Final2023 Week 16

Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers, Week 16 2023

Cincinnati Bengals

Away

11

Pittsburgh Steelers

HomeWon

34

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Bengals0011011
Steelers7177334

CIN 11PIT 34 Final

  • Passing leader

    Jake Browning

    CIN · QB

    16.4PPR pts

    28/42, 335 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    George Pickens

    PIT · WR

    35.5PPR pts

    4 REC, 195 YDS, 2 TD

  • Bengals leader

    Tee Higgins

    CIN · WR

    25.0PPR pts

    5 REC, 140 YDS, 1 TD

  • Defensive playmaker

    Alex Highsmith

    PIT

    1 INT, 1 SACK, 1 TKL

Steelers 34, Bengals 11: Pittsburgh leads from start to finish

Pittsburgh led 24–0 at halftime after a 17-point second quarter and won 34–11, though Cincinnati took the second half 11–10. The Steelers finished with a 397–368 edge in total offense and averaged 6.8 yards per play.

Cincinnati didn't get on the board until the third quarter.

The gap showed up everywhere. The Bengals went 6-for-13 on third down and committed three turnovers, while the Steelers finished without a giveaway.

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 6.8 · CIN 6.0
  • +3 turnover margin PIT 0 turnovers
  • +29 total yards PIT 397 · CIN 368

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Bengal or Steeler 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, turnover, and third-down battles.

Team stats comparison, Bengals vs Steelers
BengalsStatSteelers
6.0Yards per play6.8
3Turnovers0
368Total yards397
Other team stats
61Plays58
46%Third-down conversion50%
31:49Time of possession28:11

Scoring Summary

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

Scoring plays, Bengals vs Steelers
TimeTeamPlayCINPIT
1st quarter
10:45PITMason Rudolph → George Pickens, 86-yard TD Takes leadChris Boswell XP07
2nd quarter
14:21PITCalvin Austin III 7-yard TD run Extends leadChris Boswell XP014
7:06PITNajee Harris 3-yard TD run Extends leadChris Boswell XP021
0:00PITChris Boswell 50-yard FG Extends lead024
3rd quarter
11:11CINJake Browning → Tee Higgins, 80-yard TDJake Browning → Joe Mixon, 2-pt conversion824
9:38PITMason Rudolph → George Pickens, 66-yard TD Extends leadChris Boswell XP831
0:00CINEvan McPherson 35-yard FG1131
4th quarter
6:57PITChris Boswell 30-yard FG Extends lead1134

Fantasy Points: Bengals vs Steelers, Week 16 2023

Fantasy leaders

  1. George PickensPITWR35.5 PTSWR2
  2. Tee HigginsCINWR25.0 PTSWR10
  3. Mason RudolphPITQB20.0 PTSQB13
  4. Jake BrowningCINQB16.4 PTSQB21

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Jake BrowningCINQB16.4QB2128/423351310069.0
Mason RudolphPITQB20.0QB1317/2729020240124.0Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
George PickensPITWR35.5WR2WR———641952Start/Sit →
Tee HigginsCINWR25.0WR10WR———851401Start/Sit →
Najee HarrisPITRB13.8RB19RB19781————Start/Sit →
Tyler BoydCINWR10.9WR36WR———75590
Jaylen WarrenPITRB10.4RB29RB824065300Start/Sit →
Joe MixonCINRB9.0RB35RB114304270
Trenton IrwinCINWR7.7WR55WR———44370
Andrei IosivasCINWR7.6WR57WR———84360
Allen RobinsonPITWR7.6WR56WR———44360
Drew SampleCINTE6.8TE29TE———33380Start/Sit →
Calvin AustinPITWR6.7WR67WR1712000
Chase BrownCINRB4.4RB50RB41602280Start/Sit →
Diontae JohnsonPITWR3.5WR84WR———52150
Darnell WashingtonPITTE1.8TE49TE———1180Start/Sit →
Miles BoykinPITWR1.6WR110WR———1160
Mitchell WilcoxCINTE1.6TE54TE———1160
Tanner HudsonCINTE1.5TE56TE———2150
Charlie JonesCINWR0.9WR122WR———11-10Start/Sit →

