Final2021 Week 12

Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals, Week 12 2021

Pittsburgh Steelers

Away

10

Cincinnati Bengals

HomeWon

41

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Steelers300710
Bengals10213741

PIT 10CIN 41 Final

  • Passing leader

    Ben Roethlisberger

    PIT · QB

    10.5PPR pts

    24/41, 263 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Joe Mixon

    CIN · RB

    32.3PPR pts

    28 ATT, 165 YDS, 2 TD, 4 REC, -2 REC YDS

  • Steelers leader

    Diontae Johnson

    PIT · WR

    18.5PPR pts

    9 REC, 95 YDS

  • Defensive playmaker

    Mike Hilton

    CIN

    1 INT, 1 TD, 4 TKL

Bengals 41, Steelers 10: Cincinnati leads from start to finish

Cincinnati led 31–3 at halftime after a 21-point second quarter and outscored Pittsburgh 10–7 after the break to win 41–10. The Bengals finished with a 370–301 edge in total offense and averaged 5.7 yards per play.

The Steelers went 7-for-13 on third down and committed three turnovers, while the Bengals kept the ball for 35:20.

The two teams meet again in Week 10 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

  • +0.6 yards/play CIN 5.7 · PIT 5.1
  • +2 turnover margin CIN 1 · PIT 3 turnovers
  • +69 total yards CIN 370 · PIT 301

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Steeler or Bengal on your fantasy team?

Check their next matchup with the Start/Sit Tool, compare their value in the Fantasy Trade Calculator, or connect your league for personalized advice in Redraft Command.

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Why the Bengals Won

Cincinnati won the efficiency, turnover, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Steelers vs Bengals
SteelersStatBengals
5.1Yards per play5.7
3Turnovers1
301Total yards370
Other team stats
59Plays65
54%Third-down conversion45%
24:40Time of possession35:20

Scoring Summary

The Bengals scored five touchdowns and two field goals; the Steelers scored one touchdown and one field goal.

Scoring plays, Steelers vs Bengals
TimeTeamPlayPITCIN
1st quarter
9:29CINJoe Burrow 8-yard TD run Takes leadEvan McPherson XP07
6:01CINEvan McPherson 31-yard FG Extends lead010
2:17PITChris Boswell 40-yard FG310
2nd quarter
14:15CINJoe Burrow → Tee Higgins, 32-yard TD Extends leadEvan McPherson XP317
2:43CINJoe Mixon 1-yard TD run Extends leadEvan McPherson XP324
0:30CINMike Hilton 24-yard interception return TD Extends leadEvan McPherson XP331
3rd quarter
2:35CINEvan McPherson 51-yard FG Extends lead334
4th quarter
13:10CINJoe Mixon 1-yard TD run Extends leadEvan McPherson XP341
2:59PITBen Roethlisberger → Pat Freiermuth, 15-yard TDChris Boswell XP1041

Fantasy Points: Steelers vs Bengals, Week 12 2021

Fantasy leaders

  1. Joe MixonCINRB32.3 PTSRB2
  2. Tee HigginsCINWR23.4 PTSWR2
  3. Diontae JohnsonPITWR18.5 PTSWR11
  4. Joe BurrowCINQB17.4 PTSQB10

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Ben RoethlisbergerPITQB8.5QB2824/4126312———65.4
Joe BurrowCINQB17.4QB1020/241901118196.2Start/Sit →
Brandon AllenCINQB-0.1—0/10001-1039.6

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Joe MixonCINRB32.3RB2RB28165244-20
Tee HigginsCINWR23.4WR2WR———861141Start/Sit →
Diontae JohnsonPITWR18.5WR11WR———149950
Pat FreiermuthPITTE14.0TE8TE———44401Start/Sit →
Chase ClaypoolPITWR11.2WR33WR———83820
Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR6.9WR53WR———33390Start/Sit →
Najee HarrisPITRB6.7RB39RB823053140Start/Sit →
C.J. UzomahCINTE3.9TE31TE———3390
Chris EvansCINRB3.8RB50RB52301150
Kalen BallagePITRB3.7RB52RB32102160
Tyler BoydCINWR3.3WR83WR———22130
Samaje PerineCINRB2.5RB59RB33011120Start/Sit →
Anthony McFarlandPITRB2.3RB61RB22011110
Zach GentryPITTE2.0TE43TE———21100
James WashingtonPITWR1.3WR106WR———2130
Anthony MillerPITWR1.2WR108WR———1120
Benny SnellPITRB0.5RB71RB250————
Mike ThomasCINWR0.0—WR———1000
Stanley MorganCINWR0.0—WR———1000

