Final2023 Week 12

Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals, Week 12 2023

Pittsburgh Steelers

AwayWon

16

Cincinnati Bengals

Home

10

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Steelers037616
Bengals070310

PIT 16CIN 10 Final

  • Passing leader

    Kenny Pickett

    PIT · QB

    11.6PPR pts

    24/33, 278 YDS

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Pat Freiermuth

    PIT · TE

    21.0PPR pts

    9 REC, 120 YDS

  • Bengals leader

    Jake Browning

    CIN · QB

    13.0PPR pts

    19/26, 227 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT

  • Defensive playmaker

    Trenton Thompson

    PIT

    1 INT, 5 TKL

Steelers 16, Bengals 10: Pittsburgh rallies from 4 down at halftime

Pittsburgh erased a 7–3 halftime deficit, outscoring Cincinnati 13–3 after the break to win 16–10. The Steelers finished with a 421–222 edge in total offense and averaged 6.2 yards per play.

The Bengals went 2-for-10 on third down and committed one turnover, while the Steelers kept the ball for 37:17.

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

  • +0.8 yards/play PIT 6.2 · CIN 5.4
  • +199 total yards PIT 421 · CIN 222
  • +27% third-down rate PIT 47% · CIN 20%

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 Steelers Won

Pittsburgh won the efficiency, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Steelers vs Bengals
SteelersStatBengals
6.2Yards per play5.4
421Total yards222
47%Third-down conversion20%
Other team stats
68Plays41
1Turnovers1
37:17Time of possession22:43

Scoring Summary

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

Scoring plays, Steelers vs Bengals
TimeTeamPlayPITCIN
1st quarter
No scoring
2nd quarter
12:39PITChris Boswell 41-yard FG Takes lead30
10:30CINJake Browning → Drew Sample, 11-yard TD Takes leadEvan McPherson XP37
3rd quarter
1:34PITNajee Harris 5-yard TD run Takes leadChris Boswell XP107
4th quarter
8:03PITChris Boswell 34-yard FG Extends lead137
2:51PITChris Boswell 33-yard FG Extends lead167
2:04CINEvan McPherson 47-yard FG1610

Fantasy Points: Steelers vs Bengals, Week 12 2023

Fantasy leaders

  1. Pat FreiermuthPITTE21.0 PTSTE1
  2. Najee HarrisPITRB15.9 PTSRB14
  3. Jake BrowningCINQB13.0 PTSQB18
  4. Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR12.1 PTSWR33

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Kenny PickettPITQB11.6QB2124/332780055097.8Start/Sit →
Jake BrowningCINQB13.0QB1819/262271139096.2

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Pat FreiermuthPITTE21.0TE1TE———1191200Start/Sit →
Najee HarrisPITRB15.9RB14RB15991————Start/Sit →
Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR12.1WR33WR———64810Start/Sit →
Diontae JohnsonPITWR9.0WR47WR———84500
George PickensPITWR8.8WR48WR———53580Start/Sit →
Drew SampleCINTE8.1TE18TE———11111Start/Sit →
Joe MixonCINRB8.0RB36RB816022440
Jaylen WarrenPITRB7.2RB41RB1349033130Start/Sit →
Tanner HudsonCINTE5.8TE23TE———54180
Tyler BoydCINWR5.3WR78WR———53230
Trenton IrwinCINWR3.5WR89WR———11250
Connor HeywardPITRB3.1RB54RB———22110Start/Sit →
Irv SmithCINTE2.8TE37TE———2280
Andrei IosivasCINWR2.6WR100WR———21160
Allen RobinsonPITWR2.1WR105WR———11110
Darnell WashingtonPITTE2.0TE45TE———11100Start/Sit →
Calvin AustinPITWR1.5WR115WR———1150
Mitchell WilcoxCINTE1.1TE55TE———1110

Fantasy Usage

Pittsburgh Steelers

Snap Share

  1. George PickensWR53 snaps75%
  2. Diontae JohnsonWR52 snaps73%
  3. Allen RobinsonWR45 snaps63%
  4. Pat FreiermuthTE42 snaps59%
  5. Najee HarrisRB38 snaps54%

Target Share32 targets

  1. Pat Freiermuth34%, 11 targets
  2. Diontae Johnson25%, 8 targets
  3. George Pickens16%, 5 targets
  4. Jaylen Warren9%, 3 targets
  5. Connor Heyward6%, 2 targets
  6. Other9%, 3 targets

Carry Share33 carries

  1. Najee Harris45%, 15 carries
  2. Jaylen Warren39%, 13 carries
  3. Kenny Pickett15%, 5 carries

Cincinnati Bengals

Snap Share

  1. Ja'Marr ChaseWR38 snaps88%
  2. Trenton IrwinWR31 snaps72%
  3. Joe MixonRB28 snaps65%
  4. Tyler BoydWR27 snaps63%
  5. Drew SampleTE19 snaps44%

Target Share25 targets

  1. Ja'Marr Chase24%, 6 targets
  2. Tyler Boyd20%, 5 targets
  3. Tanner Hudson20%, 5 targets
  4. Joe Mixon8%, 2 targets
  5. Irv Smith8%, 2 targets
  6. Other20%, 5 targets

