Joe Burrow and Aaron Rodgers after the Steelers’ 30-27 win in Week 3, Sept. 27, 2026. Photo by Pittsburgh Steelers, resized.Both 6-2, both on four-game streaks: Steelers at Bengals for the AFC North lead, step by step
Aaron Rodgers (8) at practice before the trip to Cincinnati, Nov. 12, 2026. Photo by Pittsburgh Steelers, resized.Tied at the top
The Steelers (6-2) visit the Bengals (6-2) at Paycor Stadium on Sunday, November 15, at 8:20 p.m. ET, which is 3:20 a.m. Monday in Cairo. Both teams have won four straight.
Pittsburgh leads the AFC North for now on division record, 2-1 to Cincinnati’s 1-1. A Steelers win would complete a season sweep and put them a game ahead with the tiebreaker. A Bengals win would even the season series and move them into first place.
“There’s nothing like this division. I probably said the same thing when I was in the other divisions. But divisional football is the best. I love it.”— Mike McCarthy, Steelers coach
The Bengals’ halftime graphic from Week 3 in Pittsburgh: 17-17. Photo by Cincinnati Bengals, resized.Week 3: eleven scores in Pittsburgh
The first meeting, on September 27 at Acrisure Stadium, had eleven scoring plays and five ties or lead changes in the second half. It was 17-17 at halftime after Tee Higgins caught a 28-yard touchdown with 34 seconds left in the second quarter.
- Roman Wilson, 38-yard catch from Aaron Rodgers: Steelers 7-0.
- Ja’Marr Chase, 3-yard catch from Joe Burrow: 7-7.
- Ben Skowronek, 23-yard catch from Rodgers: Steelers 14-7.
- Evan McPherson, 50-yard field goal: 14-10.
- Chris Boswell, 44-yard field goal: Steelers 17-10.
- Tee Higgins, 28-yard catch from Burrow: 17-17.
- McPherson, 38-yard field goal: Bengals 20-17.
- DK Metcalf, 6-yard catch from Rodgers: Steelers 24-20.
The Steelers’ graphic for Chris Boswell’s 33-yard field goal with 2:15 left, Sept. 27, 2026. Photo by Pittsburgh Steelers, resized.How September ended
Burrow put Cincinnati back in front early in the fourth quarter. Boswell answered twice.
- Mike Gesicki, 25-yard catch from Burrow: Bengals 27-24.
- Boswell, 36-yard field goal: 27-27.
- Boswell, 33-yard field goal: Steelers 30-27. Final.
Week 3 by the numbers (Steelers vs. Bengals)
It was Cincinnati’s first loss of the season. Pittsburgh lost the following Thursday in Cleveland, 27-24, to fall to 2-2, and has not lost since.
Bengals players celebrate a first-half score in Pittsburgh, Sept. 27, 2026. Photo by Cincinnati Bengals, resized.Two roads to 6-2
Both teams went 4-1 after the Week 3 game. Pittsburgh has done it mostly with defense, allowing 144 points in eight games. Cincinnati has scored 240 points, 30.0 a game, second only to Buffalo, but has also allowed 175.
Steelers’ margin, week by week
Bengals’ margin, week by week
The Bengals’ Week 9 graphic for Joe Burrow after Madrid: 24 of 29, 271 yards, three touchdowns. Photo by Cincinnati Bengals, resized.Cincinnati’s passing machine
The Bengals score 30.0 points a game, second in the NFL, and lead the league with 285.5 passing yards per game. They are third from the bottom in rushing, at 85.6 yards a game, and convert 53.6% of their third downs.
It is the first time the Bengals have won four straight games while scoring at least 30 points in each. Burrow has 16 touchdown passes and three interceptions in that stretch, and went 24 of 29 for 271 yards and three touchdowns in Madrid.
Bengals points, last four games
“I love playing in primetime. Some guys would rather play at 1. I’d rather play every game Sunday night, Monday Night Football.”— Joe Burrow
The Steelers’ graphic for Jaylen Warren’s 127 rushing yards against the Bengals in Week 3. Photo by Pittsburgh Steelers, resized.Pittsburgh’s way
The Steelers have allowed 18.0 points a game, and opponents have scored touchdowns on 12 of 28 red-zone trips, a 42.9% rate. T.J. Watt has 7.5 of the team’s 26 sacks, and Pittsburgh is plus-5 in turnovers, with 13 takeaways and 8 giveaways.
On offense, Jaylen Warren has 704 yards on 119 carries, 5.9 a carry. Rodgers has 1,871 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
Points per game, season (Steelers vs. Bengals)
“We’ve got to get open and win our one-on-ones and get the ball delivered in the proper spot.”— Aaron Rodgers
Ja’Marr Chase (1) at practice during the week of the Steelers game, Nov. 2026. Photo by Cincinnati Bengals, resized.A bye week against a trip to Madrid
Pittsburgh last played on November 1 and had its bye in Week 9. Cincinnati played in Madrid on November 8 and flew home from Spain.
Teams coming off a bye are 13-1 this season. The Steelers are 25-12 all-time after a bye and have won 15 of their past 19 such games, and McCarthy is 12-6 after a bye as an NFL head coach.
“I think that’s one of those stats you can just find if you’re looking for it. Obviously, there’s a slight advantage in rest, but yeah, I just think that’s an outlier stat, probably.”— Aaron Rodgers
Pittsburgh has receivers Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) and Roman Wilson (finger) on injured reserve. Cincinnati opened practice windows this week for cornerback Jalen Davis, receiver Andrei Iosivas and guard Brian Parker II, who are on injured reserve.
Ja’Marr Chase (1) in the all-white uniform the Bengals will wear on Sunday night. Photo by Cincinnati Bengals, resized.The history, and the night
Pittsburgh leads the all-time series 73-41, including 2-0 in the playoffs, and is 33-22 in Cincinnati. The Bengals have won three of the past six at home against the Steelers, including last season’s Thursday night game, when Joe Flacco started for an injured Burrow.
This is only the third time the two have met with both on four-game winning streaks. The others were in 1975 and 1976.
- Bengals 27, Steelers 3, in Cincinnati.
- Steelers 24, Bengals 10, in Pittsburgh.
- Steelers 24, Bengals 17, in Cincinnati.
- Steelers 30, Bengals 20, in Pittsburgh.
- Steelers 27, Bengals 17, in Pittsburgh. Their last Sunday night meeting.
Burrow has never played a home prime-time game against a division opponent. He was injured when the Bengals hosted the Steelers at night in 2020 and in 2025.
- Steelers at Philadelphia.
- Bengals at Washington.
- Steelers vs. Denver.
- Bengals vs. New Orleans.
- Steelers vs. Houston; Bengals at Cleveland.
One game separates them, and it was decided by a field goal. Pittsburgh can sweep the season series and lead the division by a game. Cincinnati can draw even and move into first place. Kickoff is 3:20 a.m. Monday in Cairo.
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