The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Cincinnati Bengals in a crucial AFC North rematch on Sunday, aiming to rebound from a recent loss and avenge their 33-31 defeat in Week 7. Both teams face significant injuries, with the Steelers missing cornerback Darius Slay and outside linebacker Alex Highsmith, while the Bengals are without pass rushers Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart. Roster elevations and strategic adjustments will shape the matchup at Acrisure Stadium.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4) welcome the Cincinnati Bengals (3-6, 2-0 in division) to Acrisure Stadium for Week 11 on November 16, 2025, in a rematch of their Week 7 thriller where the Bengals edged out a 33-31 victory. That game exposed Steelers defensive vulnerabilities, as Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns, while receiver Ja'Marr Chase caught 16 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown on 23 targets. Tee Higgins added six receptions for 96 yards and a score on 10 targets.
Steelers Defensive Adjustments
Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt emphasized improvements against the run, noting the Bengals rushed for 149 yards in the first meeting, led by Chase Brown's 108 yards on 10.8 yards per carry. 'Playing the run gives you the opportunity to play the pass,' Watt said. The Steelers rank improved recently, holding Jonathan Taylor under 50 yards in Week 9. With Highsmith out due to a pectoral injury—his third missed game—Nick Herbig steps in as starter after a $6,656 fine for a hip-drop tackle in Week 10. Cornerback James Pierre emerges as an X-factor, earning a 78.9 PFF grade last week with two pass breakups and five tackles; he's allowed just four completions on 13 targets for 33 yards this season.
Injuries sideline Slay (concussion) and inside linebacker Cole Holcomb (illness, third straight game), prompting elevations of cornerback D'Shawn Jamison and linebacker Mark Robinson from the practice squad. Guard Isaac Seumalo is questionable with a pectoral injury.
Bengals Challenges
The Bengals elevate defensive end Isaiah Foskey and running back Kendall Milton, placing Stewart on injured reserve (knee) and ruling out Hendrickson (hip/pelvis), Perine (ankle), and receiver Jermaine Burton (illness). Their defense ranks last overall and 30th against the pass, setting up a potential bounce-back for Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers after a poor Week 10 (161 yards, two interceptions).
Former quarterback Chase Daniel predicts a 21-17 Steelers win, citing Rodgers getting 'back on track.' Tight end Pat Freiermuth, with five catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns against the Bengals in Week 7, could see more involvement to aid third-down conversions (7-for-33 last three games). Former cornerback Aqib Talib believes the Steelers will limit Chase's targets, forcing throws elsewhere.