Steelers at Bengals: Warren's rushing test meets Burrow's passing game with the AFC North lead at stake

Chris Boswell tied the teams' first meeting with a fourth-quarter field goal, then kicked the winner as Pittsburgh beat Cincinnati 30-27 on September 27. The rematch finds them level at the top of the AFC North. The Steelers have allowed 18 points per game and built much of their offense around Jaylen Warren's rushing. The Bengals lead the league in passing yards per game. Sunday's winner will take sole possession of first place, with plenty of the regular season still to play.

• Competition: NFL 2026 regular season, Week 10.
• Game: Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) at Cincinnati Bengals (6-2).
• Venue: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio; the Bengals are at home.
• Kickoff: Sunday, November 15, at 8:20 p.m. EST (01:20 UTC Monday, November 16).

The same streak, different routes to four wins

Pittsburgh enters off its Week 9 bye. Before the break, it beat Cleveland 27-6 for a fourth straight win. Warren ran for 143 yards in that game, while T.J. Watt had two sacks. Through eight games, Warren has 704 rushing yards and Watt has 7.5 sacks. NFL figures put the Steelers at 117.9 rushing yards per game and their defense at 83.9 rushing yards allowed, third best in the league. Those strengths can shorten the game and keep Aaron Rodgers from having to match Cincinnati throw for throw.

The Bengals have also won four in a row, most recently beating Atlanta 34-17 in Madrid. Joe Burrow completed 24 of 29 passes there for 271 yards and three touchdowns, and added a rushing score. He has 2,386 passing yards, 23 touchdown passes and six interceptions this season. Ja'Marr Chase caught 10 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons; Tee Higgins had two touchdown catches. Cincinnati averages 30 points and a league-leading 285.5 passing yards per game, alongside 85.6 rushing yards.

Third down captures the contrast. The Bengals have converted 53.6% of their attempts, best in the NFL's Week 10 figures; the Steelers are at 37.9%. If Burrow sustains drives, Warren will see fewer possessions. If Pittsburgh's defense gets off the field, its rushing game has a better chance to set the pace. The outcome depends on execution, not just the season averages.

What the September meeting revealed

Rodgers threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns in the first game. Warren had 176 yards from scrimmage, including 127 on the ground. Burrow answered with 282 passing yards and three scores; Chase and Higgins each caught a touchdown. Boswell's late kicks separated the teams. Cincinnati's defense has allowed 126.6 rushing yards per game this season, 25th in the league, so slowing Warren is a direct test of the Bengals' ability to change that matchup at home.

At the other end, Pittsburgh's 26 sacks face an offensive line that has allowed just 15. Watt and the Steelers' front need to disturb Burrow without losing track of Chase and Higgins. The receivers have seven and six touchdown catches, respectively. If Burrow gets time to work through his reads, he has already shown he can move the ball against this defense. If pressure arrives quickly, the Bengals' league-leading passing output may be harder to reproduce.

Availability could change both plans. Cincinnati has ruled out safety Kyle Dugger with a quadriceps injury. Cornerback Jalen Davis, receiver Andrei Iosivas and guard Brian Parker II are doubtful, even though all three practiced fully Friday; each is on injured reserve and would need to be activated to play. Pittsburgh defensive tackle Derrick Harmon was a full participant Friday after missing four games, but he is questionable and also needs activation. A full practice does not settle Sunday's active roster.

Injury report and availability

These are the teams' final Friday, November 13 designations. Game-day active lists can still change the picture.

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Derrick Harmon: questionable with a foot injury; on injured reserve and would need activation.
• Ben Skowronek: practiced fully following a calf injury and has no final game designation. He has missed four games; his status still depends on the active list.
• DeShon Elliott and Brandin Echols: full participants Friday with no final game designation.

Cincinnati Bengals

• Kyle Dugger: out with a quadriceps injury.
• Jalen Davis: doubtful with a hamstring injury; on injured reserve and would need activation.
• Andrei Iosivas: doubtful with a thumb injury; on injured reserve and would need activation.
• Brian Parker II: doubtful with a knee injury; on injured reserve and would need activation.
• DJ Turner II and Dylan Fairchild: full participants Friday with no final game designation.

How to watch Steelers at Bengals

• Venue: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati.
• Kickoff: Sunday, November 15, 8:20 p.m. EST. Pregame coverage may begin earlier.

United States

• TV: NBC nationwide, including WLWT Channel 5 in Cincinnati. Kickoff is 8:20 p.m. EST / 5:20 p.m. PST.
• Streaming: Peacock lists this game. NFL+ offers live prime-time games on eligible mobile devices under its subscription terms.

Australia

• Time: Monday, November 16, 12:20 p.m. AEDT in Sydney and Melbourne; 11:20 a.m. AEST in Brisbane.
• Streaming: NFL Game Pass on DAZN, listed for this matchup by the Bengals as an international option. No Australian TV channel has been confirmed for this specific game.

United Kingdom

• Time: Monday, November 16, 1:20 a.m. GMT.
• TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports NFL list coverage from 1:10 a.m.; kickoff is ten minutes later.
• Streaming: NFL Game Pass on DAZN. Its Week 10 UK blackout list names two afternoon games, not this Sunday night fixture.

The first meeting came down to Boswell's final kick. This time Pittsburgh will try to take time away from a Bengals offense that converts more than half of its third downs, while Cincinnati will have to show it can contain Warren without handing Rodgers easier passing chances.