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Steeler Nation is a world-wide army that follows the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers. The Six-Time Super Bowl Champions are a franchise whose tradition dictates a standard of excellence, and their fans expect nothing less year in and year out. Those very same ideals translate to the ultimate Pittsburgh Steelers Game Day Preview, a guide that all Steelers fans read weekly to learn everything they need to know about their team and weekly opponent!
Mike Drakulich, the man behind Pittsburgh SportsNation (@PghSportsNation), who covers both Pitt football and the Steelers for NGSC Sports, brings you inside the huddle with The Pittsburgh SportsNation Game Commentary, Game Prediction, Broadcast Information, and a complete breakdown of each team. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff!
The Pittsburgh SportsNation Game Commentary
As we head into week seven of the 2025 NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are feeling pretty good.
Other than the Indianapolis Colts at 5-1, the Steelers have the best record in the AFC at 4-1. In the AFC North, they have a two and a half game lead over Cincinnati, and a three and a half game lead over both Baltimore and Cleveland.
The Steelers can put an even bigger stranglehold on their division, as they visit Paycor Stadium to take on the Bengals (2-4) on Thursday Night Football. Kickoff is at 8:15 PM .
The Bengals will have Joe Flacco at quarterback, who in his first game with Cincinnati, passed for 219 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. He was sacked just once. For the season, Flacco has thrown for 1,034 yards, four TD’s, and six interceptions.
Flacco is the third quarterback to start for Cincinnati, as Joe Burrow is out with a turf toe injury until December, and Jake Browning failed miserably in his place.
It was a bit of a shock for Cleveland to trade Flacco within the division to a foe severely wounded at the QB position.
“To be honest, it was shocking to me,” said Steelers head Coach Mike Tomlin on Monday afternoon at his weekly news conference. “Andrew Berry must be a lot smarter than me or us because it doesn’t make sense to me — to trade a quarterback who you think enough of to be your opening-day starter to a division opponent that’s hurting in that area. … But that’s just my personal feelings.”
Ja’Marr Chase continues to be one of the best receivers in the league despite missing Burrow. He has 42 receptions for 468 yards and four touchdowns.
Tee Higgins is on the opposite side, but has had a quieter year with 18 catches for 220 yards and two touchdowns.
Andrei Iosivas is sneaky across the middle, with eight receptions for 121 yards.
Noah Fant has been the best tight end for Cincinnati, catching 16 passes for 107 yards and one touchdown. Mike Gesicki, who was just placed on IR, had just eight receptions for 61 yards. Drew Sample has five catches for 24 yards and a score, and the Bengals 4th tight end, Tanner Hudson, has four catches for 10 yards and a TD, but he’s out Sunday, too.
Chase Brown has led an underwhelming rushing attack with 202 yards and a touchdown. He’s averaging just 2.7 yards per carry.
It’s a no-brainer that stopping Chase and Higgins is the top priority on defense. The Steelers already had Joey Porter, Jr. at cornerback, but the position was bolstered by the off-season acquisitions of Darius Slay and Jaylen Ramsey.
“Joey and Jalen can argue about who gets who,” Slay said. “I get the leftovers. It doesn’t matter to me. I had my time doing that for a very long time. It wasn’t easy to do.”
Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin feels good about their chances when facing the high powered offenses that Baltimore and Cincinnati usually have, especially with those additions.
“They were absolutely in mind because of the firepower they have on offense,” said Austin . “We wanted to be able to combat that in a lot of different ways. Hopefully, we can have some situations where we match up better than we have in the past. Maybe it gets us opportunities to play things a little differently.”
With Cincinnati having absolutely no run game to speak of this season, you know they’re going to have to pass the ball to beat the Steelers.
Flacco has a good arm and all, but he isn’t exactly Lamar Jackson with his legs.
There’s only so far he can move around in the pocket, and if the Steelers are smart, they will be very aggressive in their pass rush, and have the dogs in T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, and Nick Herbig in hunting mode from the start of the game. Add in disguised blitzes from Ramsey of one of the safeties, combined with a very bad Cincinnati offensive line, it could be a very painful evening for Flacco.