Fantasy Usage

Pittsburgh Steelers

Snap Share

  1. Diontae JohnsonWR61 snaps98%
  2. Chase ClaypoolWR61 snaps98%
  3. Pat FreiermuthTE47 snaps76%
  4. Najee HarrisRB36 snaps58%
  5. James WashingtonWR27 snaps44%

Target Share39 targets

  1. Diontae Johnson36%, 14 targets
  2. Chase Claypool21%, 8 targets
  3. Najee Harris13%, 5 targets
  4. Pat Freiermuth10%, 4 targets
  5. Kalen Ballage5%, 2 targets
  6. Other15%, 6 targets

Carry Share15 carries

  1. Najee Harris53%, 8 carries
  2. Kalen Ballage20%, 3 carries
  3. Benny Snell13%, 2 carries
  4. Anthony McFarland13%, 2 carries

Cincinnati Bengals

Snap Share

  1. Tyler BoydWR52 snaps76%
  2. Ja'Marr ChaseWR52 snaps76%
  3. Joe MixonRB49 snaps72%
  4. C.J. UzomahTE45 snaps66%
  5. Tee HigginsWR43 snaps63%

Target Share24 targets

  1. Tee Higgins33%, 8 targets
  2. Joe Mixon17%, 4 targets
  3. C.J. Uzomah13%, 3 targets
  4. Ja'Marr Chase13%, 3 targets
  5. Tyler Boyd8%, 2 targets
  6. Other17%, 4 targets

Carry Share38 carries

  1. Joe Mixon74%, 28 carries
  2. Chris Evans13%, 5 carries
  3. Samaje Perine8%, 3 carries
  4. Brandon Allen3%, 1 carries
  5. Joe Burrow3%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Diontae JohnsonPITWR6198%1436%0
Chase ClaypoolPITWR6198%821%0
Tyler BoydCINWR5276%28%0
Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR5276%313%0
Pat FreiermuthPITTE4776%410%0
Joe MixonCINRB4972%417%28
C.J. UzomahCINTE4566%313%0
Tee HigginsCINWR4363%833%0
Najee HarrisPITRB3658%513%8
Drew SampleCINTE3957%00%0
James WashingtonPITWR2744%25%0
Anthony MillerPITWR2540%13%0
Zach GentryPITTE2235%25%0
Stanley MorganCINWR2232%14%0
Anthony McFarlandPITRB1219%13%2
Samaje PerineCINRB1015%14%3
Chris EvansCINRB913%14%5
Kalen BallagePITRB813%25%3

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+9.9Tee Higgins23.4 PTS vs 13.5 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−7.5Ben Roethlisberger10.5 PTS vs 18.0 xFP
  • Highest expected volume24.7 xFPJoe Mixon32.3 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Joe MixonCIN · RB32.324.7+7.672%74% car—02874%417%
Diontae JohnsonPIT · WR18.523.6−5.198%36% tgt—000%1436%
Ben RoethlisbergerPIT · QB10.518.0−7.5100%41 att—4100%00%
Najee HarrisPIT · RB6.713.6−6.958%53% car—0853%513%
Chase ClaypoolPIT · WR11.213.5−2.398%21% tgt—000%821%
Tee HigginsCIN · WR23.413.5+9.963%33% tgt—000%833%
Joe BurrowCIN · QB17.411.2+6.285%24 att—2413%00%
Pat FreiermuthPIT · TE14.06.7+7.376%10% tgt—000%410%
Kalen BallagePIT · RB3.75.3−1.613%20% car—0320%25%
C.J. UzomahCIN · TE3.95.1−1.266%13% tgt—000%313%
Ja'Marr ChaseCIN · WR6.95.1+1.876%13% tgt—000%313%
Chris EvansCIN · RB3.84.9−1.113%13% car—0513%14%
Samaje PerineCIN · RB2.53.6−1.115%8% car—038%14%
James WashingtonPIT · WR1.33.4−2.144%5% tgt—000%25%
Tyler BoydCIN · WR3.33.4−0.176%8% tgt—000%28%
Zach GentryPIT · TE2.03.4−1.435%5% tgt—000%25%
Anthony McFarland Jr.PIT · RB2.33.0−0.719%13% car—0213%13%
Anthony MillerPIT · WR1.21.7−0.540%3% tgt—000%13%
Mike ThomasCIN · WR0.01.7−1.7—4% tgt—000%14%
Stanley Morgan Jr.CIN · WR0.01.7−1.732%4% tgt—000%14%
Benny Snell Jr.PIT · RB0.51.3−0.8—13% car—0213%00%
Brandon AllenCIN · QB-0.11.1−1.215%1 att—113%00%

