Final2021 Week 3

Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers, Week 3 2021

Cincinnati Bengals

AwayWon

24

Pittsburgh Steelers

Home

10

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Bengals7710024
Steelers070310

CIN 24PIT 10 Final

  • Passing leader

    Ben Roethlisberger

    PIT · QB

    15.2PPR pts

    38/58, 318 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Najee Harris

    PIT · RB

    28.2PPR pts

    14 ATT, 40 YDS, 14 REC, 102 REC YDS

  • Steelers leader

    Chase Claypool

    PIT · WR

    18.6PPR pts

    9 REC, 96 YDS

  • Defensive playmaker

    Logan Wilson

    CIN

    2 INT, 14 TKL

Bengals 24, Steelers 10: Cincinnati leads from start to finish

Cincinnati led 14–7 at halftime and outscored Pittsburgh 10–3 after the break to win 24–10. Pittsburgh outgained the Bengals 342–268, but the Bengals averaged 6.4 yards per play.

The Steelers went 9-for-19 on third down and committed two turnovers.

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

  • +2.0 yards/play CIN 6.4 · PIT 4.4
  • +1 turnover margin CIN 1 · PIT 2 turnovers

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Bengal or Steeler on your fantasy team?

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Why the Bengals Won

Cincinnati won the efficiency and turnover battles.

Team stats comparison, Bengals vs Steelers
BengalsStatSteelers
6.4Yards per play4.4
1Turnovers2
Other team stats
268Total yards342
42Plays77
33%Third-down conversion47%
24:38Time of possession35:22

Scoring Summary

The Bengals scored three touchdowns and one field goal; the Steelers scored one touchdown and one field goal.

Scoring plays, Bengals vs Steelers
TimeTeamPlayCINPIT
1st quarter
2:54CINJoe Burrow → Tyler Boyd, 17-yard TD Takes leadEvan McPherson XP70
2nd quarter
1:04PITBen Roethlisberger → Pat Freiermuth, 4-yard TD Ties gameChris Boswell XP77
0:37CINJoe Burrow → Ja'Marr Chase, 34-yard TD Takes leadEvan McPherson XP147
3rd quarter
8:47CINEvan McPherson 43-yard FG Extends lead177
6:18CINJoe Burrow → Ja'Marr Chase, 9-yard TD Extends leadEvan McPherson XP247
4th quarter
8:09PITChris Boswell 26-yard FG2410

Fantasy Points: Bengals vs Steelers, Week 3 2021

Fantasy leaders

  1. Najee HarrisPITRB28.2 PTSRB1
  2. Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR22.5 PTSWR7
  3. Joe BurrowCINQB18.6 PTSQB16
  4. Chase ClaypoolPITWR18.6 PTSWR17

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Ben RoethlisbergerPITQB15.2QB2038/583181215070.9
Joe BurrowCINQB18.6QB1614/1817231570122.9Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Najee HarrisPITRB28.2RB1RB1440019141020Start/Sit →
Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR22.5WR7WR———54652Start/Sit →
Chase ClaypoolPITWR18.6WR17WR———159960
Tyler BoydCINWR13.6WR30WR———64361
Pat FreiermuthPITTE11.2TE11TE———53221Start/Sit →
Joe MixonCINRB10.4RB29RB189001140
JuJu Smith-SchusterPITWR5.5WR72WR———43250
Ray-Ray McCloudPITWR5.3WR73WR———43330
James WashingtonPITWR5.0WR79WR———53200
Chris EvansCINRB4.6RB48RB———22260
Cody WhitePITWR3.7WR89WR———22170Start/Sit →
Mike ThomasCINWR2.9WR98WR———11190
Auden TateCINWR2.4WR102WR———11140
Samaje PerineCINRB1.7RB62RB1-101180Start/Sit →
Eric EbronPITTE0.0—TE———3000
C.J. UzomahCINTE0.0—TE———1000

Fantasy Usage

Cincinnati Bengals

Snap Share

  1. Ja'Marr ChaseWR39 snaps83%
  2. Tyler BoydWR37 snaps79%
  3. Joe MixonRB35 snaps74%
  4. C.J. UzomahTE33 snaps70%
  5. Auden TateWR27 snaps57%

