you check the Bengals Steelers score, you aren't just looking at numbers on a screen; you’re looking at the physical toll of AFC North football.
Honestly, if you've followed these two teams for more than a week, you know the vibes. It’s gritty. It’s usually loud. Sometimes it’s just plain ugly. But it’s never boring.
The Numbers That Defined the Game
Let's get straight to the point because that's why you're here. In their most recent meeting on December 1, 2024, the outcome felt like a classic throwback to 1990s defensive struggles, but with a modern twist. The Pittsburgh Steelers walked away with a 27-21 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium.
It wasn't a blowout. It wasn't a high-flying shootout where defenses gave up. It was a game of inches, turnovers, and a very frustrated Joe Burrow.
Pittsburgh came into the game with a clear plan: suffoke the Cincy run game and make life miserable for the offensive line. They did exactly that. T.J. Watt—because of course it was T.J. Watt—was a constant menace in the backfield. The Bengals’ offense, which usually looks like a well-oiled machine when Chase and Higgins are healthy, felt out of sync.
Why the Bengals Steelers Score Tells Only Half the Story
If you just saw 27-21 on your phone, you might think it was a back-and-forth thriller. It was, but only in the fourth quarter. For most of the first three frames, the Steelers controlled the tempo. Russell Wilson, despite being in the twilight of his career, played "winning football." He didn't throw for 400 yards. He didn't need to. He took care of the ball, leaned on Najee Harris, and let Chris Boswell do what Chris Boswell does best: kick field goals from seemingly anywhere on the planet.
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Bengals fans were understandably livid.
The frustrations boiled over when Cincinnati failed to convert on a crucial 4th-and-2 late in the game. Burrow looked for Mike Gesicki, but the coverage was tight. The ball hit the turf, and with it, the Bengals' hopes of a late-season surge took a massive hit.
The Defensive Masterclass
You have to give credit where it's due. Mike Tomlin’s defense is a nightmare to prepare for. They don't do anything overly fancy, they just beat you at the point of attack.
- T.J. Watt's Impact: One sack, three QB hits, and a forced fumble that changed the momentum in the second quarter.
- Secondary Play: Minkah Fitzpatrick played like a centerfielder, taking away the deep ball and forcing Burrow to check down more than he wanted to.
- The Run Wall: Chase Brown had some flashes, but the Steelers' front seven made sure he didn't break a long one.
Cincinnati’s defense actually played well enough to win. Trey Hendrickson continued his DPOY-caliber season, but the offense just couldn't stay on the field long enough to give them a breather. It’s a recurring theme for the Bengals this year: great talent, inconsistent execution.
Breaking Down the Recent Bengals Steelers Score Trends
If you look back at the last few seasons, the script has flipped a few times. We went from the "Bungles" era to Cincinnati dominating during their Super Bowl run, and now we’re back to this weird, competitive parity.
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In late 2023, the Steelers absolutely hammered the Bengals 34-11 behind a breakout performance from Mason Rudolph. Then, earlier in that same season, Pittsburgh won a 16-10 defensive slog.
Do you notice a pattern?
When the Steelers win, the Bengals Steelers score stays low. They want to drag you into the mud. They want to turn the game into a wrestling match. When the Bengals win, it’s usually because Burrow has 350 yards and the score is in the 30s. This most recent 27-21 result was a rare middle ground where the Bengals tried to play the Steelers' game and lost.
The Injury Factor
We can't talk about these teams without mentioning the training room. It’s a brutal sport. Cincinnati has dealt with a rotating door of offensive line issues, and while Joe Burrow’s wrist seems fine now, the chemistry with his receivers hasn't been "automatic" every single week.
On the other side, the Steelers’ offensive line is basically held together by grit and tape. Yet, they keep winning. It defies logic sometimes. You look at their roster and think, "How are they 8-3 or 9-4?" Then you watch them play, and you realize they just don't beat themselves. They wait for you to blink.
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The Bengals blinked.
What This Means for the AFC North Standings
The AFC North is a meat grinder. Every time these two play, the playoff implications are massive. With this latest win, Pittsburgh solidified their spot at the top of the division, keeping pace with the Ravens. For Cincinnati, this loss felt like a nail in the coffin for their division title hopes, pushing them into "Wild Card or Bust" territory.
- Steelers: Currently looking like a lock for the postseason.
- Bengals: Need to win out or get some serious help from the rest of the league.
- The Rivalry: Expect the return game in Pittsburgh to be even more physical.
Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter
The next time these two meet, don't look at the point spread. Don't look at the "experts" on TV. Just look at the injury report and the weather forecast.
If it’s cold and windy in Pittsburgh, advantage Steelers. If it’s a fast track in Cincy, advantage Bengals.
The Bengals Steelers score is a reflection of who controlled the line of scrimmage. Period. In the 27-21 game, the Steelers owned the trenches for 45 out of the 60 minutes. That was the difference.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Bettors
If you’re tracking this rivalry for the future, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Watch the Turnover Margin: In the last five meetings, the team that wins the turnover battle has won the game four times. It sounds like a cliché, but for these specific teams, it’s law.
- The Under is Your Friend: Unless Joe Burrow is absolutely on fire, these games tend to stay under the projected point total because the defenses know each other so well.
- Third Down Conversion Rates: The Bengals live and die by the long ball, but they lose these games when they can't convert 3rd-and-short. Monitor their success rate in "heavy" personnel sets.
- T.J. Watt vs. Right Tackle: Whoever the Bengals put at right tackle becomes the most important person on the field. If they can't block Watt 1-on-1, the Bengals' offense collapses.
The rivalry remains one of the best in professional sports because of the genuine dislike between the fanbases and the high stakes involved. Whether it's a blowout or a nail-biter, the Bengals Steelers score always matters. Check the remaining schedule to see when the rematch happens, because you won't want to miss it. Keep an eye on the official NFL injury reports and practice participation logs leading up to the next kickoff to see who actually suits up.