The games between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers are always hard and emotional. These two teams are AFC North rivals and have played more than 100 times since 1970. The Steelers lead the all time series with 72 wins to 41 for the Bengals.
In the 2025 season, fans saw two very different games between these teams:
- On October 16, 2025, the Bengals won at home 33 to 31 in a close shootout.
- On November 16, 2025, the Steelers answered at home with a clear 34 to 12 win.
This guide will focus on the November 16 game, but will also look at key player stats from both games to help you understand what really happened on the field.
1. Short Story of the Most Recent Game
The most recent meeting was on November 16, 2025, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. The final score was:
- Pittsburgh Steelers 34 to 12 Cincinnati Bengals
At first, it looked like a normal tight AFC North game. The Steelers scored first with a touchdown pass to running back Kenneth Gainwell, and the Bengals answered with a touchdown pass to Tee Higgins.
But after halftime, the game changed:
- The Steelers defense scored two touchdowns, one on a long interception return and one on a fumble return.
- The Bengals offense could only add field goals and never reached the end zone again.
The Steelers also had some drama. Their star quarterback Aaron Rodgers left the game with a left hand or wrist injury, and backup Mason Rudolph had to finish the game. Even with this problem, the Steelers played a strong second half and got an important win for their season.
2. Quarterback Stats: Flacco, Rodgers, and Rudolph
Quarterbacks often decide games, so let us start with them.
Joe Flacco Bengals
With Joe Burrow still out, Joe Flacco started again for Cincinnati. His numbers in the November game were:
- 23 completions out of 40 attempts
- 199 passing yards
- 1 touchdown
- 1 interception
These stats show a mixed game:
- He did throw a nice 28 yard touchdown to Tee Higgins in the first quarter.
- But the Steelers defense pressured him, and one of his passes was returned 73 yards for a touchdown by safety Kyle Dugger.
So Flacco’s numbers are not bad, but the turnover and lack of big plays in the second half hurt the Bengals.
Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph Steelers
The Steelers used two quarterbacks in this game.
Aaron Rodgers in the first half:
- 9 completions out of 15 attempts
- 116 yards
- 1 touchdown
- 0 interceptions
He started well and threw an early touchdown to Kenneth Gainwell, but then left with a hand injury.
Mason Rudolph in the second half:
- 12 completions out of 16 attempts
- 127 yards
- 1 touchdown
- 0 interceptions
Rudolph did exactly what a backup should do. He stayed calm, avoided mistakes, and kept the offense moving. Together, Rodgers and Rudolph combined for:
- 21 completions out of 31 attempts
- 232 yards
- 2 touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
This clean passing game with no turnovers from the quarterbacks was a big reason for the Steelers win.
3. Running Back and Rushing Stats
Bengals Rushing
For the Bengals, Chase Brown had a solid day on the ground:
- 18 carries for 99 rushing yards
Almost 100 rushing yards is very good in any game. Brown helped the Bengals keep some balance on offense. But because they were behind in the score, they had to pass more, and could not lean on the run all game.
Steelers Rushing
The Steelers split carries between Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell:
- Jaylen Warren: 10 carries, 62 yards
- Kenneth Gainwell: 9 carries, 24 yards
The rushing stats are not huge, but they were efficient. Warren’s 62 yards helped the Steelers control the clock, and Gainwell’s runs kept the Bengals defense honest so they could not only focus on the pass.
4. Receiving Stats: Who Shined in the Passing Game
Bengals Receivers
Two Bengals players stand out in the November game:
- Tee Higgins: 3 catches, 63 yards, 1 touchdown
- Other receivers were more quiet and did not reach big yardage.
The Steelers did a good job slowing down Ja Marr Chase, who is usually the Bengals top star. In this game he was held to much smaller numbers than in October, when he had an amazing night with 16 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown in the first 2025 meeting.
Steelers Receivers and Kenneth Gainwell
For the Steelers, the main story in the passing game was again Kenneth Gainwell. He is listed as a running back, but in this game he played a huge role as a receiver:
- 7 catches
- 81 receiving yards
- 2 touchdowns
- plus 24 rushing yards
So Gainwell had 105 total yards from scrimmage and scored both offensive touchdowns for Pittsburgh. Many fans and reporters named him their Player of the Week after this game.
Other Steelers pass catchers also helped:
- DK Metcalf: 5 catches, 49 yards
- Darnell Washington tight end: 4 catches, 67 yards
These players gave Rudolph and Rodgers safe targets, especially on key downs.
