Bengals vs. Steelers TNF Recap: Key Moments and Final Score Breakdown
Bengals edge Steelers 33–31 in a TNF thriller. Joe Flacco delivers a vintage performance as Pittsburgh’s defense collapses late in a crucial AFC North clash.
Thursday Night Football gave fans a memorable clash as Steelers vs Bengals 2025 delivered a 33–31 thriller. In this AFC North showdown, the Steelers vs Bengals matchup showcased Joe Flacco’s vintage form
This game had everything — big throws, defensive swings, emotional moments, and playoff implications. Here’s a complete breakdown of how it unfolded.
The night began with a loud statement from the Steelers. Aaron Rodgers, in his first TNF appearance with Pittsburgh, orchestrated an opening drive that looked vintage Green Bay — quick reads, precise throws, and smart tempo. Pittsburgh marched down the field for a 10–0 lead, seemingly putting the Bengals on their heels early.
But Joe Flacco and the Bengals answered back with calm precision. In his 40s but playing like it was 2012 again, Flacco led a 12-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 14-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins. The crowd roared back to life, and from that point on, the game turned into a back-and-forth slugfest.
By halftime, the Steelers led 17–13, but Cincinnati had momentum. Flacco’s ability to read Pittsburgh’s zone coverages was key; he repeatedly found soft spots, particularly on third downs, to keep drives alive.
The second half featured explosive plays on both sides. Rodgers hit Calvin Austin III for a 39-yard bomb that set up a quick touchdown. T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward combined for a drive-killing sack on Flacco. But the Bengals never blinked. Ja’Marr Chase’s yards-after-catch brilliance and Joe Mixon’s bruising runs began to wear down Pittsburgh’s defense.
With under two minutes to play, Evan McPherson drilled a 36-yard field goal, putting Cincinnati ahead 33–31. Pittsburgh had one final possession, but Rodgers was sacked on second down, hurried on third, and forced to throw a desperation pass that fell incomplete on fourth down—ball game. Bengals win.
Joe Flacco’s Vintage Performance Lifts Bengals Past Steelers
Joe Flacco was the story of the night. Signed midseason, many wondered if the veteran still had anything left to offer, and Thursday night answered that question emphatically.
Flacco finished with 341 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, completing 72% of his passes. What stood out wasn’t just the stat line — it was how comfortable he looked in Zac Taylor’s offense, commanding the pocket, manipulating safeties, and picking apart blitzes.
The Bengals’ offensive line gave him just enough time, and Flacco rewarded them with anticipatory throws that repeatedly beat Pittsburgh’s coverage. On third downs, he was surgical — completing 8 of 10 attempts for 121 yards and two scores.
His connection with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins seemed to have been built over years, not weeks. Chase caught eight passes for 112 yards and a touchdown, while Higgins added six receptions for 78 yards and a score. It was a classic veteran quarterback + elite young receivers formula that few expected to click so quickly.
Perhaps the most iconic moment came in the fourth quarter: facing third-and-12 with the game tied, Flacco stood tall in the pocket as Watt closed in and delivered a perfect strike to Chase on a deep in-breaker. That throw set up McPherson’s game-winning kick.
Steelers Defense Falters Late as Cincinnati Seals the Win
The Steelers built their season on defense. Coming into this matchup, Pittsburgh’s unit ranked top-5 against the run and had generated a turnover in every game. For three quarters, they largely held up — bottling Joe Mixon early, forcing Cincinnati into brutal third downs, and sacking Flacco twice.
Then, the dam broke.
In the fourth quarter, the Bengals outgained the Steelers 154–43, with Flacco completing seven straight passes to set up back-to-back scoring drives. Pittsburgh’s linebackers struggled to keep up in coverage, and their safeties were repeatedly caught in no-man’s land by play-action fakes.
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin took responsibility postgame, calling the late collapse “unacceptable” — a word echoed by multiple players in the locker room. T.J. Watt still had a standout performance, finishing with two sacks, 4 QB hits, and a forced fumble, but the secondary couldn’t contain Cincinnati’s aerial attack.
The loss raises serious questions about Pittsburgh’s ability to close out games against elite quarterbacks. With the playoffs approaching, this could be a concerning trend.