Target Share18 targets

  1. Tyler Boyd33%, 6 targets
  2. Ja'Marr Chase28%, 5 targets
  3. Chris Evans11%, 2 targets
  4. C.J. Uzomah6%, 1 targets
  5. Mike Thomas6%, 1 targets
  6. Other17%, 3 targets

Carry Share24 carries

  1. Joe Mixon75%, 18 carries
  2. Joe Burrow21%, 5 carries
  3. Samaje Perine4%, 1 carries

Pittsburgh Steelers

Snap Share

  1. Najee HarrisRB79 snaps95%
  2. Chase ClaypoolWR76 snaps92%
  3. James WashingtonWR66 snaps80%
  4. Eric EbronTE47 snaps57%
  5. Ray-Ray McCloudWR47 snaps57%

Target Share57 targets

  1. Najee Harris33%, 19 targets
  2. Chase Claypool26%, 15 targets
  3. James Washington9%, 5 targets
  4. Pat Freiermuth9%, 5 targets
  5. JuJu Smith-Schuster7%, 4 targets
  6. Other16%, 9 targets

Carry Share15 carries

  1. Najee Harris93%, 14 carries
  2. Ben Roethlisberger7%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Najee HarrisPITRB7995%1933%14
Chase ClaypoolPITWR7692%1526%0
Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR3983%528%0
James WashingtonPITWR6680%59%0
Tyler BoydCINWR3779%633%0
Joe MixonCINRB3574%16%18
C.J. UzomahCINTE3370%16%0
Auden TateCINWR2757%16%0
Eric EbronPITTE4757%35%0
Ray-Ray McCloudPITWR4757%47%0
Drew SampleCINTE2145%00%0
JuJu Smith-SchusterPITWR3340%47%0
Pat FreiermuthPITTE3036%59%0
Samaje PerineCINRB1021%16%1
Zach GentryPITTE1720%00%0
Trenton IrwinCINWR613%00%0
Cody WhitePITWR911%24%0
Chris EvansCINRB511%211%0
Stanley MorganCINWR36%00%0
Mitchell WilcoxCINTE24%00%0

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.

Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Najee HarrisPIT · RB28.241.0−12.895%93% car—01493%1933%
Ben RoethlisbergerPIT · QB15.226.2−11.0100%58 att—5817%00%
Chase ClaypoolPIT · WR18.625.3−6.792%26% tgt—000%1526%
Joe MixonCIN · RB10.413.2−2.874%75% car—01875%16%
Joe BurrowCIN · QB18.611.1+7.5100%18 att—18521%00%
Tyler BoydCIN · WR13.610.1+3.579%33% tgt—000%633%
Ja'Marr ChaseCIN · WR22.58.4+14.183%28% tgt—000%528%
James WashingtonPIT · WR5.08.4−3.480%9% tgt—000%59%
Pat FreiermuthPIT · TE11.28.4+2.836%9% tgt—000%59%
JuJu Smith-SchusterPIT · WR5.56.7−1.240%7% tgt—000%47%
Ray-Ray McCloud IIIPIT · WR6.36.7−0.457%7% tgt—000%47%
Eric EbronPIT · TE0.05.1−5.157%5% tgt—000%35%
Chris EvansCIN · RB4.63.4+1.211%11% tgt—000%211%
Cody WhitePIT · WR3.73.4+0.311%3% tgt—000%23%
Samaje PerineCIN · RB1.72.3−0.621%6% tgt—014%16%
Auden TateCIN · WR2.41.7+0.757%6% tgt—000%16%
C.J. UzomahCIN · TE0.01.7−1.770%6% tgt—000%16%
Derek WattPIT · RB1.31.7−0.4—2% tgt—000%12%
Mike ThomasCIN · WR2.91.7+1.2—6% tgt—000%16%

Team totals: Bengals 18 targets and 24 carries; Steelers 58 targets and 15 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

Joe Burrow Ran hot

CIN · QB · 18.6 pts on 11.1 expected

14 of 18 passing for 172 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception; 5 carries for 7 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 11.1 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Joe Burrow →

Ben Roethlisberger Unlucky

PIT · QB · 15.2 pts on 26.2 expected

38 of 58 passing for 318 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions; 1 carry for 5 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 26.2 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Joe Mixon Volume, no payoff

CIN · RB · 10.4 pts on 13.2 expected

1 target (6% of the team's), 1 catch for 4 yards; 18 carries (75% of the team's) for 90 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 13.2 expected.