Fantasy Usage

Cincinnati Bengals

Snap Share

  1. Tee HigginsWR52 snaps81%
  2. Tyler BoydWR51 snaps80%
  3. Andrei IosivasWR46 snaps72%
  4. Joe MixonRB38 snaps59%
  5. Drew SampleTE35 snaps55%

Target Share40 targets

  1. Tee Higgins20%, 8 targets
  2. Andrei Iosivas20%, 8 targets
  3. Tyler Boyd18%, 7 targets
  4. Joe Mixon10%, 4 targets
  5. Trenton Irwin10%, 4 targets
  6. Other23%, 9 targets

Carry Share16 carries

  1. Joe Mixon69%, 11 carries
  2. Chase Brown25%, 4 carries
  3. Jake Browning6%, 1 carries

Pittsburgh Steelers

Snap Share

  1. George PickensWR46 snaps78%
  2. Allen RobinsonWR40 snaps68%
  3. Diontae JohnsonWR37 snaps63%
  4. Pat FreiermuthTE37 snaps63%
  5. Jaylen WarrenRB34 snaps58%

Target Share25 targets

  1. George Pickens24%, 6 targets
  2. Jaylen Warren24%, 6 targets
  3. Diontae Johnson20%, 5 targets
  4. Allen Robinson16%, 4 targets
  5. Calvin Austin8%, 2 targets
  6. Other8%, 2 targets

Carry Share30 carries

  1. Najee Harris63%, 19 carries
  2. Jaylen Warren27%, 8 carries
  3. Mason Rudolph7%, 2 carries
  4. Calvin Austin3%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Tee HigginsCINWR5281%820%0
Tyler BoydCINWR5180%718%0
George PickensPITWR4678%624%0
Andrei IosivasCINWR4672%820%0
Allen RobinsonPITWR4068%416%0
Diontae JohnsonPITWR3763%520%0
Pat FreiermuthPITTE3763%00%0
Joe MixonCINRB3859%410%11
Jaylen WarrenPITRB3458%624%8
Drew SampleCINTE3555%38%0
Tanner HudsonCINTE3250%25%0
Darnell WashingtonPITTE2949%14%0
Najee HarrisPITRB2644%00%19
Trenton IrwinCINWR2641%410%0
Miles BoykinPITWR1729%14%0
Connor HeywardPITRB1424%00%0
Mitchell WilcoxCINTE1523%13%0
Chase BrownCINRB1422%25%4
Calvin AustinPITWR1119%28%1
Charlie JonesCINWR711%13%0
Trayveon WilliamsCINRB35%00%0
Rodney WilliamsPITTE23%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.

  • Biggest overperformer+25.5George Pickens35.5 PTS vs 10.0 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−5.8Andrei Iosivas7.6 PTS vs 13.4 xFP
  • Highest expected volume18.3 xFPJake Browning16.4 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Jake BrowningCIN · QB16.418.3−1.9100%42 att—4216%00%
Jaylen WarrenPIT · RB10.414.9−4.558%27% car—0827%624%
Andrei IosivasCIN · WR7.613.4−5.872%20% tgt—000%820%
Joe MixonCIN · RB9.013.4−4.459%69% car—01169%410%
Tee HigginsCIN · WR25.013.4+11.681%20% tgt—000%820%
Mason RudolphPIT · QB20.012.6+7.4100%27 att—2727%00%
Najee HarrisPIT · RB13.811.7+2.144%63% car—01963%00%
Tyler BoydCIN · WR10.911.7−0.880%18% tgt—000%718%
George PickensPIT · WR35.510.0+25.578%24% tgt—000%624%
Diontae JohnsonPIT · WR3.58.3−4.863%20% tgt—000%520%
Allen RobinsonPIT · WR7.66.7+0.968%16% tgt—000%416%
Trenton IrwinCIN · WR7.76.7+1.041%10% tgt—000%410%
Chase BrownCIN · RB4.45.8−1.422%25% car—0425%25%
Drew SampleCIN · TE6.85.0+1.855%8% tgt—000%38%
Calvin Austin IIIPIT · WR6.74.0+2.719%8% tgt—013%28%
Tanner HudsonCIN · TE1.53.3−1.850%5% tgt—000%25%
Charlie JonesCIN · WR0.91.7−0.811%3% tgt—000%13%
Darnell WashingtonPIT · TE1.81.7+0.149%4% tgt—000%14%
Miles BoykinPIT · WR1.61.7−0.129%4% tgt—000%14%
Mitchell WilcoxCIN · TE1.61.7−0.123%3% tgt—000%13%