“We’re getting back to what we are, and that’s Blitzburgh,” said Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith. “The sacks we’ve had these past few games, we’re getting after it. We’re getting after teams with blitzing and we’re getting home with four-man rushes. We just have to continue doing what we’re doing, and that’s aggressive and being violent. Play fast from the jump.”
On the flip side of the ball, Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh offense could be facing a Bengals defense without star defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who is listed as questionable, but Cinci sources are saying he’s more likely to be out.
Regardless, with or without him, the Bengals defense is ranked 30th, allowing 30.5 points a game. You can choose your avenue to attack either way, as the pass defense is 31st giving up 258.5 yards a game, and the run defense being 28th, allowing 135.7 yards a game on the ground.
Rodgers has passed for 1,021 yards, 10 touchdowns, and just three interceptions.
D.K. Metcalf has been the top receiver, pulling down 19 receptions for 356 yards and four touchdowns. Calvin Austin III remains out this week, so perhaps Roman Wilson will see more that one pass thrown in his direction against the Bengals. Don’t expect anything out of Scotty Miller or Ben Skowronek.
It’s the Pittsburgh tight ends that inflict damage in the air attack, with Jonnu Smith leading the way with 17 catches for 89 yards and a touchdown. Darnell Washington excels at helping in the run game, and is becoming a danger catching the ball, as he has six receptions for 82 yards. Not many corners want to see that guy running at full speed at them when he has the ball. Pat Freiermuth was expected to put up some big numbers this season, but has been surprisingly quiet thus far, as evident by his eight catches for 76 yards.
Jaylen Warren continues to be a dual threat at running back, rushing for 184 yards, and adding 13 receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown. Kenneth Gainwell comes in to spell Warren, and is 2nd on the team with 176 yards, and has found the end zone three times. Rookie Kaleb Johnson has yet to be utilized by Tomlin, gaining just 36 yards in four games.
Look, I get it, Tomlin is 1-7 on the road in Thursday night games, but I don’t care about the past right now.
The Pittsburgh media was making Joe Flacco sound as if he were the 2nd coming of a 24 year old Joe Montana.
Give me a break.
This is mid-October of 2025, and the Steelers are playing damn good right now. Rodgers and Metcalf have elevated this offense, and I don’t think we’ve truly seen what they can do if they can acquire a legit #2 receiver to the arsenal.
Derrick Harmon is a stud on the defensive line, helping immensely with the run defense, allowing Heyward to join in on the pass rush with Watt, Herbig, and Highsmith. The secondary now has both play-makers and thumpers roaming around back there.
If the Steelers want to be who they want to be, and are intent on pursuing the AFC #1 seed, then this is a game in which you roll into Cincinnati, and come out with the scalps of the Bengals.
I’m seeing Rodgers with a couple of touchdown passes in this one, perhaps one to Freiermuth, and for the offense to show some balance in a strong run game behind Warren, Gainwell, and Johnson.
Flacco will complete some passes, but I expect him to be under duress the entire night, and for the Steelers defense to force him into a turnover or two.
Get that Escalooser up and running around the end of the 3rd quarter.
Prediction: Steelers 31 Bengals 17
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-4)
- NFL Week 7
Vegas line: Pittsburgh -5.5
Game-time: Thursday, October 16th, at 8:15 PM
Venue: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH.
- Field: Kentucky Bluegrass
Weather at Kickoff: Clear and 58. Winds out of the ENE at 2 MPH.