Tyler Boyd Strong role

CIN · WR · 13.6 pts on 10.1 expected

6 targets (33% of the team's), 4 catches for 36 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 10.1 expected.

Najee Harris Volume, no payoff

PIT · RB · 28.2 pts on 41.0 expected

19 targets (33% of the team's), 14 catches for 102 yards; 14 carries (93% of the team's) for 40 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 41.0 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Trend: Season high in targets (19).

Start/Sit: Najee Harris →

Chase Claypool Unlucky

PIT · WR · 18.6 pts on 25.3 expected

15 targets (26% of the team's), 9 catches for 96 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 25.3 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Trend: Season high in targets (15).

Ja'Marr Chase Ran hot

CIN · WR · 22.5 pts on 8.4 expected

5 targets (28% of the team's), 4 catches for 65 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 8.4 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Ja'Marr Chase →

Eric Ebron Unlucky

PIT · TE · 0.0 pts on 5.1 expected

3 targets (5% of the team's), 0 catches for 0 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 5.1 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Stock up: Auden Tate played 57% of the snaps, up from a 10% season average.

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Stock up: Chase Claypool played 92% of the snaps, up from a 72% season average.
  • Stock up: James Washington played 80% of the snaps, up from a 24% season average.
  • Stock up: Ray-Ray McCloud III played 57% of the snaps, up from a 3% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

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

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Bengals defense and Steelers defense
Points allowed toBengals DSteelers D
QBs16.017.1
RBs24.525.6
WRs31.730.8
TEs14.710.8

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

How the Game Swung

Pittsburgh opened at 57% win probability and fell below 2% in the third quarter.

Steelers win probability

Steelers win probability by game minuteSteelers started at 57%, stood at 28% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 6 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. −23Burrow → Boyd, 17-yd TD57% → 34%Q1 2:54
  2. +27Roethlisberger → Freiermuth, 4-yd TD28% → 55%Q2 1:04
  3. −28Burrow → Chase, 34-yd TD55% → 28%Q2 0:37
  4. −10McPherson 43-yd FG24% → 14%Q3 8:47
  5. −11Burrow → Chase, 9-yd TD13% → 2%Q3 6:18

Swing in Steelers win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Bengals vs Steelers
Cincinnati BengalsMeasurePittsburgh Steelers
42Plays77
43%Pass rate81%
9.6Yds / dropback4.8
4.0Yds / carry3.0
3/9Third downs9/19

Efficiency edge Cincinnati ran 35 fewer plays but gained 4.8 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • CIN Boyd 33% · Chase 28% · Evans 11%
  • PIT Harris 33% · Claypool 26% · Washington 9%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Bengals vs Steelers
ResultCINPIT
Touchdowns31
Field goals11
Punts54
Turnovers12
Turnovers on downs02
Missed field goals01

CIN turnover edge: +1

  • The Bengals opened the scoring on their third possession, a 6-play, 42-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
All 23 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
PITQ1 15:00342:00Punt
CINQ1 13:00342:12Punt
PITQ1 10:483-132:17Punt
CINQ1 8:31260:54Interception
PITQ1 7:373-30:52Interception
CINQ1 6:456423:51Touchdown
PITQ1 2:548295:30Punt
CINQ2 12:244302:48Punt
PITQ2 9:3615868:32Touchdown
CINQ2 1:043750:27Touchdown
PITQ2 0:37320:22Punt
CINQ2 0:151-120:15End of half
CINQ3 15:0010556:13Field goal
PITQ3 8:47360:56Interception
CINQ3 7:513191:33Touchdown
PITQ3 6:187521:56Missed FG
CINQ3 4:22362:10Punt
PITQ3 2:1218889:03Field goal
CINQ4 8:09371:44Punt
PITQ4 6:2512733:23Downs
CINQ4 3:02381:08Punt
PITQ4 1:54480:31Downs
CINQ4 1:232-21:23End of game
About these numbers

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.

