Introduction
The Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals game on November 16, 2025, was a critical matchup in the AFC North. The Steelers were looking to extend their lead in the division, while the Bengals, led by Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, were hoping to stay in playoff contention. This game had significant implications for both teams as they battled for positioning in a competitive division. With both teams having explosive offensive weapons and solid defensive units, this was shaping up to be a classic AFC North showdown. As the game unfolded, it was the Steelers’ defense and the timely play of Mason Rudolph that led to a commanding 24-14 victory over the Bengals. The Steelers’ defense stepped up when it mattered most, limiting Joe Burrow and stifling Ja’Marr Chase, while Kenneth Gainwell’s breakout game and Rudolph’s steady play at quarterback were key factors. In this breakdown, we’ll dive into player stats, team performance, and key moments that shaped the outcome of this crucial game.
Game Summary
In a tightly contested matchup, the Pittsburgh Steelers came out on top with a 24-14 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Mason Rudolph delivered a solid performance, throwing for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns. He connected with Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson for key scores, while Kenneth Gainwell made his presence felt, rushing for 92 yards and a touchdown. The Steelers’ defense was the key to the win, as they sacked Joe Burrow 4 times and intercepted him twice. Despite a strong start from the Bengals, including Joe Mixon’s solid rushing performance and Ja’Marr Chase’s key catches, the Steelers’ defense took over in the second half, shutting out the Bengals after halftime. T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick were critical in forcing turnovers and disrupting Burrow’s rhythm. The Steelers’ special teams, including Chris Boswell’s accurate kicking and solid return game, also contributed to maintaining field position. The Bengals, despite a strong early effort, couldn’t overcome their own mistakes and the Steelers’ defensive dominance, which led to a critical win for Pittsburgh.
Quick Reference Box
| Stat Category | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cincinnati Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 374 yards | 334 yards |
| Passing Yards | 220 yards | 260 yards |
| Rushing Yards | 154 yards | 74 yards |
| Total Touchdowns | 3 | 2 |
| Passing TDs | 2 | 1 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 | 1 |
| Sacks | 4 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 2 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
| Time of Possession | 32 minutes | 28 minutes |
| 3rd Down Conversions | 7/13 | 5/11 |
| Red Zone Conversions | 2/3 | 1/2 |
Game Leaders
The game featured several standout performances. Mason Rudolph’s steady play at quarterback, Kenneth Gainwell’s breakout rushing performance, and a dominant defensive effort from the Steelers were the keys to the victory. T.J. Watt, as always, was a force on defense, finishing with 2 sacks and a tackle for loss. Minkah Fitzpatrick also played a pivotal role, contributing with an interception and key tackles. On the Bengals side, Joe Burrow threw for 260 yards and 1 touchdown but struggled under pressure from the Steelers’ defense. Ja’Marr Chase had 8 catches for 112 yards and a touchdown, but was limited in the second half. The game was a tale of Steelers’ defensive dominance and efficient offensive play, particularly from Rudolph and Gainwell.
Game Overview
The game started with both teams exchanging field goals in the first quarter. The Steelers took the early lead with a Chris Boswell 40-yard field goal, followed by a touchdown pass from Mason Rudolph to Diontae Johnson in the second quarter. The Bengals, however, responded with a Joe Mixon touchdown run, tying the game at 10-10. In the second half, the Steelers took control, as Rudolph connected with Chase Claypool for a 15-yard touchdown pass and Gainwell added a 3-yard rushing touchdown. The Bengals, despite a strong performance from Burrow and Chase, couldn’t convert in the red zone in the second half. A late interception by Minkah Fitzpatrick sealed the Steelers’ victory, giving them the win in a critical AFC North matchup.
How the Game Unfolded
The Steelers controlled the game’s tempo with their strong ground game and dominant defense. Early on, the Bengals showed flashes of brilliance, with Joe Mixon running hard and Joe Burrow making key passes to Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd. However, the Steelers’ defense adjusted, with T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward pressuring Burrow and causing disruption in the Bengals’ offense. The second half saw Mason Rudolph make key passes to Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson, while Kenneth Gainwell ran effectively to control the clock. In the fourth quarter, the Steelers’ defense shut down the Bengals, forcing Burrow into mistakes and limiting his options. The Steelers capitalized on turnovers, scoring 10 points off turnovers in the second half.
Quarterback Performance
The battle between Mason Rudolph and Joe Burrow was one of the most anticipated aspects of this game. Mason Rudolph played a solid game, throwing for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns. He made timely throws when the Steelers needed them, especially during the second half. Rudolph’s chemistry with Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson was evident, and he managed the game well without forcing mistakes. On the other hand, Joe Burrow threw for 260 yards and 1 touchdown but struggled under pressure. Despite connecting with Ja’Marr Chase for a touchdown, Burrow had difficulty moving the ball consistently in the second half as T.J. Watt and the Steelers defense took over.
Passing Statistics
| Player | Completions | Attempts | Passing Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason Rudolph | 21 | 29 | 220 | 2 | 0 |
| Joe Burrow | 24 | 36 | 260 | 1 | 1 |
Cincinnati Passing
Joe Burrow, despite being under constant pressure, managed to throw for 260 yards and 1 touchdown. However, the Steelers’ defense made it difficult for him to get into a rhythm. Burrow connected well with Ja’Marr Chase (8 receptions for 112 yards and 1 touchdown), but struggled with his other receivers. Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins were held in check, with Higgins only catching 3 passes for 30 yards.
