The Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats have one of the NFL’s most storied rivalries, a clash that’s been lighting up the field since 1970. Known for its intensity, this AFC North showdown consistently delivers thrilling moments, hard-hitting plays, and standout performances. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the game, understanding the player stats from recent Bengals vs. Steelers matchups offers a window into what makes this rivalry so captivating. In this article, we’ll break down the key player performances from their most recent games, focusing on the stats that shaped the outcomes, all presented in a way that’s easy to follow for fans of any age. Let’s dive into the numbers and stories behind this fierce competition.
A Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats Rivalry Rooted in History
Before we get to the stats, let’s set the stage. The Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats have faced off over 110 times since their first meeting in 1970, with Pittsburgh holding a historical edge at 71 wins to Cincinnati’s 40. This rivalry, born from the AFL-NFL merger, has seen its share of dramatic moments, from the Steelers’ dominance in the 1970s to the Bengals’ resurgence in the 1980s and beyond. Recent games, however, show a shift toward a more balanced competition, making player performances more critical than ever. Let’s look at the stats from the last four matchups to see how stars like Joe Burrow, Russell Wilson, Ja’Marr Chase, and T.J. Watt have shaped this rivalry.
Recent Matchups: A Snapshot
To give you a clear picture, we’ll focus on the four most recent games between the Bengals and Steelers, spanning from 2023 to early 2025. These games highlight the evolving dynamics of the rivalry, with Pittsburgh winning three of the four, but Cincinnati showing signs of closing the gap with a key victory in January 2025. Below, we’ll break down the standout player stats for quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, and defensive players, using tables for clarity and weaving in insights to keep things engaging.
Game 1: December 23, 2023 – Steelers 34, Bengals 11
This game was a tough one for Bengals fans. Played at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, the Steelers dominated with a balanced attack, while Cincinnati struggled offensively, especially without Joe Burrow, who was sidelined by injury.
Quarterback Stats
|
Player |
Team |
Completions/Attempts |
Yards |
Touchdowns |
Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mason Rudolph |
PIT |
17/27 | 290 | 2 | 0 |
|
Jake Browning |
CIN |
28/44 | 335 | 1 | 3 |
Mason Rudolph stepped up for Pittsburgh, throwing for 290 yards and two touchdowns, including a long 86-yard pass that broke the game open. Jake Browning, filling in for Burrow, threw for an impressive 335 yards but was hampered by three interceptions, which stalled Cincinnati’s momentum.
Running Back Stats
|
Player |
Team |
Carries |
Yards |
Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Najee Harris |
PIT |
19 | 78 | 1 |
|
Joe Mixon |
CIN |
11 | 43 | 0 |
Najee Harris powered the Steelers’ ground game, averaging over 4 yards per carry and scoring a touchdown. Joe Mixon, on the other hand, struggled against Pittsburgh’s stout defense, managing just 43 yards on 11 carries.
Receiver Stats
|
Player |
Team |
Receptions |
Yards |
Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
George Pickens |
PIT |
4 | 195 | 2 |
|
Tee Higgins |
CIN |
5 | 140 | 1 |
George Pickens was the star of the game, torching the Bengals’ secondary with 195 yards, including an 86-yard touchdown. Tee Higgins led Cincinnati with 140 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the turnovers.
Defensive Standouts
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T.J. Watt (PIT): 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble
-
Trey Hendrickson (CIN): 1 sack, 3 tackles
T.J. Watt’s disruption in the backfield was key, forcing a fumble that shifted momentum. Trey Hendrickson tried to keep Cincinnati in the game with a sack, but Pittsburgh’s defense overwhelmed the Bengals’ offense.
Game 2: December 1, 2024 – Steelers 44, Bengals 38
This high-scoring affair at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati was a classic shootout, with both offenses firing on all cylinders. The Steelers edged out the Bengals, thanks to a few critical plays and fewer mistakes.
Quarterback Stats
|
Player |
Team |
Completions/Attempts |
Yards |
Touchdowns |
Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Russell Wilson |
PIT |
29/38 | 414 | 3 | 1 |
|
Joe Burrow |
CIN |
26/39 | 347 | 3 | 2 |
Russell Wilson had a monster game, throwing for 414 yards and three touchdowns, earning the highest single-game quarterback performance in this stretch. Joe Burrow wasn’t far behind, with 347 yards and three scores, but two interceptions proved costly.
Running Back Stats
|
Player |
Team |
Carries |
Yards |
Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Najee Harris |
PIT |
16 | 72 | 1 |
|
Chase Brown |
CIN |
14 | 65 | 1 |
Both teams leaned on their running backs to complement the passing game. Harris and Brown each found the end zone, but neither dominated, as the game tilted toward the quarterbacks’ aerial assault.
Receiver Stats
|
Player |
Team |
Receptions |
Yards |
Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
George Pickens |
PIT |
7 | 131 | 1 |
|
Ja’Marr Chase |
CIN |
8 | 162 | 2 |
Ja’Marr Chase was electric, hauling in 162 yards and two touchdowns, but George Pickens kept pace with 131 yards and a score. The receivers’ performances kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Defensive Standouts
-
T.J. Watt (PIT): 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble
-
Germaine Pratt (CIN): 8 tackles, 1 interception
Watt continued to be a game-changer, with two sacks that disrupted Burrow’s rhythm. Pratt’s interception gave Cincinnati a chance, but the Bengals’ three turnovers (compared to Pittsburgh’s one) sealed their fate.
