Hey there, football fans! If you’re anything like me, there’s nothing quite like the electric tension of an AFC North rivalry. The Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats have been trading blows for decades, turning every matchup into a gritty, can’t-look-away battle. Today, we’re diving deep into the Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats from their most recent clash on January 4, 2025—a nail-biter that ended with the Bengals edging out a 19-17 victory at Acrisure Stadium. This game wasn’t just about the score; it was a showcase of star power, defensive heroics, and those “what if” moments that keep us yelling at our TVs.
Whether you’re a die-hard Who Dey fan, a Steelers Nation loyalist, or just someone scrolling for some easy-to-digest NFL insights, I’ve got you covered. We’ll break down the key player stats in simple tables, highlight the MVPs of the day, and chat about what it all means for the future. No jargon overload here—think of this as your friendly neighborhood recap over a cold one. Let’s kick off!
The Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats Rivalry That Never Disappoints: A Quick Backstory
Before we geek out on the numbers, let’s set the scene. The Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats have squared off 110 times since 1970, with Pittsburgh holding a historical edge (65-41-2 overall). But in recent years? It’s been a flip-flop. The Steelers dominated early in the 2020s, but Joe Burrow’s Bengals flipped the script with playoff upsets and high-octane offenses. Heading into this 2025 Week 18 game, Cincinnati was fighting for their playoff lives at 8-8, while Pittsburgh (10-4) had already locked in a postseason spot but were stumbling with three straight losses.
The stakes? For the Bengals, a win kept their wild-card dreams alive (they needed help from other games too). For the Steelers, it was about regaining momentum before the playoffs. The weather was crisp Pittsburgh winter—perfect for some old-school trench warfare. And boy, did it deliver.
Game Overview: A Defensive Slugfest with Flashes of Brilliance
Final score: Bengals 19, Steelers 17. It was low-scoring compared to their earlier 2024 meeting (a wild 44-38 Steelers win), but that’s what made it so tense. Cincinnati controlled the clock, holding the ball for a whopping 38 minutes to Pittsburgh’s 22. They ran 71 plays to the Steelers’ 58, grinding out possessions like a well-oiled machine.
Offensively, the Bengals leaned on their passing game, while Pittsburgh struggled to sustain drives. Defensively, both sides shone—Trey Hendrickson terrorized the Steelers’ line, and Pittsburgh’s secondary kept things close until the end. Turnovers? Minimal, with just one interception (Burrow’s), but sacks and fumbles loomed large. Special teams? Solid, with no game-changers.
Key turning points:
- Bengals’ opening-drive TD to Ja’Marr Chase set the tone.
- Steelers’ late rally with a Freiermuth score, but a failed two-point try sealed their fate.
- Hendrickson’s 3.5 sacks on Russell Wilson crippled Pittsburgh’s rhythm.
Now, let’s get to the meat: the player stats. I’ve organized them into easy-to-scan tables so you can compare at a glance. We’ll cover passing, rushing, receiving, defense, and more.
Bengals vs Steelers Passing Stats: Burrow’s Masterclass
Quarterback play often decides these rivalry games, and Joe Burrow didn’t disappoint. He diced up the Steelers’ secondary with surgical precision, completing over 80% of his passes. Russell Wilson, starting for an injured Justin Fields, showed flashes but couldn’t overcome the pressure.
| Player | Team | Completions/Attempts | Yards | TD | INT | Sacks Taken | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Burrow | CIN | 37/46 | 277 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 92.5 |
| Russell Wilson | PIT | 18/28 | 162 | 1 | 0 | 3.5 | 89.1 |
Burrow’s efficiency was the story—his 80.4% completion rate is elite, and that one TD to Chase came on the game’s first drive. Wilson’s yards per attempt (5.8) were pedestrian, thanks to Hendrickson’s relentless pursuit. Fun fact: Burrow now has 21 career TD passes against Pittsburgh, his most vs. any foe. If you’re betting on MVP in this Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers player stats debate, Burrow’s your guy.
Rushing Stats: Ground Games That Grounded to a Halt
Rushing was secondary here—neither team exploded on the ground. Chase Brown stepped up for the Bengals with consistent short gains, while Najee Harris fought through contact but couldn’t break big. The Bengals’ time of possession edge came from avoiding negative plays.
| Player | Team | Carries | Yards | Yards/Carry | TD | Longest Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Brown | CIN | 18 | 62 | 3.4 | 0 | 12 |
| Najee Harris | PIT | 14 | 48 | 3.4 | 0 | 10 |
| Joe Burrow | CIN | 4 | 18 | 4.5 | 0 | 7 |
| Russell Wilson | PIT | 3 | 9 | 3.0 | 0 | 5 |
Brown’s 62 yards were crucial for clock control, averaging a solid 3.4 yards per pop. Harris, Pittsburgh’s workhorse, was bottled up—partly due to a late head injury that sidelined him briefly. No rushing TDs meant field position and third-down conversions were king.