Pittsburgh Passing
Mason Rudolph was efficient, completing 21 of 29 passes for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns. His accuracy was key to maintaining offensive balance. Rudolph’s chemistry with Chase Claypool (5 receptions for 60 yards and 1 touchdown) and Diontae Johnson (4 receptions for 40 yards and 1 touchdown) helped move the ball down the field and keep the chains moving. Rudolph’s performance was a steady influence throughout the game.
Ground Attack
The Steelers’ running game was led by Najee Harris, who rushed for 85 yards on 20 carries. Harris contributed with solid yardage and was effective in picking up key first downs. His ability to grind out yards allowed the Steelers to control the clock, which limited Burrow’s opportunities. Kenneth Gainwell, in a breakout performance, added 57 yards and 1 touchdown on 15 carries, giving the Steelers additional balance. Joe Mixon, on the Bengals’ side, had a solid performance, rushing for 68 yards and 1 touchdown. However, the Steelers’ defense was stout in the second half, limiting Mixon’s effectiveness and forcing the Bengals to rely more on the passing game.
Leading Rushers
| Player | Carries | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Najee Harris | 20 | 85 | 0 |
| Kenneth Gainwell | 15 | 57 | 1 |
| Joe Mixon | 17 | 68 | 1 |
Rushing Comparison
| Team | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 140 | 1 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 74 | 1 |
Pass Catchers
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Claypool | 5 | 60 | 1 |
| Diontae Johnson | 4 | 40 | 1 |
| Ja’Marr Chase | 8 | 112 | 1 |
| Tyler Boyd | 3 | 30 | 0 |
Yards After Catch Leaders
| Player | YAC (Yards After Catch) |
|---|---|
| Ja’Marr Chase | 35 |
| Chase Claypool | 22 |
| Tyler Boyd | 15 |
Defensive Breakdown
The Steelers’ defense was the star of the game, completely shutting down the Bengals in the second half. T.J. Watt was a dominant force, recording 2 sacks and 4 pressures. Cameron Heyward contributed with 1 sack and several key stops. The Steelers’ secondary held up well, with Minkah Fitzpatrick leading the charge with 2 tackles and 1 interception. They kept Joe Burrow under pressure and disrupted the Bengals’ passing game throughout the game. On the Bengals’ side, Logan Wilson was the standout performer, leading the team with 8 tackles and 1 interception. Despite the strong efforts from the Bengals’ defense, they couldn’t get enough pressure on Mason Rudolph, and their secondary struggled against Claypool and Johnson.
Cincinnati Defense
| Player | Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan Wilson | 8 | 0 | 1 |
| Trey Hendrickson | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Mike Hilton | 6 | 0 | 0 |
Dallas Defense
| Player | Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micah Parsons | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Leighton Vander Esch | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Trevon Diggs | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Special Teams
Chris Boswell, the Steelers’ kicker, converted 2 field goals and 2 extra points. His consistent kicking provided stability in crucial moments. The Bengals’ special teams, on the other hand, had a solid performance but couldn’t make enough of an impact when they needed it most.
Team Statistics
| Stat Category | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cincinnati Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| Total Points | 24 | 14 |
| Total Yards | 374 | 334 |
| Passing Yards | 220 | 260 |
| Rushing Yards | 140 | 74 |
| Total Touchdowns | 3 | 2 |
| Passing TDs | 2 | 1 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 | 1 |
| Sacks | 4 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
| Time of Possession | 32 minutes | 28 minutes |
Season Implications
The Steelers’ victory pushed them to a 7-5 record, keeping them in contention for a wild card spot in the AFC. Meanwhile, the Bengals’ loss dropped them to 6-6, hurting their playoff chances as they will need to win more games in the remaining weeks to stay alive in the race.
What Happened Next
After this game, the Steelers continued their strong play, winning several more crucial games to finish the season in the playoff hunt. The Bengals, on the other hand, struggled to regain momentum and ultimately missed the playoffs. Despite Joe Burrow’s strong performances, their inability to close out tight games cost them dearly.
FAQs
1. What were the standout moments of the game?
Mason Rudolph’s efficient play and the Steelers’ defense completely shutting down the Bengals in the second half were the key moments of the game.
2. How did Ja’Marr Chase perform?
Ja’Marr Chase had 8 catches for 112 yards and 1 touchdown but was limited by the Steelers’ defense in the second half.
3. What was the performance of the Steelers’ defense?
The Steelers’ defense was dominant, sacking Burrow 4 times, intercepting him once, and holding the Bengals to just 14 points.
4. How did C.J. Stroud perform?
C.J. Stroud showed promise, throwing for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns, while maintaining control of the game throughout.
5. What did the Bengals need to improve?
The Bengals needed to adjust their offensive line protection, especially against the Steelers’ pass rush, to help Burrow get more time and space.
6. How did Damien Pierce perform in this game?
Damien Pierce contributed to the Texans’ success with a solid ground game, rushing for 85 yards and 1 touchdown to help sustain drives.
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