5. Defense and Turnovers: The Real Game Changer
Sometimes the most important player stats do not come from offense, but from defense.
In this game, the Steelers defense was the real star:
- Kyle Dugger returned an interception 73 yards for a touchdown
- James Pierre returned a fumble 34 yards for another touchdown
- The Steelers defense forced two Bengals turnovers, while the Steelers offense had none
Turnover stats:
- Bengals: 1 interception and 1 fumble
- Steelers: 0 turnovers
When one team scores 14 points directly from defense, it is very hard for the other team to win, especially when their own offense is already struggling.
On the Bengals side, linebacker Oren Burks led the team with nine tackles, but the unit as a whole could not stop the Steelers in key moments and could not create enough turnovers.
6. How the October Game Was Different
To really understand the stats, it helps to look at the first 2025 meeting on October 16, which the Bengals won 33 to 31.
Key player numbers from that game:
- Joe Flacco
- 342 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
- Ja Marr Chase
- 16 catches, 161 yards, 1 touchdown
- Tee Higgins
- 6 catches, 96 yards, 1 touchdown
- Aaron Rodgers
- 244 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
- Pat Freiermuth
- 4 catches, 106 yards, 2 touchdowns
Team stats in that game:
- Total yards
- Steelers 396
- Bengals 470
- Turnovers
- Steelers 2
- Bengals 0
So in October:
- The Bengals passing game was explosive, with big numbers from Flacco, Chase, and Higgins
- The Steelers also moved the ball well, but their two interceptions gave the Bengals extra chances and likely cost them the game
In November:
- The roles flipped. The Steelers played the cleaner game with no turnovers and two defensive touchdowns, while the Bengals could not hit many deep passes and did give the ball away twice
This shows how important player stats like turnovers, big plays, and defensive scores are when we study this rivalry.
7. Simple Takeaways from the Player Stats
If we put everything together, we can see a few clear lessons:
- Quarterback efficiency matters
In October, Flacco had 3 touchdowns and 0 picks. In November, he had only 1 touchdown and 1 pick. The Steelers quarterbacks stayed mistake free in the second game - Kenneth Gainwell was the big surprise
His 105 total yards and 2 receiving touchdowns in November gave the Steelers a reliable weapon when Warren got hurt and Rodgers left the game - Big defensive plays change everything
The November game was close until the interception return and the fumble return. Those plays broke the game open - The rivalry is still very alive
Even though the Steelers lead the all time series, the Bengals showed in October that they can win big games when their star receivers and quarterback are hot
Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
1. Who won the most recent Bengals vs Steelers game
The most recent game was on November 16, 2025, and the Pittsburgh Steelers won 34 to 12 at home.
2. Who was the best player in the latest game
Many people say Kenneth Gainwell was the top player. He had 81 receiving yards, 24 rushing yards, and 2 receiving touchdowns.
3. How did Joe Flacco play for the Bengals
Joe Flacco threw for 199 yards, with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. He had some good throws, but the interception that became a touchdown for the Steelers defense was a big problem.
4. Why did the Steelers use two quarterbacks
Starter Aaron Rodgers left the game with a hand or wrist injury in the first half. Mason Rudolph came in as backup and finished the game with a solid performance and one touchdown pass.
5. How did the Bengals runners play
Running back Chase Brown had 18 carries for 99 yards, which is close to 100 yards. His numbers were good, but the team still struggled to score touchdowns.
6. What was special about the October 16, 2025 game
On October 16, the Bengals beat the Steelers 33 to 31 in a wild game. Joe Flacco passed for 342 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Ja Marr Chase had 16 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown.
7. How many times have the Bengals and Steelers played each other
Up to the November 2025 game, they have played 113 times. The Steelers lead the series 72 to 41.
8. Did the defense score in the latest game
Yes. The Steelers defense scored two touchdowns. One was a long interception return and the other was a fumble return.
9. Why did Ja Marr Chase get attention off the field
In the November game, Chase and Steelers corner Jalen Ramsey had a heated fight. Ramsey was ejected after punching Chase, and later Chase was suspended one game for spitting at him.
10. What is the main lesson from these recent games
The main lesson is simple. When the Bengals passing attack is hot and they protect the ball, they can win. When the Steelers play clean football and get big defensive plays, they are very hard to beat.
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