Aaron Rodgers and T.J. Watt Headline Steelers’ Key Performances
Despite the defeat, there were bright spots for the Steelers. Aaron Rodgers looked efficient in his best performance since joining the team. He threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns, spreading the ball to seven different receivers. His deep timing with Calvin Austin III and George Pickens is improving every week, which bodes well for the long term.
Rodgers’ only blemish came on a third-quarter interception, when Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt jumped a slant route. That turnover led to a Cincinnati touchdown drive and swung momentum.
On defense, T.J. Watt continues to be a game-wrecker. His two sacks moved him closer to the league lead, and his forced fumble in the third quarter set up a short-field touchdown for Pittsburgh. Even in defeat, Watt was arguably the best defender on the field.
Special teams also had their moment — Chris Boswell nailed a 52-yarder in the second quarter, and rookie returner Anthony McFarland broke a 48-yard kickoff return that set up a scoring drive.
Evan McPherson’s Game-Winning Kick Decides the AFC North Thriller
When the Bengals needed him most, Evan McPherson delivered. Known for his clutch kicking, McPherson calmly knocked through the 36-yard game-winner with 1:48 left on the clock.
It wasn’t his first key moment of the night either. He hit a 51-yarder just before halftime to keep Cincinnati within striking distance and was perfect on extra points.
After the game, McPherson credited Flacco for keeping the offense composed and giving him a “makeable kick.” The young kicker has become one of the Bengals’ most reliable weapons, and his leg could prove critical as the AFC North race tightens.
Pittsburgh vs. Cincinnati Player Stats: Top Performers on Both Sides
Cincinnati Bengals
- Joe Flacco — 28/39, 341 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
- Ja’Marr Chase — 8 rec, 112 yards, 1 TD
- Tee Higgins — 6 rec, 78 yards, 1 TD
- Joe Mixon — 19 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD
- Evan McPherson — 2/2 FG, including game-winner
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Aaron Rodgers — 22/31, 278 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
- Calvin Austin III — 4 rec, 95 yards, 1 TD
- George Pickens — 6 rec, 72 yards
- Najee Harris — 15 carries, 67 yards, 1 TD
- T.J. Watt — 2 sacks, 4 QB hits, 1 FF
These numbers tell the story: Cincinnati’s passing game was sharper, and its kicker sealed the difference.
Bengals’ Offensive Strategy Outshines Steelers’ Defense
Zac Taylor deserves credit for how he schemed this game. Rather than leaning too heavily on Joe Mixon early — something many expected — he trusted Flacco to run quick-hitting concepts that neutralized the Steelers’ pass rush.
By getting the ball out in 2.3 seconds on average, Cincinnati prevented Watt and Heyward from taking over. In the second half, Taylor sprinkled in timely draws and delayed handoffs that gashed Pittsburgh’s tiring front.
The Steelers, meanwhile, stuck to their base coverages late, rarely disguising pre-snap looks. Flacco feasted on those predictable shells. Pittsburgh’s lack of in-game adjustments was glaring — something head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged postgame, saying, “We didn’t close the door when we had the chance.”
TNF Takeaways: What This 33–31 Clash Means for the AFC North Standings
This win has massive implications for the AFC North. The Bengals (5–2) now pull within half a game of the division lead, while the Steelers (5–2) drop a crucial tiebreaker. With the Ravens also in the mix, every divisional game matters.
For Cincinnati, this was a statement win. Flacco’s performance proves they have a capable veteran who can guide a playoff push. Their offense looked balanced, creative, and dangerous. If the defense tightens up, the Bengals suddenly appear to be legitimate contenders in the AFC again.
For Pittsburgh, it’s a wake-up call. Their formula of defense + efficiency + special teams almost worked — but against elite QB play, “almost” isn’t enough. Rodgers is settling in, but the defense must find ways to finish games.
The Steelers will host the Browns next week, a matchup that now takes on added urgency. The Bengals travel to Kansas City for a heavyweight showdown against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs — a game that could tell us just how high this team’s ceiling truly is.
Final Thoughts
Thursday Night Football doesn’t consistently deliver classics — but this one did. Bengals 33, Steelers 31 will be remembered as the night Joe Flacco turned back the clock, the Steelers’ defense blinked late, and Evan McPherson calmly iced the game.
Both teams remain firmly in the playoff picture, but the Bengals walked away with the kind of gritty, emotional win that can shape a season. As the AFC North race intensifies, this game could prove to be a pivotal turning point.
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