Team totals: Steelers 39 targets and 15 carries; Bengals 24 targets and 38 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Ben Roethlisberger Unlucky

PIT · QB · 10.5 pts on 18.0 expected

24 of 41 passing for 263 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 18.0 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Joe Burrow Ran hot

CIN · QB · 17.4 pts on 11.2 expected

20 of 24 passing for 190 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception; 1 carry for 8 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 11.2 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Joe Burrow →

Diontae Johnson Volume, no payoff

PIT · WR · 18.5 pts on 23.6 expected

14 targets (36% of the team's), 9 catches for 95 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 23.6 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Najee Harris Unlucky

PIT · RB · 6.7 pts on 13.6 expected

5 targets (13% of the team's), 3 catches for 14 yards; 8 carries (53% of the team's) for 23 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 13.6 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Najee Harris →

Joe Mixon Ran hot

CIN · RB · 32.3 pts on 24.7 expected

4 targets (17% of the team's), 4 catches for -2 yards; 28 carries (74% of the team's) for 165 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 24.7 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Tee Higgins Ran hot

CIN · WR · 23.4 pts on 13.5 expected

8 targets (33% of the team's), 6 catches for 114 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 13.5 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Tee Higgins →

Pat Freiermuth Ran hot

PIT · TE · 14.0 pts on 6.7 expected

4 targets (10% of the team's), 4 catches for 40 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 6.7 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Pat Freiermuth →

Chase Claypool

PIT · WR · 11.2 pts on 13.5 expected

8 targets (21% of the team's), 3 catches for 82 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 13.5 expected.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Stock up: Chase Claypool played 98% of the snaps, up from a 81% season average.
  • Stock up: Pat Freiermuth played 76% of the snaps, up from a 58% season average.
  • Stock down: Najee Harris played 58% of the snaps, down from a 85% season average.

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Stock up: Stanley Morgan Jr. played 32% of the snaps, up from a 11% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Steelers defense and Bengals defense
Points allowed toSteelers DBengals D
QBs17.116.0
RBs25.624.5
WRs30.831.7
TEs10.814.7

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Cincinnati opened at 60% win probability and passed 98% before halftime on the way to the win.

Bengals win probability

Bengals win probability by game minuteBengals started at 60%, stood at >99% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 9 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +19Burrow 8-yd TD run60% → 79%Q1 9:29
  2. +6McPherson 31-yd FG79% → 85%Q1 6:01
  3. −6Boswell 40-yd FG86% → 79%Q1 2:17
  4. +13Burrow → Higgins, 32-yd TD80% → 92%Q2 14:15
  5. +4Mixon 1-yd TD run94% → 99%Q2 2:43

Swing in Bengals win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Steelers vs Bengals
Pittsburgh SteelersMeasureCincinnati Bengals
59Plays65
75%Pass rate42%
5.7Yds / dropback6.4
3.4Yds / carry5.2
7/13Third downs5/11

Efficiency edge Cincinnati ran 6 more plays and gained 0.7 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • PIT Johnson 36% · Claypool 21% · Harris 13%
  • CIN Higgins 33% · Mixon 17% · Uzomah 13%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Steelers vs Bengals
ResultPITCIN
Touchdowns14
Field goals12
Punts53
Turnovers31

CIN turnover edge: +2

  • The Bengals opened the scoring on their first possession, a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Bengals scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives.
All 22 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
CINQ1 15:0010755:31Touchdown
PITQ1 9:293141:33Interception
CINQ1 7:564-81:55Field goal
PITQ1 6:018533:44Field goal
CINQ1 2:176753:02Touchdown
PITQ2 14:157283:57Punt
CINQ2 10:1814847:35Touchdown
PITQ2 2:43390:55Punt
CINQ2 1:486351:11Interception
PITQ2 0:37100:07Interception
PITQ2 0:302-90:30End of half
PITQ3 15:006172:49Punt
CINQ3 12:11583:44Punt
PITQ3 8:275272:04Fumble
CINQ3 6:238123:48Field goal
PITQ3 2:35321:28Punt
CINQ3 1:075652:57Touchdown
PITQ4 13:106282:34Punt
CINQ4 10:366204:25Punt
PITQ4 6:119693:12Touchdown
CINQ4 2:59311:12Punt
PITQ4 1:477481:47End of game
About these numbers

The Bengals' interception touchdown is counted as a Steelers interception, not as a Bengals possession. Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Steelers vs Bengals Head-to-Head

The Steelers and Bengals first met in 1970 and have played 114 times since. They have been AFC North rivals since 1970.

