If you were looking for a clean, defensive slugfest when checking the score Steelers vs Bengals this season, you probably walked away feeling a little dizzy. This wasn't your typical AFC North "three yards and a cloud of dust" affair. Instead, we got a 40-year-old Joe Flacco coming off his couch to haunt Mike Tomlin, Aaron Rodgers slinging it like it was 2011, and a scoreboard that looked more like a Big 12 basketball game than a cold-weather rivalry.
The last time these two stepped onto the grass at Acrisure Stadium on November 16, 2025, the Steelers actually managed to settle the score with a 34-12 beatdown. But honestly, nobody is talking about that blowout. Everyone is still obsessing over the Week 7 "Icy Hot Bowl"—the 33-31 thriller in Cincinnati that felt like a fever dream.
The Night the Old Guys Took Over
Week 7 was supposed to be about the young stars like Ja'Marr Chase and George Pickens. It wasn't. It was about two quarterbacks who are combined for 80 years of age.
Basically, the Bengals were in a freefall before this game. They were 2-4, desperate, and had just signed Joe Flacco because the injury bug had chewed through their depth chart. Mike Tomlin even went on record wondering why on earth the Cleveland Browns would trade a guy like Flacco to a division rival. He found out the hard way.
Flacco looked like a man possessed. He threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns. Across the field, Aaron Rodgers was doing Rodgers things, jumping out to a 10-0 lead. It felt like Pittsburgh was going to cruise. Then, the wheels sort of fell off for the Black and Gold.
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- Joe Flacco's Stat Line: 31/47, 342 yards, 3 TDs.
- The Chase Factor: Ja'Marr Chase caught 16 passes. 16! That’s a Bengals franchise record.
- The Heartbreaker: Evan McPherson nailed a 36-yarder with 7 seconds left to seal the 33-31 win.
The drama was high. Rodgers hit Pat Freiermuth for a 68-yard bomb with about two minutes left to take the lead. Steelers fans were already celebrating. But Flacco, with the "demeanor of a contract killer" as some analysts put it, marched Cincy right back down the field.
Why the Score Steelers vs Bengals Keeps Flipping
If you look at the historical data, the Steelers usually own this rivalry. They lead the all-time series 72-41. But the last couple of years have been... weird.
In the regular-season finale of the 2024 season (played in January 2025), the Bengals won 19-17. It was an ugly, gritty game where Trey Hendrickson basically lived in the Steelers' backfield, racking up 3.5 sacks. Russell Wilson was under center for Pittsburgh then, and he just couldn't find the rhythm.
Fast forward to November 2025, and the Steelers got their revenge. They won 34-12, but it was a pyrrhic victory. Aaron Rodgers left that game with a wrist injury, and Mason Rudolph had to come in to steady the ship. Rudolph, in his typical "Bengals Slayer" fashion, just drained the clock and let the defense do the heavy lifting.
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The Steelers' defense scored two touchdowns on their own in that second half. When the defense is outscoring the opposing offense, you know it’s a typical Mike Tomlin afternoon.
Breaking Down the Matchup Complexity
A lot of people think these games are just about who has the better quarterback. It's actually much more about the "11 personnel" vs. "13 personnel" chess match.
The Bengals are pass-happy. They utilized three-wide receiver sets (11 personnel) for nearly 75% of their snaps this year. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is obsessed with "13 personnel"—that's one running back and three tight ends. They lead the league in that specific heavy formation.
It’s a clash of identities. Cincinnati wants to spread you out and let Ja'Marr Chase make Jalen Ramsey and Joey Porter Jr. look silly. Pittsburgh wants to punch you in the mouth, hold the ball for 35 minutes, and pray Chris Boswell is in range for a 50-yarder.
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| Recent Key Matchups | Final Score | Winning Team |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 16, 2025 | 34-12 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Oct 16, 2025 | 33-31 | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Jan 4, 2025 | 19-17 | Cincinnati Bengals |
What Most People Get Wrong About This Rivalry
Social media will tell you the Bengals have "taken over" the North. The numbers don't really support that yet. While Cincy has won 3 of the last 5, the Steelers still have a plus-66 point differential this season compared to the Bengals' struggles.
The real issue for Cincinnati hasn't been the offense—it's the "points off turnovers." They’ve given up 52 points off their own mistakes this year, which is the worst in the league. You can't give Aaron Rodgers or even Mason Rudolph short fields and expect to win.
Also, let’s talk about the "after the catch" stats. A staggering 70% of the Steelers' passing yards have come after the catch. This means the Bengals' secondary is tackling poorly. If you're betting on the next score Steelers vs Bengals, keep a very close eye on the missed tackle stats for the Bengals' safeties.
Actionable Insights for the Next Game
If you're tracking the score Steelers vs Bengals for betting, fantasy, or just pure bragging rights, here is what you actually need to watch:
- The Time of Possession: Pittsburgh leads the league here (32:50). If they are winning the toss and choosing to receive, they want to grind the Bengals' defense into the dirt early.
- The Flacco/Rodgers Health: Check the injury reports. Rodgers' wrist is the biggest question mark heading into 2026.
- The "10:26" Mark: In almost every recent matchup, the second quarter is where the wheels fall off for one of these teams. Look for the mid-game surge.
- Red Zone Efficiency: The Bengals' defense is currently ranked near the bottom for allowing touchdowns per drive. If Pittsburgh gets inside the 20, they aren't settling for field goals anymore.
The rivalry is far from one-sided these days. It’s moved from the "Steelers always win" era into a weird, high-scoring, geriatric quarterback era that is honestly way more fun to watch. Just make sure you have your blood pressure medication ready before kickoff.
To stay ahead of the curve, track the Wednesday injury reports specifically for the Steelers' offensive line. Their penalty count (mostly holding calls) has been the only thing stopping them from putting up 40 points on a Cincy defense that allows a league-worst 7.7 yards per attempt on quick passes.