Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Preview: Team news, betting, tickets, live stream, Fantasy Football and more

Week 7 kicks off with a pivotal AFC North showdown on Thursday Night Football, as the Pittsburgh Steelers travel to face the Cincinnati Bengals.

The two divisional rivals find themselves in completely contrasting situations heading into this one. The Steelers, sitting pretty atop the AFC North at 4-1, extended their lead last week by edging out the Cleveland Browns in their first game back from the bye.

Meanwhile, the Bengals have been reeling since losing Joe Burrow to a long-term injury in Week 2. Cincinnati has now dropped four straight games, slipping out of the AFC playoff race. Week 6 marked veteran Joe Flacco's first start in Bengals colors after being traded from Cleveland earlier in the week.

Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers kick-off time

NFL

Paycor Stadium

The Bengals and the Steelers will meet in Week 7 of the NFL season at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio on Thursday, October 16, starting at 8:15 pm ET.

Team news & squads

Cincinnati Bengals team news

Meanwhile, the Bengals are turning the page with Joe Flacco taking over as the new signal-caller. The veteran looked steady in his debut despite a 27-18 loss in Green Bay, throwing for 219 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Still, Cincinnati’s ground game was nowhere to be found, mustering just 55 rushing yards.

Ja’Marr Chase continued to be the bright spot, hauling in 10 receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown. Even with a carousel of quarterbacks this season, Chase has refused to fade — he caught two touchdowns in Week 6 and found the end zone again in Flacco's first start.

Guards Dylan Fairchild (knee) and Lucas Patrick (calf) are questionable, while backup center Matt Lee is also dealing with a knee issue. Defensive end Shemar Stewart (ankle) was doubtful last time out, but the Bengals will be hoping he's back in action for the primetime clash. Star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson left the game against the Packers on Sunday and did not return. It'll be intriguing to see if he's handed the green light given the quick turnaround between games. 

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Pittsburgh Steelers team news

Pittsburgh might just be sneaking its way into the Super Bowl conversation, and it's not as crazy as it sounds. If they can swing a deal for a reliable running back before the deadline, Mike Tomlin and his crew could very well be in the mix to go all the way.

Aaron Rodgers is starting to look vintage again. In Sunday's 23-9 win over the Browns, the four-time MVP turned back the clock with 235 passing yards and two touchdowns but it wasn't just the numbers. Some of his throws were absolute artistry, the kind that remind everyone why he's one of the best to ever do it. And on the other side of the ball, the Steelers' defense was downright ferocious, six sacks, sixteen QB hits, and enough chaos to rattle any offense in the league.

The win came at a cost, though. Pittsburgh's defensive backfield took a few hits late in the game. Afterward, Tomlin told reporters that aside from the usual "bumps and bruises associated with play," the only notable injury was to Miles Killebrew, who suffered a non-contact knee injury in the second quarter. Tomlin described it as significant and said more details would be available soon.

The Steelers were already shorthanded, missing Calvin Austin III, who was ruled out for Sunday's game with a shoulder issue after sitting out all week of practice. In his absence, expect Roman Wilson and Scotty Miller to see increased targets as they try to keep the offense balanced.

Tomlin didn't provide any updates on T.J. Watt, Joey Porter Jr., Brandin Echols, or Darius Slay, all of whom missed time recently — likely a good omen as Pittsburgh faces a short week of preparation ahead of Thursday night.

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Watch and live stream Bengals vs Steelers in the USA

The Bengals vs Steelers game in Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season will be broadcast live exclusively on Prime Video. Fans in the local markets will still be able to catch the coverage onFubo (Try for free today!).

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More details on where to watch the game in the United States, including streaming options, will be released soon, so keep an eye out for our dedicated coverage.

Watch and live stream Bengals vs Steelers worldwide

For fans outside the U.S. looking to stay plugged into the action,NFL Game Pass on DAZN is the ultimate ticket. It serves up more than 200 regular-season and playoff matchups, complete Super Bowl coverage, plus access to NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and plenty more to keep you locked in all year long.

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How to buy Bengals vs Steelers tickets

The showdown between the Bengals and the Steelers is set for Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, a venue that packs in up to 65,515 fans and promises a fiery atmosphere on game day.