Carry Share11 carries

  1. Joe Mixon73%, 8 carries
  2. Jake Browning27%, 3 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR3888%624%0
George PickensPITWR5375%516%0
Diontae JohnsonPITWR5273%825%0
Trenton IrwinCINWR3172%14%0
Joe MixonCINRB2865%28%8
Allen RobinsonPITWR4563%13%0
Tyler BoydCINWR2763%520%0
Pat FreiermuthPITTE4259%1134%0
Najee HarrisPITRB3854%00%15
Darnell WashingtonPITTE3752%13%0
Jaylen WarrenPITRB3448%39%13
Drew SampleCINTE1944%14%0
Irv SmithCINTE1637%28%0
Connor HeywardPITRB2434%26%0
Andrei IosivasCINWR1433%28%0
Tanner HudsonCINTE1330%520%0
Mitchell WilcoxCINTE1228%14%0
Calvin AustinPITWR1825%13%0
Trayveon WilliamsCINRB819%00%0
Miles BoykinPITWR811%00%0
Charlie JonesCINWR49%00%0
Rodney WilliamsPITTE46%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%
Pat FreiermuthPIT · TE21.018.4+2.659%34% tgt—000%1134%
Kenny PickettPIT · QB11.617.0−5.4100%33 att—33515%00%
Diontae JohnsonPIT · WR9.013.4−4.473%25% tgt—000%825%
Jaylen WarrenPIT · RB7.213.0−5.848%39% car—01339%39%
Jake BrowningCIN · QB13.012.8+0.2100%26 att—26327%00%
Ja'Marr ChaseCIN · WR12.110.0+2.188%24% tgt—000%624%
Najee HarrisPIT · RB15.99.2+6.754%45% car—01545%00%
George PickensPIT · WR8.88.3+0.575%16% tgt—000%516%
Tanner HudsonCIN · TE5.88.3−2.530%20% tgt—000%520%
Tyler BoydCIN · WR5.38.3−3.063%20% tgt—000%520%
Joe MixonCIN · RB8.08.2−0.265%73% car—0873%28%
Andrei IosivasCIN · WR2.63.3−0.733%8% tgt—000%28%
Connor HeywardPIT · RB3.13.3−0.234%6% tgt—000%26%
Irv Smith Jr.CIN · TE2.83.3−0.537%8% tgt—000%28%
Allen RobinsonPIT · WR2.11.7+0.463%3% tgt—000%13%
Calvin Austin IIIPIT · WR1.51.7−0.225%3% tgt—000%13%
Darnell WashingtonPIT · TE2.01.7+0.352%3% tgt—000%13%
Drew SampleCIN · TE8.11.7+6.444%4% tgt—000%14%
Mitchell WilcoxCIN · TE1.11.7−0.628%4% tgt—000%14%
Trenton IrwinCIN · WR3.51.7+1.872%4% tgt—000%14%

Team totals: Steelers 32 targets and 33 carries; Bengals 25 targets and 11 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 2023 season: 1.67 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.61 per carry and 0.42 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Kenny Pickett Unlucky

PIT · QB · 11.6 pts on 17.0 expected

24 of 33 passing for 278 yards; 5 carries for 5 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 17.0 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Kenny Pickett →

Jake Browning

CIN · QB · 13.0 pts on 12.8 expected

19 of 26 passing for 227 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception; 3 carries for 9 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 12.8 expected.

Pat Freiermuth Strong role

PIT · TE · 21.0 pts on 18.4 expected

11 targets (34% of the team's), 9 catches for 120 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 18.4 expected.

Start/Sit: Pat Freiermuth →

Diontae Johnson

PIT · WR · 9.0 pts on 13.4 expected

8 targets (25% of the team's), 4 catches for 50 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 13.4 expected.

Ja'Marr Chase

CIN · WR · 12.1 pts on 10.0 expected

6 targets (24% of the team's), 4 catches for 81 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 10.0 expected.

Start/Sit: Ja'Marr Chase →

Tanner Hudson

CIN · TE · 5.8 pts on 8.3 expected

5 targets (20% of the team's), 4 catches for 18 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 8.3 expected.

Jaylen Warren Unlucky

PIT · RB · 7.2 pts on 13.0 expected

3 targets (9% of the team's), 3 catches for 13 yards; 13 carries (39% of the team's) for 49 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 13.0 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Jaylen Warren →

Najee Harris Ran hot

PIT · RB · 15.9 pts on 9.2 expected

15 carries (45% of the team's) for 99 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 9.2 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Najee Harris →

Stock Up, Stock Down

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Stock down: George Pickens played 75% of the snaps, down from a 91% season average.
  • Stock down: Allen Robinson played 63% of the snaps, down from a 79% season average.
  • Stock down: Calvin Austin III played 25% of the snaps, down from a 45% season average.