Bengals vs Steelers Head-to-Head

The Bengals and Steelers 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 Bengals win
42–71988
Largest Steelers win
35–72011

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, Bengals vs Steelers
BengalsStatSteelers
10-7Record9-7-1
27.1Points per game20.2
361.5Yards per game315.4
5.9Yards per play4.8
22.1Points allowed per game23.4
350.8Yards allowed per game361.1

Bengals vs Steelers Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
PIT −2.5Steelers failed to cover by 16.5
Total
42Under: 34 points scored (by 8)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Steelers22.310−12.3
Bengals19.824+4.3

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

Betting Trends

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

Cincinnati Bengals

Against the spread
2–1
Over/under
1–2
ATS as underdog
2–1
ATS on the road
1–1

Pittsburgh Steelers

Against the spread
1–2
Over/under
0–3
ATS as favorite
0–2
ATS as underdog
1–0
ATS at home
0–2

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

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

Bengals vs Steelers 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

Bengals vs Steelers Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Bengals vs Steelers Week 3 game?

The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 24–10 in Week 3 of the 2021 season. The game was played at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA, on September 26, 2021. See the Bengals' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Bengals vs Steelers?

The final score was Bengals 24, Steelers 10. The Bengals led 14–7 at halftime, and the second half went Bengals 10, Steelers 3.

What happened in the Bengals vs Steelers game?

Cincinnati led 14–7 at halftime and outscored Pittsburgh 10–3 after the break to win 24–10. Pittsburgh outgained the Bengals 342–268, but the Bengals averaged 6.4 yards per play. Najee Harris led all players with 14 catches for 102 yards, plus 14 carries for 40 rushing yards. The Steelers committed 2 turnovers, the Bengals 1.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Bengals vs Steelers?

Najee Harris led the game with 28.2 PPR fantasy points, the RB1 of Week 3, on 14 catches for 102 yards, plus 14 carries for 40 rushing yards. Ja'Marr Chase was next with 22.5 (WR7). See Najee Harris's 2021 game log.

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

Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) led all passers with 38 of 58 for 318 yards, a touchdown and 2 interceptions. Joe Mixon (CIN) led in rushing with 18 carries for 90 yards. Najee Harris (PIT) led in receiving with 14 catches for 102 yards.

How many fantasy points did Najee Harris score against the Bengals?

Najee Harris scored 28.2 points in PPR leagues, 21.2 in half-PPR and 14.2 in standard scoring against the Bengals in Week 3 of the 2021 season, on 14 catches for 102 yards, plus 14 carries for 40 rushing yards. He drew 33% of his team's targets.

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

Ja'Marr Chase outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 22.5 PPR points on 8.4 xFP (+14.1). Najee Harris fell furthest short, with 28.2 points on 41.0 xFP (−12.8). 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 24–10 because they averaged 6.4 yards per play to 4.4 and won the turnover battle 2–1.

Which team won the turnover battle in Bengals vs Steelers?

The Bengals won the turnover battle 2–1: the Steelers gave the ball away 2 times and the Bengals 1 time. The Bengals won the game.

What is the all-time Bengals vs Steelers 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 Bengals and Steelers last play before this game?

Before Week 3 of 2021, they last met in the 2020 season on December 21, 2020, when the Bengals beat the Steelers 27–17.

Have the Bengals and Steelers met in the playoffs?

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

What was the closing spread for Bengals vs Steelers?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Steelers −2.5, making the Pittsburgh Steelers 2.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 42. That implied about 22.3 points for the Steelers and 19.8 for the Bengals.

Did Bengals vs Steelers go over or under the total?

The game went under. The consensus closing total was 42, and the teams combined for 34 points, 8 under the number.

Who covered the spread in Bengals vs Steelers?

The Bengals covered as 2.5-point underdogs against the closing line of Steelers −2.5. The final margin was 14 points.