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Two of the NFL’s most experienced quarterbacks meet Thursday night to open Week 7.

The early season has treated Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) much kinder than the Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) so far, with Mike Tomlin’s squad already owning a multi-game lead in the AFC North standings. It hasn’t all been perfect in the Rodgers-Steelers union, ranking near the bottom of the league in yards per game (277.8), but Pittsburgh has consistently found ways to win entering “Thursday Night Football.”

With only one loss to the Seahawks back in Week 2, the Steelers have gotten some solid play out of their 41-year-old quarterback. Rodgers has tossed 10 touchdown passes with 1,021 yards through five games, with DK Metcalf (356 yards, four TDs) dominating his target share. The Steelers’ defense has stepped up when needed, and they’ve become the early division favorites with the other three AFC North teams struggling.

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That includes the Bengals, who made a rare midseason trade for Joe Flacco — another quarterback over the age of 40 in the division. With Joe Burrow out for an extended period, Cincinnati has struggled. The Bengals’ defense has allowed the second-most yards per game in the league (394.2), and the team is taking a four-game losing streak into Week 7.

Flacco will aim to get Cincinnati back on track Thursday night, coming off a solid team debut in a loss to Green Bay. He and Rodgers will be in the spotlight in prime time as two former Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks whose best days are behind them, but are still playing well enough to lead their AFC North squad. Will the Steelers keep rolling, or will the Bengals get their first win behind Flacco?

The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights from Steelers vs. Bengals on “Thursday Night Football.” Follow with the action below as Week 7 kicks off. 

STREAM: Watch Steelers vs. Bengals on Amazon Prime

Steelers vs. Bengals score

 

NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule

Steelers vs. Bengals live updates, highlights from ‘Thursday Night Football’

All times ET. 

Steelers 7, Bengals 0

8:23 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Aaron Rodgers had all day to throw, and he takes advantage on third down. The Steelers get an opening-drive touchdown as Rodgers finds his tight end, Jonnu Smith. Pittsburgh is on top on the road.

Rodgers extends the play and throws a TD. Seen that before!

PITvsCIN on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/0UsxXQE0VF

— NFL (@NFL) October 17, 2025

8:20 p.m. — The Rodgers-Metcalf connection is already hot. DK gets the ball on third down, streaking down the sideline for a gain of 39 yards.

3rd and long… PERFECT ball from Rodgers to DK 🎯

PITvsCIN on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/rjC4ILQZSj

— NFL (@NFL) October 17, 2025

8:18 p.m. — Pittsburgh begins with the ball on “Thursday Night Football.”

Pregame

8:15 p.m. — Wide receiver Calvin Austin II remains out for Pittsburgh.

Inactives for #PITvsCIN ⤵️ @UPMC

đź“ť: https://t.co/yPIdrey8GD pic.twitter.com/vVAsHzIpM0

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 16, 2025

8:14 p.m. — Cincinnati’s “TNF” inactive list include DE Trey Hendrickson and CB Cam Taylor-Britt, two usual starters. 

.@KetteringHealth Inactives for #PITvsCIN pic.twitter.com/DgnR1jcrjc

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 16, 2025

8:13 p.m. — The Bengals are rocking their all-white uniforms tonight.

The White Bengal uniform combo 🔥 pic.twitter.com/M0FNIoUbm7

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 16, 2025

MORE STEELERS-BENGALS NEWS:

Where to watch Steelers vs. BengalsSteelers vs. Bengals start timeDate: Thursday, October 16Time: 8:15 p.m. ET

Thursday’s matchup between the Steelers and Bengals will kick off from Cincinnati at 8:15 p.m. ET to open Week 7.

What channel is Steelers vs. Bengals on today?

The game between the Steelers and Bengals will be available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. It will not air on local TV unless you are local to Pittsburgh or Cincinnati; in the Pittsburgh market, the game will be on WTAE-TV, and in the Cincinnati market, it will be on WCPO (ABC).

MORE: How Bengals are latest stop in Joe Flacco’s AFC North career

Steelers schedule 2025WeekDateOpponent/ResultKickoff time (ET)TV channel1Sunday, Sept. 7Steelers 34, Jets 321 p.m.CBS2Sunday, Sept. 14Seahawks 31, Steelers 171 p.m.Fox3Sunday, Sept. 21Steelers 21, Patriots 141 p.m.CBS4Sunday, Sept. 28Steelers 24, Vikings 219:30 a.m.NFL Network5Sunday, Oct. 5Bye–6Sunday, Oct. 12Steelers 23, Browns 91 p.m.CBS7Thursday, Oct. 16at Bengals8:15 p.m.Prime Video8Sunday, Oct. 26vs. Packers8:20 p.m.NBC9Sunday, Nov. 2vs. Colts1 p.m.CBS10Sunday, Nov. 9at Chargers8:20 p.m.NBC11Sunday, Nov. 16vs. Bengals1 p.m.CBS12Sunday, Nov. 23at Bears1 p.m.CBS13Sunday, Nov. 30vs. Bills4:25 p.m.CBS14Sunday, Dec. 7at Ravens1 p.m.CBS15Monday, Dec. 15vs. Dolphins8:15 p.m. ETESPN/ABC16Sunday, Dec. 21at Lions4:25 p.m. ETCBS17Sunday, Dec. 28at Browns1 p.m. ETCBS18TBDvs. RavensTBDTBDBengals schedule 2025WeekDateOpponent/ResultKickoff time (ET)TV channel1Sunday, Sept. 7Bengals 17, Browns 161 p.m.Fox2Sunday, Sept. 14Bengals 31, Jaguars 271 p.m.CBS3Sunday, Sept. 21Vikings 48, Bengals 101 p.m.CBS4Monday, Sept. 29Broncos 28, Bengals 38:15 p.m.ESPN5Sunday, Oct. 5Lions 37, Bengals 244:25 p.m.Fox6Sunday, Oct. 12Packers 27, Bengals 184:25 p.m.CBS7Thursday, Oct. 16vs. Steelers8:15 p.m.Amazon Prime8Sunday, Oct. 26vs. Jets1 p.m.CBS9Sunday, Nov. 2vs. Bears1 p.m.CBS10Sunday, Nov. 9Bye–11Sunday, Nov. 16at Steelers1 p.m.CBS12Sunday, Nov. 23vs. Patriots1 p.m.CBS13Thursday, Nov. 27at Ravens8:20 p.m.NBC14Sunday, Dec. 7at Bills4:25 p.m.Fox15Sunday, Dec. 14vs. Ravens1 p.m.CBS16Sunday, Dec. 21at Dolphins8:20 p.m.NBC17TBDvs. CardinalsTBDTBD18TBDvs. BrownsTBDTBD