NFL Links
Broadcast Information
TV: Amazon Prime (Xfinity: n/a | DirecTV: n/a | Dish: n/a) / Local: WTAE-TV (Xfinity: Channel 804)
- Announcers: Al Michaels (play-by-play) Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) | Kaylee Hartung (field reporter)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE-FM & 970 WBGG-AM
- Announcers: Rob King (play-by-play) Max Starks (analyst) | Missi Matthews (sideline)
National Radio: Westwood One Sports
- Announcers: John Sadak (play-by-play) Ross Tucker (analyst)
Internet Broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 4-1 (1st in AFC North)
Last Game: Steelers 23 Browns 9
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
- 19th Season with Steelers
- Overall regular-season record: 187-108-2
- Playoff record: 8-11 (Qualified for playoffs 12 times)
Team Links
- Pittsburgh Steelers Team Roster
- Steelers Team/Individual Statistics
- Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 Schedule
Steelers Offense
- Offensive Coordinator: Arthur Smith
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 23.8 (14th)
- Total yards per game: 290.6 (30th)
- Passing yards per game: 206.6 (25th)
- Rushing yards per game: 84 (29th)
QUARTERBACK
Aaron Rodgers | #8
Rodgers may be 41, but the arm and his wits are still top notch. Currently 9th in the NFL with 10 touchdown passes.
Passing Yards: 1,021 | TD Passes: 10 | INT’s: 3 | Sacked: 9
Rushing Yards: 12 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Mason Rudolph | #2
Passing Yards: 12 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Jaylen Warren | #30
Warren is a wrecking ball that always seems to get positive yardage. 1st on the team with 184 yards rushing and has 13 catches for 153 yards receiving.
Rushing Yards: 184 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 153 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Kenneth Gainwell | #14
Gainwell is a Swiss Army knife that can step in at any time. Was superb while being the #1 back with Warren out against Minnesota.
Rushing Yards: 176 | Rushing TD’s: 3
Receptions: 19 | Receiving Yards: 79 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Kaleb Johnson | #20
Johnson is a rookie out of Iowa, and by talent alone, will one day be the lead back in the Steeler run game.
Rushing Yards: 36 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
D.K. Metcalf | #4
Metcalf is a big, physical receiver, that will be Aaron Rodgers’ top weapon in the passing game. Caught 66 passes for 992 yards and five touchdowns last year in Seattle. Can make the most spectacular of catches, but is also prone to occasional drops. Leads the team with 19 catches.
Receptions: 19 | Receiving Yards: 356 | Receiving TD’s: 4
Calvin Austin III* | #19
Austin, now in his 4th year, has taken over as the team’s #2 receiver. Injured his shoulder and is out for a few games.
Receptions: 10 | Receiving Yards: 139 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Roman Wilson | #10
Wilson looked set to make amends for a lost rookie season. Can he become the receiver he was at Michigan, and show the Steelers why he was drafted in the 3rd round? With Austin out, should get a chance to show what he can bring to the offense.
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 19 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Scotty Miller | #13
Miller returns to the Steelers after catching five passes for 69 yards last year.
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Brian Skowronek | #15
Great blocker and special teams player, Skowronek had five catches for 69 yards last season. Was the recipient of Aaron Rodger’s first TD pass as a Steeler.
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 22 | Receiving TD’s: 1
TIGHT ENDS
Pat Freiermuth | #88
Thought be headed for a solid season as Rodgers likes his tight ends. Caught 65 passes for 653 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024. So far, he’s been an afterthought in the offense through five games.
Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 76 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jonnu Smith | #81
Smith is a hybrid tight end/receiver… leads all tight ends with 17 receptions.
Receptions: 17 | Receiving Yards: 89 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Darnell Washington | #80
Mount Washington is an imposing figure at 6’7, 264 pounds. Big part of the offense, aiding the run game with his blocking, but now contributing with six receptions for 82 yards.
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 82 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Conner Heyward | #83
Heyward will be utilized in a fullback/tight end role.
