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The Pittsburgh Steelers spent the weekend resting on their bye while the Cincinnati Bengals took care of business overseas. Now both teams sit at 6-2, and one lesson from the first meeting could decide who leaves Sunday night on top.
Nov 1, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws the ball during warm ups prior to an NFL game against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium.
Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
The Pittsburgh Steelers may have been on their bye week, but everyone already knew how big Sunday’s Sunday Night Football matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals was going to be. After this weekend, it just got a whole lot bigger.
While the Steelers were at home resting, the Bengals were at work in Madrid, and they put a beatdown on the Atlanta Falcons. Cincinnati won 34-17, and quarterback Joe Burrow was sharp from start to finish, completing 24-of-29 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns.
That result sets up a massive AFC North clash in prime time. Pittsburgh and Cincinnati are both 6-2, and the No. 1 spot in the division will be on the line.
Joe Burrow vs. the Steelers in 2026
Completed 28-of-37 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns in the Sept. 27 meeting.
Started that game a perfect 14-of-14.
Threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns on 24-of-29 passing against Atlanta in Madrid.
The Steelers hold the tiebreaker, for now
Pittsburgh holds the tiebreaker over Cincinnati because of its 30-27 win back on Sept. 27. That game was far from a comfortable one for the Steelers.
AFC North · 1stPittsburgh Steelers6-2 · Projected 10.8 winsNFL Playoff
Predictor
80%Make playoffs
31%Win AFC North
5%No. 1 seed in the AFC
6%Reach the Super Bowl
3%Win Super Bowl LXI
Next: at Bengals · Nov 15, 8:20 PM ET39% to win · Playoffs: win 91%, loss 72%
Burrow was lights out in that first meeting, and the Steelers’ offense had to carry the load to keep pace. Aaron Rodgers went 19-of-34 for 292 yards and three touchdowns, while Jaylen Warren ran wild on the ground. It took 30 points to beat the Bengals.
I’m going to be honest. It might take 30 points again on Sunday night. It could take 35, or maybe even 40.
Burrow is one of the best quarterbacks in the league when he gets into a rhythm. That’s exactly why the plan for slowing him down has to look different this time around.
Patrick Graham’s adjustments will define this game
That’s where the biggest storyline of this matchup comes into focus. How is defensive coordinator Patrick Graham going to take what he learned from the first outing against the Bengals and apply it on Sunday night?
To me, nothing else matters more in this game. You cannot let Burrow start 14-of-14 again. Playing soft zone and refusing to heat him up is a recipe for disaster against a quarterback who can pick a defense apart that efficiently.
The Steelers needed some breaks on special teams to escape with the win in September. Without them, they might have lost that game. Counting on that kind of luck twice against the same opponent is not a winning strategy, and Pittsburgh has to give Burrow something different to think about before the snap.
Pittsburgh has every edge it could ask for
The scheduling sets up nicely for the Steelers. Pittsburgh comes off a bye fully rested, with multiple weeks of preparation for one opponent. Cincinnati, meanwhile, has to travel from Madrid back to Cincinnati after a game overseas.
You don’t get many better setups than that in the middle of an NFL season. The Steelers will have fresh legs, a full game plan, and the benefit of having already seen this Bengals offense once in 2026.
That also means there are no excuses. With all of those advantages and a national audience watching on Sunday Night Football, the Steelers have to win this football game.
The way I see it, Sunday is about more than the AFC North standings. A win would show the world that Pittsburgh is a true contender, not only in the division but in the AFC and across the NFL as a whole. A loss would hand Cincinnati the division lead and the momentum heading into the second half of the season.
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