All-time series
73–41Steelers lead, 114 meetings since 1970
Postseason
2–0Steelers won in 2005 and 2015
Largest Steelers win
35–72011
Largest Bengals win
42–71988

Since 2021

6–5 Steelers lead

11 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. S = Steelers win, B = Bengals win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

  • Week 10 Steelers at Bengals Upcoming

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Steelers vs Bengals
SteelersStatBengals
9-7-1Record10-7
20.2Points per game27.1
315.4Yards per game361.5
4.8Yards per play5.9
23.4Points allowed per game22.1
361.1Yards allowed per game350.8

Steelers vs Bengals Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
CIN −3.5Bengals covered by 27.5
Total
43.5Over: 51 points scored (by 7.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Bengals23.541+17.5
Steelers20.010−10.0

The Bengals beat their implied total and the Steelers fell short of theirs; the Fantasy tab has the player lines behind it.

Betting Trends

Last 2 meetings: Bengals 2–0 ATS, overs and unders 1–1.

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Against the spread
4–7
Over/under
4–6–1
ATS as favorite
0–5
ATS as underdog
4–2
ATS on the road
3–2

Cincinnati Bengals

Against the spread
6–5
Over/under
5–6
ATS as favorite
3–3
ATS as underdog
3–2
ATS at home
2–3

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Steelers vs Bengals Fantasy Outlook for 2026

One meeting is left on the 2026 schedule: Week 10 in Cincinnati. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Steelers vs Bengals Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Steelers vs Bengals Week 12 game?

The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 41–10 in Week 12 of the 2021 season. The game was played at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH, on November 28, 2021. See the Bengals' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Steelers vs Bengals?

The final score was Bengals 41, Steelers 10. The Bengals led 31–3 at halftime, and the second half went Steelers 7, Bengals 10.

What happened in the Steelers vs Bengals game?

Cincinnati led 31–3 at halftime after a 21-point second quarter and outscored Pittsburgh 10–7 after the break to win 41–10. The Bengals finished with a 370–301 edge in total offense and averaged 5.7 yards per play. Joe Mixon led all players with 4 catches for -2 yards, plus 28 carries for 165 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. The Steelers committed 3 turnovers, the Bengals 1.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Steelers vs Bengals?

Joe Mixon led the game with 32.3 PPR fantasy points, the RB2 of Week 12, on 4 catches for -2 yards, plus 28 carries for 165 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Tee Higgins was next with 23.4 (WR2).

Who led Steelers vs Bengals in passing, rushing and receiving?

Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) led all passers with 24 of 41 for 263 yards, a touchdown and 2 interceptions. Joe Mixon (CIN) led in rushing with 28 carries for 165 yards and 2 touchdowns. Tee Higgins (CIN) led in receiving with 6 catches for 114 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Joe Mixon score against the Steelers?

Joe Mixon scored 32.3 points in PPR leagues, 30.3 in half-PPR and 28.3 in standard scoring against the Steelers in Week 12 of the 2021 season, on 4 catches for -2 yards, plus 28 carries for 165 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. He handled 74% of his team's carries.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Steelers vs Bengals?

Tee Higgins outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 23.4 PPR points on 13.5 xFP (+9.9). Ben Roethlisberger fell furthest short, with 10.5 points on 18.0 xFP (−7.5). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the Bengals beat the Steelers?

The Bengals beat the Steelers 41–10 because they averaged 5.7 yards per play to 5.1, won the turnover battle 3–1, and outgained them 370–301.

Which team won the turnover battle in Steelers vs Bengals?

The Bengals won the turnover battle 3–1: the Steelers gave the ball away 3 times and the Bengals 1 time. The Bengals won the game.

What is the all-time Steelers vs Bengals record?

The Steelers lead the all-time series 73–41 across 114 meetings since 1970, including a 2–0 record in the postseason.

When did the Steelers and Bengals last play before this game?

Before Week 12 of 2021, they last met in the 2021 season on September 26, 2021, when the Bengals beat the Steelers 24–10.

Have the Steelers and Bengals met in the playoffs?

Yes, 2 times, most recently in the 2015 playoffs. The Steelers are 2–0 against the Bengals in the postseason.

What was the closing spread for Steelers vs Bengals?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Bengals −3.5, making the Cincinnati Bengals 3.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 43.5. That implied about 23.5 points for the Bengals and 20.0 for the Steelers.

Did Steelers vs Bengals go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 43.5, and the teams combined for 51 points, 7.5 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Steelers vs Bengals?

The Bengals covered by 27.5 against the closing line of Bengals −3.5. The final margin was 31 points.