Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers, Preview, Odds, Picks and Prediction, Sunday, November 16, 2025
Use Code WWWC It’s a key AFC North matchup on Sunday, Nov. 16. Read our Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers prediction along with our other NFL Picks! The Steelers lead the division with a 5-4 record, but they have lost three of their last four games including a defeat to the Bengals. Cincinnati is 3-6 and they have struggled recently losing back-to-back games since defeating Pittsburgh. The Bengals are coming off their bye week. These two teams will meet with kick-off set for 1 P.M. EST.
Bengals still believe in winning AFC North
Cincinnati is 3-6 overall this season. The Bengals are in third place in the AFC North as they sit behind the Steelers, who have a 5-4 record, and the 4-5 Ravens. The Bengals are 2-0 when they have played divisional opponents with wins over the Steelers and the Browns. Since beating Pittsburgh in Week 7, the Bengals have lost back-to-back games to the Jets and the Bears, both coming by five points or less. The Bengals are coming off of their bye week.
In their last game, the Bengals lost 47-42 to Chicago on Sunday, Nov. 2. The Bengals never led by more than three points in the game. They secured a 42-41 lead with less than a minute to play thanks to a Joe Flacco passing touchdown to Andrei Iosivas. The Bengals defense couldn’t get a stop as the Bears scored a 58-yard touchdown to get the win. Flacco threw for 470 yards on 31-for-47 passing with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Chase Brown rushed for a team-high 37 yards. Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase both eclipsed 100 yards rushing in the loss.
Flacco has thrown for 1,254 yards and has completed 65% of his passes with 11 touchdowns and two interceptions with the Bengals. Brown leads the running back room with 420 yards and two touchdowns. Chase continues to be an elite wide receiver with 831 yards and five touchdowns.
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On defense, the Bengals are led in tackles with 70 by safety Jordan Battle. He also has a team-high three interceptions on the year as the defense has forced nine turnovers.
Joe Burrow has missed every game since Week 2 with a toe injury. He has returned to practice this week, but he isn’t due to return until Thanksgiving. Flacco is still set to play starter in this game.
In Week 7, Flacco made his debut for the Bengals when he orchestrated a game-winning drive against the Steelers. Flacco threw for 342 yards on 31-for-47 passing, along with three touchdowns.
Cincinnati is averaging 24 points per game, which ranks 13th in the league. They are the worst rushing attack, averaging just 78.8 yards per game. The Bengals are averaging 229.4 passing yards per game, placing them 13th.
On defense, the Bengals are allowing 33.3 points per game, which ranks last. They are the worst rush defense giving up 166 yards per game. Offenses are averaging 260 passing yards per game against them, which places the Bengals' defense third-worst.
Cincinnati is 3-6 against the spread this season. They are 1-3 against the spread when they have played on the road. The Bengals are 2-4 against the spread when they have been underdogs. They are also 1-3 against the spread as a single-digit underdog. The over is 6-2-1 when the Bengals have played this season. The under is 2-1-1 when the Bengals have played on the road.
As of Thursday, wide receiver Jermaine Burton, defensive end Trey Hendrickson, guard Lucas Patrick, running back Samaje Perine and defensive end Shemar Stewart all did not practice. Quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco, along with defensive end BJ Hill were limited in practice. Burrow and Hendrickson will miss this game.
Steelers still leading AFC North standings
Pittsburgh is 5-4 overall this season. The Steelers are in first place in the AFC West as they are just ahead of the Ravens, who have a 4-5 record. Pittsburgh is 3-2 when they have played at home, too. The Steelers started with a 4-1 record and they have followed it by losing three of their last four games.
In their last game, the Steelers lost 25-10 to the Chargers on Sunday, Nov. 9. Pittsburgh held a 3-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Steelers couldn’t move the ball well enough as their only other points came in the final few minutes. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 161 yards on 16-for-31 passing with one touchdown and two interceptions. Running back Jaylen Warren led the team with 70 yards rushing, too.
Rodgers has thrown for 1,853 yards and has completed 67% of his passes with 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Warren has a team-high 474 rushing yards with two touchdowns. DK Metcalf is Rogers’ top target with 502 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
On defense, the Steelers are led in tackles with 78 by linebacker Payton Wilson. TJ Watt has a team-high six sacks, while three other players have at least 4.5 sacks, too. The defense has also forced 16 turnovers on the year, too.
In Week 7, the Steelers lost 33-31 to the Bengals on Thursday, Oct. 16. Pittsburgh led 10-0 before the Bengals scored 20 unanswered points. The Steelers grabbed a 31-30 lead in the final two minutes thanks to a 68-yard touchdown reception from tight end Pat Freiermuth. The Bengals were able to drive the field with Joe Flacco to help the Bengals nail a game-winning field goal.
The Steelers are averaging 23.6 points per game, which ranks 16th. They are the 23rd-ranked passing offense with 195 yards per game. Pittsburgh also ranks third-worst in running the ball, averaging 85.7 yards per game.
On defense, the Steelers are allowing 24.4 points per game, which places them 21st. They are the 14th-ranked rush defense, giving up 106 yards per game. They are the worst pass defense, allowing an average of 269 yards per game.
Pittsburgh is 4-5 against the spread this season. They are 3-2 against the spread when playing at home. The Steelers are 2-3 against the spread when they have been favored. The over is 5-4 when the Steelers have played. The over is 3-2 when playing at home.
As of Thursday, corner Darius Slay, defensive back Cory Trice Jr. and linebacker Alex Highsmith did not participate in practice. Linebacker Cole Holcomb, guard Isaac Seumalo, tackle Broderick Jones and defensive tackle Cameron Hayward were all limited in practice.
Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Picks
Bengals vs Steelers Spread Pick
- Pittsburgh Steelers -5.5 (5 units)
The Steelers and Bengals have both played poorly over the past few weeks. They have struggled for consistency while the defenses are leaking points all over the place. The Bengals defeated Pittsburgh in Cincinnati a few weeks ago, but the tables will turn in this one with the Steelers seeking a major home win. Pittsburgh is clinging to the division lead, and they are 3-2 against the spread at home this season. The Steelers will ride an offense that will enjoy playing against one of the league’s worst defenses in Cincinnati. Pittsburgh is averaging 23.6 points per game and they are the 23rd-ranked passing offense. Cincinnati’s defense can’t slow down opposing teams as they are allowing over 33 points per game, and they rank last in rush defense and third-to-last in pass defense. Expect the Steelers to throw the ball early and often for big chunk plays, allowing a high-scoring game to break out.
Take the Steelers to cover.
Bengals vs Steelers Over/Under Pick
- Over 49 points (5 units)
A high-scoring game is inevitable between the Bengals and Steelers. The Bengals are allowing over 33 points per game, while the Steelers are also surrendering 24.4 points per game. Both teams favor the pass with Flacco and Rodgers; short possessions will keep this game rolling. The over is 3-2 when the Steelers have played at home. The over is 6-2-1 for the Bengals this year. If it’s anything like the first game between these two teams, the defenses will not have a chance at making stops.
Take the over on Sunday.
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