Game 3: January 4, 2025 – Bengals 19, Steelers 17
Cincinnati flipped the script in this low-scoring battle at Acrisure Stadium, keeping their playoff hopes alive with a gritty performance. This game showcased the Bengals’ ability to control the clock and limit mistakes.
Quarterback Stats
|
Player |
Team |
Completions/Attempts |
Yards |
Touchdowns |
Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Joe Burrow |
CIN |
24/36 | 277 | 1 | 1 |
|
Russell Wilson |
PIT |
18/30 | 185 | 1 | 1 |
Burrow was efficient, throwing for 277 yards and a touchdown while managing the game well. Wilson struggled against Cincinnati’s improved secondary, managing just 185 yards.
Running Back Stats
|
Player |
Team |
Carries |
Yards |
Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chase Brown |
CIN |
22 | 89 | 1 |
|
Najee Harris |
PIT |
13 | 54 | 0 |
Chase Brown stepped up for Cincinnati, grinding out 89 yards and a touchdown. Harris was limited by the Bengals’ defense, which controlled possession with 38 minutes of time of possession compared to Pittsburgh’s 22.
Receiver Stats
|
Player |
Team |
Receptions |
Yards |
Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ja’Marr Chase |
CIN |
6 | 101 | 1 |
|
George Pickens |
PIT |
5 | 76 | 0 |
Chase delivered again, with 101 yards and a touchdown, while Pickens was held in check by Cincinnati’s secondary, which showed marked improvement from earlier games.
Defensive Standouts
-
Logan Wilson (CIN): 10 tackles, 1 sack
-
T.J. Watt (PIT): 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss
Logan Wilson led a Bengals defense that suffocated Pittsburgh’s offense, while Watt remained a force but couldn’t fully tilt the game in the Steelers’ favor.
Game 4: October 17, 2025 (Upcoming)
The next matchup is set for October 17, 2025, at Paul Brown Stadium. While we don’t have stats yet, historical trends suggest another close contest. Cincinnati’s recent victory and improved secondary could make this a pivotal game in the rivalry’s evolution.
Key Trends and Insights
Now that we’ve broken down the stats, let’s look at what they tell us about the Bengals-Steelers rivalry:
-
Quarterback Play is Crucial: Joe Burrow’s presence makes Cincinnati a different team. In games where he played (December 2024 and January 2025), the Bengals averaged 28.5 points per game compared to just 11 without him in December 2023. Russell Wilson’s 414-yard performance in December 2024 shows Pittsburgh’s potential when their quarterback is on fire.
-
Turnovers Decide Games: The team with fewer turnovers won three of the four games. Cincinnati’s nine total turnovers in these matchups often put them in a hole, while Pittsburgh’s cleaner play (four turnovers) gave them the edge.
-
Star Receivers Shine: Ja’Marr Chase and George Pickens consistently delivered, with Chase averaging 131.5 yards in his two games and Pickens averaging 134 yards across three. These young stars are the heart of their teams’ passing attacks.
-
T.J. Watt’s Impact: Watt’s ability to disrupt games with sacks and forced fumbles is unmatched. He recorded at least one sack in every game, making him a constant headache for Cincinnati’s offensive line.
-
Cincinnati’s Secondary Improving: The Bengals’ pass defense struggled in 2023 and early 2024 but showed significant improvement in January 2025, holding Wilson to 185 yards and limiting Pickens. This could be a game-changer moving forward.
What to Watch in Future Matchups
As we look ahead to the October 17, 2025, game and beyond, here are some key factors to keep an eye on:
-
Can Cincinnati Contain T.J. Watt? The Bengals’ offensive line needs to double-team Watt to neutralize his impact. Their protection grades improved in January 2025, but Watt remains a challenge.
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Will Burrow Stay Healthy? Burrow’s absence in 2023 was a major factor in Cincinnati’s struggles. His ability to stay on the field will determine the Bengals’ ceiling.
-
Can Pittsburgh’s Run Game Step Up? Najee Harris has been solid but not spectacular. A stronger ground game could open up Wilson’s passing options.
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Chase vs. Pittsburgh’s Secondary: Ja’Marr Chase has feasted on the Steelers’ defense, and containing him will be crucial for Pittsburgh’s chances.
Why This Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats Rivalry Matters
The Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats rivalry is more than just numbers—it’s about passion, pride, and two cities battling for AFC North supremacy. For fans, it’s a chance to see young stars like Burrow and Chase go head-to-head with veterans like Wilson and Watt. The stats tell a story of a rivalry in transition, with Pittsburgh’s historical dominance giving way to a more competitive matchup. Whether you’re cheering for the Bengals’ orange and black or the Steelers’ black and gold, these games are a showcase of NFL talent at its best.
Conclusion
The Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats is a statistical goldmine for football fans. From Joe Burrow’s clutch performances to T.J. Watt’s relentless pressure, the player stats from recent games highlight why this rivalry remains one of the NFL’s most exciting. As we head toward their next clash on October 17, 2025, the numbers suggest a tight battle where turnovers, star receivers, and defensive playmakers will likely decide the outcome. So, grab your jersey, settle in, and get ready for another chapter in this epic AFC North showdown.