Team totals: Bengals 40 targets and 16 carries; Steelers 25 targets and 30 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

Jake Browning

CIN · QB · 16.4 pts on 18.3 expected

28 of 42 passing for 335 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions; 1 carry for 0 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 18.3 expected.

Mason Rudolph Ran hot

PIT · QB · 20.0 pts on 12.6 expected

17 of 27 passing for 290 yards, 2 touchdowns; 2 carries for 4 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 12.6 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Mason Rudolph →

Andrei Iosivas Unlucky

CIN · WR · 7.6 pts on 13.4 expected

8 targets (20% of the team's), 4 catches for 36 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 13.4 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Joe Mixon Volume, no payoff

CIN · RB · 9.0 pts on 13.4 expected

4 targets (10% of the team's), 2 catches for 7 yards; 11 carries (69% of the team's) for 43 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 13.4 expected.

Jaylen Warren

PIT · RB · 10.4 pts on 14.9 expected

6 targets (24% of the team's), 5 catches for 30 yards; 8 carries (27% of the team's) for 24 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 14.9 expected.

Start/Sit: Jaylen Warren →

Najee Harris Strong role

PIT · RB · 13.8 pts on 11.7 expected

19 carries (63% of the team's) for 78 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 11.7 expected.

Start/Sit: Najee Harris →

Tee Higgins Ran hot

CIN · WR · 25.0 pts on 13.4 expected

8 targets (20% of the team's), 5 catches for 140 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 13.4 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Tee Higgins →

George Pickens Ran hot

PIT · WR · 35.5 pts on 10.0 expected

6 targets (24% of the team's), 4 catches for 195 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 10.0 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: George Pickens →

Stock Up, Stock Down

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Stock up: Andrei Iosivas played 72% of the snaps, up from a 17% season average.
  • Stock up: Tanner Hudson played 50% of the snaps, up from a 32% season average.

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Stock up: Jaylen Warren led the backfield with 58% of the snaps after trailing Najee Harris before this game.
  • Stock up: Miles Boykin played 29% of the snaps, up from a 11% season average.
  • Stock down: Najee Harris lost the backfield lead: 44% of the snaps to Jaylen Warren's 58%.

Fantasy Matchups

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

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Bengals defense and Steelers defense
Points allowed toBengals DSteelers D
QBs17.715.0
RBs20.320.3
WRs33.932.1
TEs14.512.4

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

How the Game Swung

Pittsburgh opened at 50% win probability and passed 98% before halftime on the way to the win.

Steelers win probability

Steelers win probability by game minuteSteelers started at 50%, stood at 99% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 8 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +20Rudolph → Pickens, 86-yd TD50% → 70%Q1 10:45
  2. +16Austin 7-yd TD run73% → 89%Q2 14:21
  3. +7Harris 3-yd TD run91% → 98%Q2 7:06
  4. −3Browning → Higgins, 80-yd TD>99% → 96%Q3 11:11
  5. +3Rudolph → Pickens, 66-yd TD97% → >99%Q3 9:38

Swing in Steelers win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Bengals vs Steelers
Cincinnati BengalsMeasurePittsburgh Steelers
61Plays58
74%Pass rate48%
6.9Yds / dropback10.1
3.7Yds / carry3.8
6/13Third downs7/14

