The rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals has always been one of the most exciting battles in the NFL. Every time these two teams meet, fans know they’re in for a game full of passion, power, and unpredictable moments.
Over the years, this rivalry has grown into something truly special. The hits are harder, the emotions are higher, and every play seems to carry extra weight. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to football, the Steelers vs Bengals match player stats tell a story of how two determined teams keep pushing each other to the limit.
In this article, we’ll take a friendly, easy look at their most recent meetings, explore who stood out, and see how both sides keep evolving. Ready? Let’s dive into the action!
History Behind the Steelers vs Bengals Rivalry
The story between these two teams began way back in 1970, when the Bengals joined the NFL. Since then, they’ve faced each other over a hundred times. The Steelers still hold the upper hand in their all-time series, but the Bengals have been closing the gap in recent years.
This rivalry is not just about wins and losses — it’s about pride. Both teams share the AFC North division, which means their games always matter for playoff spots. Fans from Pittsburgh and Cincinnati circle these matchups on their calendars every year.
From fierce hits by T.J. Watt to deep catches by Ja’Marr Chase, every meeting feels like a chapter in an ongoing football story. And what makes it even more exciting? The recent games have shown that both sides are capable of turning things around at any moment.
Overview of the Last 4 Matchups
The last four encounters between these teams, from November 2023 to January 2025, have given fans plenty to talk about. Out of those four games, the Steelers won three, but the Bengals finally broke through with a strong victory at the start of 2025.
Each game had its own twist. One game saw the Steelers win by controlling the clock. Another had the Bengals fighting back with sharp passes and strong defense. The December 2024 game even turned into a wild 44-38 shootout, setting a new record for total points in their rivalry.
If you look closely at the Steelers vs Bengals match player stats, you’ll notice one clear trend — when the Steelers control the time of possession and avoid turnovers, they usually win. But when the Bengals protect Joe Burrow and slow down the Steelers’ defense, they can take over the game.
Steelers vs Bengals Match Player Stats: Quarterbacks
Quarterbacks often decide how these games go. For the Steelers, the spotlight has recently shifted between Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, and Russell Wilson. Each brought something different to the table. Pickett was calm and steady, Rudolph surprised everyone with a big comeback game, and Wilson delivered fireworks with his 414-yard performance in 2024.
On the Bengals’ side, Joe Burrow remains the heart of the team. When healthy, he’s one of the most accurate passers in football. His smart throws and quick reads often keep the Bengals in control. But pressure has been his biggest challenge — when Pittsburgh’s defense breaks through, it can ruin Cincinnati’s rhythm.
In the January 2025 game, Burrow showed how far he’s come. He completed 37 of 46 passes and led his team to a tight 19-17 victory, finally beating the Steelers’ defense at their own game. It was a reminder that every great quarterback learns from defeat.
Najee Harris and the Steelers’ Running Attack
When you talk about the Steelers, you can’t skip Najee Harris. His physical running style has become one of Pittsburgh’s biggest strengths. In several of these matchups, Najee rushed for over 90 yards, keeping drives alive and the clock running.
The Steelers’ game plan has often been simple but effective — run the ball, control possession, and let the defense handle the rest. Harris’ best showing came in November 2023, when he carried the ball 15 times for 99 yards and a touchdown. That game perfectly showed how his tough runs can wear down defenses.
Even when the Bengals knew the run was coming, stopping Najee was never easy. He also proved useful as a receiver, catching short passes to move the chains. The Steelers’ offense simply feels more complete when he’s in full rhythm.
Bengals Rushing Game: Did It Work?
The Bengals’ ground game has been a different story. While Joe Burrow’s passing gets most of the attention, their running backs have struggled to find consistency. In some games, they averaged less than three yards per carry — a number that makes it hard to control the clock.
Players like Joe Mixon and Chase Brown showed flashes of skill, but it wasn’t until Khalil Herbert’s performance in the January 2025 game that the Bengals’ rushing attack finally found its balance. Herbert’s 69 rushing yards might not sound huge, but they helped Cincinnati dominate possession for nearly 38 minutes.
That approach — staying patient with the run — was key to their only win in this four-game stretch. It proved that even in today’s passing league, a strong running game can still win tough AFC North battles.
Steelers vs Bengals Match Player Stats: Wide Receivers
Now, let’s talk about the players who make the big plays — the receivers. For the Bengals, Ja’Marr Chase continues to shine as one of the league’s best. In three of these four matchups, he crossed 80 yards receiving, even when double-teamed. His hands, speed, and ability to turn small plays into long gains make him the Bengals’ most dangerous weapon.
For the Steelers, George Pickens has become their spark plug. His 195-yard, two-touchdown performance in December 2023 was unforgettable. However, he’s had up-and-down games too — sometimes explosive, sometimes quiet. On the other hand, Pat Freiermuth, the Steelers’ tight end, brings steady production. His 9-catch, 120-yard game in 2023 proved how reliable he is when defenses focus on other targets.
These receivers represent the two sides of this rivalry perfectly — Chase’s flash and speed versus Freiermuth’s control and timing. Both play important roles in shaping how their teams attack.