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Stock up: Andrei Iosivas played 33% of the snaps, up from a 15% season average.
  • Stock up: Trenton Irwin played 72% of the snaps, up from a 47% season average.
  • Stock down: Tyler Boyd played 63% of the snaps, down from a 85% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2023 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Steelers defense and Bengals defense
Points allowed toSteelers DBengals D
QBs15.017.7
RBs20.320.3
WRs32.133.9
TEs12.414.5

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

How the Game Swung

Cincinnati opened at 50% win probability and fell below 2% in the fourth quarter.

Bengals win probability

Bengals win probability by game minuteBengals started at 50%, stood at 66% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 6 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. −10Boswell 41-yd FG50% → 40%Q2 12:39
  2. +25Browning → Sample, 11-yd TD39% → 64%Q2 10:30
  3. −38Harris 5-yd TD run71% → 34%Q3 1:34
  4. −16Boswell 34-yd FG27% → 11%Q4 8:03
  5. −2Boswell 33-yd FG2% → <1%Q4 2:51

Swing in Bengals win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Steelers vs Bengals
Pittsburgh SteelersMeasureCincinnati Bengals
68Plays41
51%Pass rate73%
7.7Yds / dropback6.6
4.6Yds / carry2.3
8/17Third downs2/10

Efficiency edge Pittsburgh ran 27 more plays and gained 1.1 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • PIT Freiermuth 34% · Johnson 25% · Pickens 16%
  • CIN Chase 24% · Hudson 20% · Boyd 20%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Steelers vs Bengals
ResultPITCIN
Touchdowns11
Field goals31
Punts46
Turnovers11
  • The Steelers opened the scoring on their third possession, a 8-play, 66-yard drive that ended in a field goal.
  • The Steelers drained the clock with two second-half drives of five to eight minutes.
All 20 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
PITQ1 15:004322:51Punt
CINQ1 12:093-31:38Punt
PITQ1 10:3110575:57Fumble
CINQ1 4:344123:11Punt
PITQ1 1:238663:44Field goal
CINQ2 12:394532:09Touchdown
PITQ2 10:304162:14Punt
CINQ2 8:163-41:51Punt
PITQ2 6:255133:09Punt
CINQ2 3:165461:38Punt
PITQ2 1:386331:14Punt
CINQ2 0:241-10:24End of half
CINQ3 15:0010575:36Interception
PITQ3 9:2414797:50Touchdown
CINQ3 1:34423:24Punt
PITQ4 13:1010625:07Field goal
CINQ4 8:033-22:05Punt
PITQ4 5:587523:07Field goal
CINQ4 2:515470:47Field goal
PITQ4 2:043-32:04End 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.

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 2023 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Steelers vs Bengals
SteelersStatBengals
10-7Record9-8
17.9Points per game21.5
304.3Yards per game318.9
5.0Yards per play5.2
19.1Points allowed per game22.6
342.1Yards allowed per game374.6

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

2023 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Steelers vs Bengals Game FAQ

Who won the 2023 Steelers vs Bengals Week 12 game?

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 16–10 in Week 12 of the 2023 season. The game was played at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH, on November 26, 2023. See the Steelers' 2023 schedule.

What was the final score of Steelers vs Bengals?

The final score was Steelers 16, Bengals 10. The Bengals led 7–3 at halftime, and the second half went Steelers 13, Bengals 3.

What happened in the Steelers vs Bengals game?

Pittsburgh erased a 7–3 halftime deficit, outscoring Cincinnati 13–3 after the break to win 16–10. The Steelers finished with a 421–222 edge in total offense and averaged 6.2 yards per play. Pat Freiermuth led all players with 9 catches for 120 yards.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Steelers vs Bengals?

Pat Freiermuth led the game with 21.0 PPR fantasy points, the TE1 of Week 12, on 9 catches for 120 yards. Najee Harris was next with 15.9 (RB14). See Pat Freiermuth's 2023 game log.

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

Kenny Pickett (PIT) led all passers with 24 of 33 for 278 yards. Najee Harris (PIT) led in rushing with 15 carries for 99 yards and a touchdown. Pat Freiermuth (PIT) led in receiving with 9 catches for 120 yards.

How many fantasy points did Pat Freiermuth score against the Bengals?

Pat Freiermuth scored 21.0 points in PPR leagues, 16.5 in half-PPR and 12.0 in standard scoring against the Bengals in Week 12 of the 2023 season, on 9 catches for 120 yards. He drew 34% of his team's targets.

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

Najee Harris outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 15.9 PPR points on 9.2 xFP (+6.7). Jaylen Warren fell furthest short, with 7.2 points on 13.0 xFP (−5.8). 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.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Steelers vs Bengals?

Pat Freiermuth had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 18.4 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 21.0. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Steelers beat the Bengals?

The Steelers beat the Bengals 16–10 because they averaged 6.2 yards per play to 5.4 and outgained them 421–222.

What was the turning point of Steelers vs Bengals?

Najee Harris' 5-yard touchdown run with 1:34 left in the third quarter was the biggest swing of the game, moving the Bengals' win probability from 71% to 34%.

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 2023, they last met in the 2022 season on November 20, 2022, when the Bengals beat the Steelers 37–30.

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 is the Steelers vs Bengals record since 2021?

The Steelers lead 6–5 across 11 meetings since the 2021 season, including this game.