Receiving Stats: Chase and Freiermuth Shine Bright
Wideouts and tight ends made their marks in this pass-heavy affair. Ja’Marr Chase was Burrow’s favorite target, hauling in 10 balls to inch toward his historic “Triple Crown” season (leading the NFL in catches, yards, and TDs). Pat Freiermuth was Pittsburgh’s lone bright spot, with a TD grab that had Steelers fans roaring.
| Player | Team | Receptions | Yards | Yards/Rec | TD | Targets | Longest Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ja’Marr Chase | CIN | 10 | 96 | 9.6 | 1 | 14 | 18 |
| Tee Higgins | CIN | 6 | 58 | 9.7 | 0 | 9 | 15 |
| Pat Freiermuth | PIT | 8 | 85 | 10.6 | 1 | 11 | 19 |
| George Pickens | PIT | 4 | 42 | 10.5 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Andrei Iosivas | CIN | 3 | 29 | 9.7 | 0 | 5 | 12 |
Chase’s 96 yards put him on the cusp of NFL history—imagine finishing with 1,700+ yards and 17 TDs! Freiermuth’s 8 catches were a season-high, proving why he’s a mismatch nightmare. Higgins added reliable yards after catch, while Pickens was quiet—Pittsburgh’s WRs combined for just 5 catches total in some stretches. These Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats highlight how receiving corps can swing momentum.
Defensive Stats: Hendrickson’s Sack Party Steals the Show
Defense won this one, folks. The Bengals’ D-line, led by Hendrickson, stuffed the run and harassed Wilson into mistakes. Pittsburgh’s front seven kept Burrow’s YPA low (6.0), but couldn’t force more turnovers.
| Player | Team | Tackles (Solo/Assist) | Sacks | INT | FF | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trey Hendrickson | CIN | 5 (4/1) | 3.5 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Nick Herbig | PIT | 7 (5/2) | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cameron Heyward | PIT | 6 (3/3) | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Logan Wilson | CIN | 8 (6/2) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Payton Wilson | PIT | 9 (7/2) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Hendrickson’s 3.5 sacks boosted his season total to 17.5—the NFL lead! He earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, a well-deserved nod. Payton Wilson’s pick was Pittsburgh’s only takeaway, but it came too late. Herbig and Heyward combined for key stops near the goal line, including a sack that bloodied Burrow’s face (he bounced back like a champ). This table screams “trench dominance” in our Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers player stats deep dive.
Kicking and Special Teams: The Unsung Heroes
No dramatic returns or misses here, but kicking decided the margin. Chris Boswell was perfect for Pitt, while Evan McPherson (injured? Wait, no—York stepped in) nailed extras.
| Player/Kicker | Team | FG Made/Att | FG Long | XP Made/Att | Punts/Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Boswell | PIT | 2/2 | 45 | 1/1 | – |
| Charlie York | CIN | 2/2 | 38 | 3/3 | – |
| Pressley Harvin | PIT | – | – | – | 4/45.2 |
| Brad Robbins | CIN | – | – | – | 3/42.1 |
Boswell’s 45-yarder kept Pittsburgh in it, but York’s reliability sealed the deal. Harvin’s punts pinned Cincinnati deep early on. Special teams rarely steal headlines, but in a two-point game, they’re gold.
Standout Players: Who Carried the Day?
Let’s give props where due. In Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats, a few names tower above.
- Joe Burrow (Bengals QB): 277 yards, surgical command. His poise under pressure? Chef’s kiss. Despite a scary sack, he led five straight wins to close the season.
- Trey Hendrickson (Bengals DE): 3.5 sacks, pure disruption. At 30, he’s an All-Pro force, reminding us why the Bengals’ D-line is elite.
- Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals WR): 10 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD. He’s not just a receiver; he’s a game-breaker chasing history.
- Pat Freiermuth (Steelers TE): 8 rec, 85 yards, 1 TD. In a quiet offense, he was the spark—season-high numbers from the Penn State product.
Honorable mention: Payton Wilson (Steelers LB) with 9 tackles and a pick, acclimating to the rivalry like a vet.
What These Stats Mean for the Bigger Picture
This game was a microcosm of the rivalry’s evolution. The Bengals’ control (71 plays, 38 min possession) shows Zac Taylor’s growth in managing games, while Mike Tomlin’s Steelers faltered in the red zone (just 1 TD on 3 trips). Pittsburgh’s final four-game skid (all under 17 points) exposed offensive woes—Russell Wilson averaged under 200 yards in losses.
For Cincinnati? A moral victory, but their 9-8 finish meant watching playoffs from home. Burrow’s 104.8 career passer rating vs. Pitt? Terrifying for future foes. Steelers snag the 6th seed but head to Baltimore on a sour note.
Looking ahead to 2025 rematches (Weeks 7 & 11), expect fireworks. Chase vs. new Steeler CB Darius Slay? Burrow vs. Fields/Wilson? The AFC North stays savage.
Wrapping It Up: Why This Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats Rivalry Rules
Whew, what a ride! From Burrow’s clinic to Hendrickson’s havoc, these Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats paint a picture of two teams pushing limits. It’s why we love football—heart, hustle, and heroes.