Thursday Night Football kicks off Week 7 as the Cincinnati Bengals host the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 PM ET, with Pittsburgh favored by 5.5 points and the total set at 44.5. The Steelers enter at 4-1 and sit atop the AFC North, while the Bengals are 2-4 and searching for consistency after a rough start to the season.
This game marks the first AFC North primetime matchup of the year for both teams. The Steelers are 2-0 on the road and have won 12 of their last 15 games in Cincinnati. The Bengals, meanwhile, have dropped four straight overall but hope that veteran quarterback Joe Flacco can stabilize the offense in his second start with the team. Pittsburgh comes in off a 23-9 win over Cleveland, while Cincinnati fell 27-18 at Green Bay.
Bengals Preview – Flacco Looks to Jumpstart Cincinnati
The Bengals’ offense has been inconsistent all year, ranking 29th in total yards at 277.8 per game. With Joe Burrow sidelined after toe surgery, the team turned to Jake Browning before trading for Joe Flacco earlier this month. Flacco’s debut last week showed flashes of improvement, as he threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns without an interception against the Packers. Both scores came on fourth down, showing that Cincinnati is willing to take more risks with the veteran under center.
Flacco’s biggest challenge will be avoiding Pittsburgh’s pressure. The Steelers average 1.8 sacks per game, and T.J. Watt remains one of the league’s most disruptive defenders. Cincinnati’s offensive line has struggled to protect the quarterback, allowing 16 sacks through six games. The Bengals will need to rely on short passing to limit hits on Flacco while mixing in Joe Mixon on the ground to balance the attack.
Injuries have been another major concern for Cincinnati. Pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is questionable with a hip issue, while both tight ends Mike Gesicki (pectoral) and Tanner Hudson (concussion) are out. Rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart is expected to return after missing four games, but his snap count could be limited. The Bengals defense is surrendering 394.2 yards per game and ranks 31st against the pass, allowing 258.5 yards through the air. That spells trouble against an experienced quarterback like Rodgers.
Steelers Preview – Rodgers and Defense in Control
Pittsburgh enters Week 7 with confidence after handling Cleveland with ease in Week 6. Aaron Rodgers continues to lead one of the most balanced teams in the league. He’s thrown for 10 touchdowns against just three interceptions this season, posting a 103.5 passer rating. In his last outing, he completed 70% of his passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns, showing great chemistry with wideout DK Metcalf and tight end Pat Freiermuth.
The Steelers’ offense has been efficient if not explosive. They rank middle of the pack in scoring at 23.8 points per game but have converted well in the red zone. The run game, however, has been inconsistent, averaging just 84 rushing yards per contest. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren will be key in establishing tempo against a Cincinnati defense that gives up 135.7 rushing yards per game—one of the worst marks in football.
Defensively, the Steelers have been dominant. They allow just 193.8 passing yards per game and are one of the league’s top teams at limiting big plays. The secondary, led by Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay, has combined for six interceptions already. Linebacker Micah Parsons continues to be a force off the edge, and the front seven has been effective at containing mobile quarterbacks. Special teams remain solid, with kicker Chris Boswell converting 81.8% of his field goals and the coverage units ranking top-10 in fewest return yards allowed.
Key Matchups to Watch
The quarterback battle between Rodgers and Flacco headlines this game. Both are over 40 years old, marking just the third time in NFL history two starting QBs of that age have met in a regular-season game. Rodgers has been efficient and steady, while Flacco is still learning the Bengals’ system after being traded less than two weeks ago. Whichever veteran makes fewer mistakes will likely dictate the outcome.
Another critical matchup is Pittsburgh’s pass rush against Cincinnati’s offensive line. The Bengals have had issues keeping their quarterbacks upright, and the Steelers rank among the top ten in QB pressures per game. If Watt and Cameron Heyward can collapse the pocket early, it will limit Flacco’s ability to stretch the field and force shorter throws.
On the other side, Cincinnati’s secondary will be tested by Pittsburgh’s deep passing attack. Rodgers has been connecting with Metcalf and George Pickens on big plays, and the Bengals’ pass defense ranks near the bottom of the league. Without Hendrickson at full strength, Cincinnati may have to blitz more often, which could leave them vulnerable in coverage.
Betting Trends
The Steelers are 3-2 against the spread this season and 2-0 ATS on the road. They’ve covered in four of their last five meetings with Cincinnati. The Bengals are 2-4 ATS and have failed to cover in three straight home games. The under has hit in five of the last seven meetings between these teams, including four straight games played in Cincinnati.
Pittsburgh has also been one of the league’s better first-half teams, outscoring opponents 13.6 to 7.8 before halftime this year. Cincinnati, meanwhile, tends to start slow, ranking 29th in first-half points. That makes the Steelers first-half line another angle worth considering for bettors.
Betting Prediction
Pittsburgh has the better quarterback, defense, and overall balance. The Steelers are disciplined, averaging fewer than six penalties per game, and have dominated this rivalry on the road. Cincinnati’s offensive line and injury issues will make it tough to sustain drives, and Flacco will likely face heavy pressure for most of the night.
Expect the Steelers’ defense to control the pace and Rodgers to hit key throws off play-action. The Bengals may find a few late scores in garbage time, but the Steelers should win this one comfortably. The total could stay just under 44.5 if Pittsburgh leans on ball control in the second half.
Pick: Steelers -5.5
Predicted Score: Steelers 24, Bengals 16
“`