Efficiency edge Pittsburgh ran 3 fewer plays but gained 3.2 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • CIN Iosivas 20% · Higgins 20% · Boyd 18%
  • PIT Pickens 24% · Warren 24% · Johnson 20%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Bengals vs Steelers
ResultCINPIT
Touchdowns14
Field goals12
Punts35
Turnovers30
Turnovers on downs20

PIT turnover edge: +3

  • The Steelers opened the scoring on their first possession, a 2-play, 92-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Steelers scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives.
All 22 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
CINQ1 15:006223:23Punt
PITQ1 11:372920:52Touchdown
CINQ1 10:4510595:44Interception
PITQ1 5:0110805:40Touchdown
CINQ2 14:213-91:09Punt
PITQ2 13:12532:12Punt
CINQ2 11:004112:19Interception
PITQ2 8:414141:35Touchdown
CINQ2 7:068704:52Downs
PITQ2 2:1412642:14Field goal
PITQ3 15:006203:38Punt
CINQ3 11:221800:11Touchdown
PITQ3 11:113751:33Touchdown
CINQ3 9:388433:00Downs
PITQ3 6:383-21:30Punt
CINQ3 5:0812515:08Field goal
PITQ4 15:00361:33Punt
CINQ4 13:272-91:01Interception
PITQ4 12:269315:29Field goal
CINQ4 6:576204:00Punt
PITQ4 2:57341:55Punt
CINQ4 1:022151:02End 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 2023 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Bengals vs Steelers
BengalsStatSteelers
9-8Record10-7
21.5Points per game17.9
318.9Yards per game304.3
5.2Yards per play5.0
22.6Points allowed per game19.1
374.6Yards allowed per game342.1

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

2023 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Bengals vs Steelers Game FAQ

Who won the 2023 Bengals vs Steelers Week 16 game?

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 34–11 in Week 16 of the 2023 season. The game was played at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA, on December 23, 2023. See the Steelers' 2023 schedule.

What was the final score of Bengals vs Steelers?

The final score was Steelers 34, Bengals 11. The Steelers led 24–0 at halftime, and the second half went Bengals 11, Steelers 10.

What happened in the Bengals vs Steelers game?

Pittsburgh led 24–0 at halftime after a 17-point second quarter and won 34–11, though Cincinnati took the second half 11–10. The Steelers finished with a 397–368 edge in total offense and averaged 6.8 yards per play. George Pickens led all players with 4 catches for 195 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Bengals committed 3 turnovers, the Steelers none.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Bengals vs Steelers?

George Pickens led the game with 35.5 PPR fantasy points, the WR2 of Week 16, on 4 catches for 195 yards and 2 touchdowns. Tee Higgins was next with 25.0 (WR10). See George Pickens's 2023 game log.

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

Jake Browning (CIN) led all passers with 28 of 42 for 335 yards, a touchdown and 3 interceptions. Najee Harris (PIT) led in rushing with 19 carries for 78 yards and a touchdown. George Pickens (PIT) led in receiving with 4 catches for 195 yards and 2 touchdowns.

How many fantasy points did George Pickens score against the Bengals?

George Pickens scored 35.5 points in PPR leagues, 33.5 in half-PPR and 31.5 in standard scoring against the Bengals in Week 16 of the 2023 season, on 4 catches for 195 yards and 2 touchdowns. He drew 24% of his team's targets.

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

George Pickens outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 35.5 PPR points on 10.0 xFP (+25.5). Andrei Iosivas fell furthest short, with 7.6 points on 13.4 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 Bengals vs Steelers?

Jake Browning had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 18.3 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 16.4. 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 34–11 because they averaged 6.8 yards per play to 6.0, won the turnover battle 3–0, and outgained them 397–368.

Which team won the turnover battle in Bengals vs Steelers?

The Steelers won the turnover battle 3–0: the Bengals gave the ball away 3 times and the Steelers not at all. The Steelers 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 16 of 2023, they last met in the 2023 season on November 26, 2023, when the Steelers beat the Bengals 16–10.

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 is the Bengals vs Steelers record since 2021?

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