Tickets are already up for grabs on StubHub, with entry starting at $386. From there, prices climb through the tiers — $300, $400, $500, $600, $700, $800, $900, $1,000, and stretching all the way into the premium ranges of $2,000, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $6,000, and topping out at $10,406 for the best seats in the house.

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Bengals vs Steelers Fantasy Football

Aaron Rodgers was back in rhythm in Week 6, completing 21 of his 30 throws for 235 yards and a pair of touchdowns while adding a short one-yard rush in the Steelers' 23-9 win over the Browns. The veteran quarterback looked sharp and composed, dissecting Cleveland's defense with the precision of a surgeon. Heading into Week 7, he’ll be eyeing another big performance against a Cincinnati Bengals secondary that's been anything but consistent this season.

From a fantasy football standpoint, Pittsburgh's defense sits comfortably atop the Week 7 rankings, and for good reason. Thursday Night Football pits them against a Bengals offense that's still searching for its spark. Joe Flacco, while experienced, remains immobile in the pocket, and behind a leaky offensive line, that’s a recipe for chaos. Expect T.J. Watt and company to live in the backfield, sacks should come early and often in what figures to be a defensive slugfest.

Jaylen Warren kept the chains moving for Pittsburgh in Week 6, grinding out 52 yards on 11 carries and adding a pair of receptions for another 11 yards in the Steelers’ 23-9 win over the Browns. The hard-nosed back continues to complement Najee Harris perfectly, bringing that extra burst and toughness that keeps defenses honest.

Meanwhile, DK Metcalf is quietly turning into one of Rodgers' most trusted weapons. The star wideout remains a rock-solid WR2 in fantasy circles, combining ruthless efficiency with his trademark explosiveness. Despite the Steelers’ offense being a mixed bag at times, Metcalf keeps delivering — finding the end zone in four straight games.

Still, Flacco deserves credit. Less than a week into his Bengals tenure, the former Super Bowl MVP started in Week 6 and held his own. He completed 64.4% of his passes for 219 yards, two touchdowns, and 18.8 fantasy points, setting new personal season-highs across the board. Perhaps most importantly, it was his first turnover-free outing of the year after tossing six interceptions and losing two fumbles during his stint with the Browns.

The Bengals have a few favorable matchups on the horizon, including dates with the Jets and Bears, but the key to any offensive rhythm remains Ja’Marr Chase. No matter who’s throwing him the ball, Chase finds ways to shine. He scored twice in Week 6 and found the end zone yet again in Flacco’s debut, hauling in 10 receptions for 94 yards.

Bengals vs Steelers Game Predictions

With Aaron Rodgers commanding the huddle, the veteran quarterback should have little trouble dissecting a Bengals defense that ranked 28th in the NFL in EPA per play heading into Week 6. If Trey Hendrickson remains sidelined, Cincinnati could be in for a long night trying to contain a Pittsburgh side that's found real rhythm in its quick passing attack under Rodgers.

That said, laying this many points with the Steelers against Joe Flacco feels risky. The veteran signal-caller looked far more composed under center than Jake Browning did during his three-game stint as Cincy's starter. Plus, the Bengals have shown an ability to keep things interesting late, a backdoor cover is certainly not out of the question, much like their effort in Week 6 against Green Bay.

Still, while the Bengals might flash some competitiveness, the Steelers simply look sharper across the board. Their defense continues to dominate, and they'll exploit Cincinnati's patchy offensive line. With Rodgers in control and the defense firing on all cylinders, Pittsburgh should emerge victorious once again.

Bengals vs Steelers Betting Odds

Spread

Steelers -5.5 (-112)

Bengals +5.5 (-108)

Moneyline

Steelers: -265

Bengals: +215

Total

42.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Form

Head-to-Head Record

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Last 5 matches

PIT

2

Wins

0

Draws

3

Wins

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• Cincinnati Bengals

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  Pittsburgh Steelers

• Pittsburgh Steelers

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• Cincinnati Bengals

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  16

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• Pittsburgh Steelers

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  37

  Cincinnati Bengals

Useful links

• Bengals 2025 NFL schedule: TV channel, livestream & where to watch the games
• Steelers 2025 NFL schedule: TV channel, livestream & where to watch the games
• How to watch and live stream NFL football for free and without cable
• 2025 fantasy football rankings: Running back (RB) | Wide receiver (WR) | Tight end (TE) | Quarterback (QB)