Defensive Stars Who Changed the Game
In a rivalry like this, defense always plays a huge role. Some games are won not by scoring more points, but by stopping the other team just one more time. And when it comes to defense, T.J. Watt is the first name that comes to mind.
Watt was a game-changer in almost every matchup. He had multiple games with 2 sacks, forced fumbles, and constant pressure on the Bengals’ quarterbacks. His PFF grades were always high — sometimes over 90, showing just how dominant he was. Even when he didn’t make the sack, his presence forced quick throws and bad decisions.
The Bengals had their own defensive star too — Trey Hendrickson. His best game came in January 2025, where he recorded 3.5 sacks and helped seal Cincinnati’s only win during these four matchups. His timing, strength, and hustle made life difficult for the Steelers’ offensive line. These two defensive leaders kept the rivalry close and exciting, especially in the final minutes of each game.
How Time of Possession Affected Each Game
One of the biggest keys to this rivalry has been time of possession. It’s simple — the team that holds the ball longer usually wins. That’s because they control the pace, rest their defense, and keep the other team’s offense off the field.
In three out of the four games, the Steelers won by controlling the clock. For example, in November 2023, they held the ball for over 37 minutes, compared to the Bengals’ 22 minutes. That allowed them to run long drives, wear down Cincinnati’s defense, and stay in charge.
But in January 2025, the Bengals flipped the script. They held the ball for 38 minutes, ran more plays, and slowly moved the ball down the field. Even though they didn’t score many touchdowns, their long drives ended in field goals — and that was enough to win. The clock became their best weapon.
Turnovers and Their Game-Changing Impact
Turnovers are one of the most painful ways to lose a game. And in this rivalry, they’ve made a huge difference. The team that turned the ball over less usually came out on top.
In December 2023, the Bengals gave the ball away four times — three interceptions and one fumble. The Steelers didn’t turn the ball over at all. Even though the Bengals had more passing yards, those mistakes helped the Steelers win by a big score (34-11).
When Joe Burrow or Jake Browning had time to throw and avoided turnovers, the Bengals played better. But when the Steelers’ defense forced fumbles or picked off passes, they quickly turned those into points. That’s why ball control and smart passing became such an important part of the Steelers vs Bengals match player stats story.
Steelers vs Bengals Match Player Stats: PFF Grades Breakdown
Looking at PFF grades gives us even more detail than regular stats. These grades show how well each player really performed — not just how many yards they gained, but how they played every snap.
T.J. Watt had some of the highest grades of all defenders, often scoring around 88 or higher. That means he was making a strong impact almost every play. George Pickens had a top grade of 90.1 in his best game (195 yards and 2 TDs), but also dropped below 45 in a quiet game — showing how up and down his performances were.
The Steelers’ offensive line also saw a dip in grades during their only loss, showing they struggled to protect Russell Wilson. On the other hand, the Bengals’ secondary improved over time, especially against deep passes. These PFF grades give us a better idea of which players helped or hurt their team, even if they didn’t show up in the final box score.
Game Highlights and Turning Points
Every one of these games had a few moments that changed everything. Sometimes it was a deep touchdown pass. Other times, it was a missed field goal or a crucial interception. Let’s look at a few key turning points.
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In December 2024, Nick Herbig made a game-changing play by sacking Burrow, forcing a fumble, and returning it for a 21-yard touchdown. That swing helped Pittsburgh hold off a late Bengals push.
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In the same game, Joe Burrow had over 300 passing yards, but two fumbles and one interception cost his team big points.
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In January 2025, the Bengals’ 15-play, 82-yard drive in the fourth quarter ate up over 8 minutes of game time. Even though it ended in a field goal, it gave them a 19-14 lead and left the Steelers with very little time.
These moments made the difference. In this rivalry, one big play often decides the winner.
What These Stats Tell Us About Future Matchups
So, what do all these numbers mean for the future? Well, they show us that the Steelers vs Bengals rivalry is changing. It’s no longer just one team dominating. Now, both sides are finding ways to win.
The Steelers still rely on Najee Harris, strong defense, and smart quarterback play. When they control the ball and avoid mistakes, they’re tough to beat. But the Bengals are learning fast. Their January 2025 win showed that with time control, clean offense, and strong defense, they can flip the script.
If both teams stay healthy and keep improving, we’ll likely see more close games, more big plays, and even more unforgettable moments. The next few years of Steelers vs Bengals matchups will be fun to watch — and you can bet the stats will keep telling amazing stories.
Bottom-Line
The Steelers vs Bengals match player stats give us a clear picture of what really happens in this fierce rivalry. It’s not just about touchdowns — it’s about time of possession, turnovers, clutch plays, and star performances.
From Joe Burrow’s smart throws to T.J. Watt’s crushing sacks, every game adds a new layer to this long-running battle. While the Steelers won most of the recent games, the Bengals are learning, adjusting, and showing they’re ready to fight back.
So whether you wear black and yellow or stripes of orange and black — one thing’s for sure: This rivalry is far from over, and the stats are only getting more exciting.
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