Matt’s Stats: Steelers-Bengals rivalry history and what to watch in Week 10

The Steelers and Bengals meet again as AFC North rivals, a series that dates to 1970 with Pittsburgh holding a 73-41 advantage in head-to-head meetings. In that long history, the teams have played to no ties, and Pittsburgh has won both postseason games between them, in 2006 and 2016.

Recent form has mattered in this matchup as much as the standings. Pittsburgh entered this Week 10 slate having put together an 11-game winning streak that ran from December 2015 through November 2020, while Cincinnati has won 15 of the 55 divisional games played in the 2000s, according to the Steelers’ preview.

The matchup has also included tight replays in the last few years. The teams split their season series last year, marking the third time in four years that they have traded wins, and Pittsburgh also has the most recent win earlier this season at Acrisure Stadium. In the most recent nine meetings, Pittsburgh is 6-3 against Cincinnati.

The Steelers’ preview frames the week’s schematic battles as a challenge in the passing game for Pittsburgh’s defensive backs. It points to a matchup between the Bengals’ wide receivers and Steelers cornerbacks, specifically naming Ja’Marr Chase and highlighting that a strong argument can be made that teammate Tee Higgins has been producing at a high level as well.

Up front, Pittsburgh’s offensive line and Bengals defensive interior are billed as the most consequential cross-match. The preview calls out Steelers offensive center Zach Frazier against Bengals defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, describing Lawrence as an impact player who affects both the run and the pass, while also characterizing Frazier as the toughest interior matchup Lawrence has faced this season so far.

For context, the preview includes a memorable series moment from the 2006 regular season finale at Paul Brown Stadium, when Ben Roethlisberger connected with Santonio Holmes in overtime to keep Cincinnati out of the postseason. It also notes that Bill Cowher’s final Steelers regular-season game ended with Pittsburgh prevailing in a decisive divisional matchup.