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 18 | Receiving TD’s: 1
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Broderick Jones | #77
LG: Isaac Seumalo | #73
C: Zach Frazier | #54
RG: Mason McCormick | #66
RT: Troy Fautanu | #76
*Injured/Out
Steelers Defense
- Defensive Coordinator: Teryl Austin
- Defensive System: 3-4
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 21.4 (16th)
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 355.6 (25th)
- Passing yards allowed: 245 (27th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 110.6 (16th)
- Sacks: 20 (3rd)
- Interceptions: 5 (9th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
DT: Cam Heyward | #97
Tackles: 16 | Sacks: 1
NT: Keeanu Benton | #95
Tackles: 9 | Sacks: 1.5
- OR Daniel Ekuale | #96
- Tackles: 6 | Sacks: 0
DE: Derrick Harmon | #99
Tackles: 7 | Sacks: 2
LINEBACKERS
LOLB: T.J. Watt | #90
Tackles: 24 | Sacks: 3.5 | INT: 1
LILB: Patrick Queen | #6
Tackles: 44 | Sacks: 1
RILB: Payton Wilson | #41
Tackles: 42 | Sacks: 1
ROLB: Nick Herbig | #51
Tackles: 12 | Sacks: 4.5
- OR Alex Highsmith | #56
- Tackles: 12 | Sacks: 1.5
SECONDARY
LCB: Darius Slay | #23
Tackles: 19 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Juan Thornhill | #22
Tackles: 32 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: DeShon Elliot | #25
Tackles: 24 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 1
RCB: Joey Porter, Jr. | #24
Tackles: 6 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
- OR Brandin Echols | #26
- Tackles: 13 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
NCB: Jalen Ramsey | #5
Tackles: 20 | Sacks: 2 | INT: 1
Steelers Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Chris Boswell | #9
Extra Points: 12-12
Field Goals: 9-11
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 1-2
- 40-49 yards: 5-5
- 50+ yards: 3-4
KICKOFF RETURNER
Kenneth Gainwell | #14
Average: 25.5 | TD Returns: 0
Ka’Shawn Williams | #85
Average: 25.0 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Calvin Austin III* | #19
Average: 4.5 | TD Returns: 0
Ka’Shawn Williams | #85
Average: 10.0 | TD Returns: 0
Scouting the Cincinnati Bengals
Overall record: 2-4 (2nd in AFC North)
Last game: Green Bay 27 Cincinnati 18
Head Coach: Zac Taylor
- 7th Season with Cincinnati
- Overall regular-season record: 46-58 | 46-58 with Bengals
- Playoff Record: 1-2
Team Links
Bengals Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 17.2 (29th)
- Total Offense per game: 250.8 (32nd)
- Passing yards per game: 194.2 (30th)
- Rushing yards per game: 56.7 (32nd)
QUARTERBACK
Joe Burrow* | #9
Burrow is hurt yet again, and isn’t expected back until December, if at all.
Passing Yards: 189 | TD Passes: 2 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 5
Rushing Yards: 3 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Joe Flacco | #16
Flacco has been given the keys to the Bengals offense till Joe Burrow returns. At least he has enough of an arm to feed Chase and Higgins, but his lack of mobility behind this offensive line could lead to a lot of pain.
Passing Yards: 219 | TD Passes: 2 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 1
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
Chase Brown | #30
Brown is the top back for the Bengals, but has had an underwhelming season, averaging just 33.7 yards a game.
Rushing Yards: 202 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 20 | Receiving Yards: 102 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Samaje Perine | #34
Rushing Yards: 68 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 6 | Receiving Yards: 24 | TD’s: 0
Tahj Brooks | #25
Rushing Yards: 17 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Ja’Marr Chase | #1
Chase is 5th in the NFL with 42 receptions for 468 yards and caught four touchdowns.
Receptions: 42 | Receiving Yards: 468 | Receiving TD’s: 4
Tee Higgins | #5
Higgins has had a quiet 2025, catching just 18 passes so far.
Receptions: 18 | Receiving Yards: 220 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Andrei Iosivas | #80
Iosivas is utilized a lot across the middle of the field.
Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 121 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jermaine Burton | #81
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Charlie Jones | #15
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Mitchell Tinsley | #82
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 22 | Receiving TD’s: 1
TIGHT ENDS
Noah Fant | #86
Fant has taken over as the top tight end in the Bengals offense.
Receptions: 16 | Receiving Yards: 107 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Mike Gesicki* | #88
Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 61 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Drew Sample | #89
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 24 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Tanner Hudson* | #87
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 10 | Receiving TD’s: 1
*Injured/out
Bengals Defense
- Defensive System: 4-3
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 30.5 (30th)
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 394.2 (31st)
- Passing yards allowed: 258.5 (31st)
- Rushing yards allowed: 135.7 (28th)
- Sacks: 11 (24th)
- Interceptions: 6 (5th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
LDE: Joseph Ossai | #58
Tackles: 13 | Sacks: 2
LDT: T.J. Slaton, Jr. | #98
Tackles: 22 | Sacks: 0
RDT: B.J. Hill | #92
Tackles: 23 | Sacks: 1
RDE: Trey Hendrickson | #91
Tackles: 15 | Sacks: 4
LINEBACKERS
WLB: Demetrius Knight, Jr. | #44
Tackles: 46 | Sacks: 0 | INT:1
MLB: Logan Wilson | #55
Tackles: 37 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SLB: Oren Burks | #42
Tackles: 16 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SECONDARY
LCB: D.J. Turner II | #20
Tackles: 15 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
SS: Jordan Battle | #27
Tackles: 45 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 2
FS: Geno Stone | #22
Tackles: 37 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 1
RCB: Cam Taylor-Britt | #29
Tackles: 11 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
Bengals Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Evan McPherson | #2
Extra Points: 11-11
Field Goals: 6-8
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 1-1
- 30-39 yards: 2-2
- 40-49 yards: 2-2
- 50+ yards: 1-3
KICKOFF RETURNER
Charlie Jones | #15
Average: 23.5 | TD Returns: 0
Samaje Perine | #34
Average: 24.2 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Charlie Jones | #15
Average: 13.0 | TD Returns: 0
Steelers vs Bengals History
Series History: Began in 1970
Overall Record: 71-40
- Home: 36-19
- Away: 33-21
- Postseason: 2-0
Streak: Cincinnati won the last game.
Last regular-season meeting: Bengals Win, 19-17 (Jan. 4, 2025)
Last postseason meeting: Steelers Win, 18-16 (Jan. 9, 2016)
Injury Report (10/15/25)
Pittsburgh Steelers
IR: QB Will Howard (finger), OL Max Scharping (Knee), S Miles Kille
Out: WR Calvin Austin (Shoulder)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: S DeShon Elliott, LB Malik Harrison (Knee)
Cincinnati Bengals
IR: TE Mike Gesicki (Pectoral)
Out: TE Tanner Hudson (Concussion)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: G Lucas Patrick (Calf), WR Charlie Jones (Ribs), DE Trey Hendrickson (Hip)
Pittsburgh Steelers Schedule
2025 REGULAR-SEASON SCHEDULE (4-1)
Sun. Sept. 7 at N.Y. Jets | W- 34-32
Sun. Sept. 14 vs Seattle | L- 31-17
Sun. Sept. 21 at New England | W- 21-14
Sun. Sept. 28 vs Minnesota | W- 24-21
BYE WEEK
Sun. Oct. 12 Cleveland | W- 23-9
Thur. Oct. 16 at Cincinnati 8:15 p.m.
Sun. Oct. 26 vs Green Bay 8:20 p.m.
Sun. Nov. 2 vs Indianapolis 1 p.m.
Sun. Nov. 9 at L.A. Chargers* 8:20 p.m.
Sun. Nov. 16 vs Cincinnati* 1 p.m.
Sun. Nov. 23 at Chicago* 1 p.m.
Sun. Nov. 30 vs Buffalo* 4:25 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 7 at Baltimore* 1 p.m.
Mon. Dec. 15 vs Miami* 8:15 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 21 at Detroit* 4:25 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 28 at Cleveland* 1 p.m.
TBD TBD vs Baltimore* TBD
* *Times and TV network may change due to flexible scheduling
Author Profile
- Your source for Pittsburgh sports!
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From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.
There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all!
As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.
For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!
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