Pittsburgh Steelers vs Bengals Match Player Stats: Game Leaders and Standout Plays

The Pittsburgh Steelers vs Bengals match player stats from Week 3 of the 2026 season show two quarterbacks trading touchdowns until the final minutes. Aaron Rodgers threw for 292 yards and three scores, Joe Burrow answered with 282 yards and three scores of his own, and Pittsburgh escaped with a 30-27 win at Acrisure Stadium on September 27, 2026. Jaylen Warren ran for 127 yards, Ja’Marr Chase caught nine passes, and a late Chris Boswell field goal decided the game. This guide breaks down every notable stat line, the plays that moved the score, and what the numbers suggest before the two AFC North rivals meet again on November 15.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Bengals Match Player Stats at a Glance

Aaron Rodgers led all passers with 292 yards and three touchdowns, Jaylen Warren led all rushers with 127 yards, and Ja’Marr Chase led all receivers with nine catches for 98 yards in the Steelers’ 30-27 win over the Bengals. Joe Burrow threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, and Tee Higgins added six catches for 90 yards and a score. Chris Boswell’s 33-yard field goal with 2:15 left put Pittsburgh ahead for good.

This game remains the most recent meeting between the teams as of October 28, 2026. The basic facts are easy to scan:

• Date and time: Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET
• Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh
• Broadcast: CBS
• Attendance: 66,816
• Final score: Steelers 30, Bengals 27

The Steelers improved to 2-1 with the win. The Bengals fell to 2-1 and missed their first chance at a 3-0 start since 2015.

Final Score and Game Flow by Quarter

The Steelers beat the Bengals 30-27 in a game where neither team led by more than seven points at any moment. Pittsburgh scored 14 points in the first quarter, three in the second, seven in the third, and six in the fourth. Cincinnati answered with seven, 10, three, and seven.

Pittsburgh struck first with a four-play, 73-yard drive that ended with a 38-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Roman Wilson. Cincinnati tied it with an 11-play, 73-yard drive, and Rodgers found Ben Skowronek from 23 yards out late in the first quarter to restore the lead. The teams swapped field goals early in the second quarter, and the Bengals tied the game at 17 just before halftime.

The second half stayed just as tight. Evan McPherson gave Cincinnati its first lead with a 38-yard field goal, Rodgers hit DK Metcalf for a short touchdown to flip it back, and Mike Gesicki caught a fourth-quarter touchdown to put the Bengals ahead 27-24. Boswell then kicked two field goals to finish the scoring. Readers who want follow-up coverage after each game can check the Fame Star news section.

Quarterback Stats: Rodgers and Burrow Trade Touchdowns

Aaron Rodgers and Joe Burrow each threw three touchdown passes, but Rodgers produced more yards while Burrow posted the better efficiency numbers. The two lines look close on paper, yet they came from very different games.

Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers completed 19 of 34 passes for 292 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, with a passer rating of 101.6. He averaged 8.6 yards per attempt, hit nine different receivers, and posted a season-high passing total despite his lowest completion count of the first three games. Five of his completions covered at least 22 yards.

His three touchdown passes went to Wilson (38 yards), Skowronek (23 yards), and Metcalf (six yards). The interception came when a pass bounced off Wilson’s hands and into the arms of Bengals safety Jordan Battle, so the miss belonged more to the target than the passer. Rodgers took two sacks for 19 yards and added three rushes for 10 yards. A rebuilt offensive line, which included rookie first-round pick Max Iheanachor at right tackle, gave him more time than he had in the first two weeks.

Joe Burrow

Burrow finished 28 of 37 for 282 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, and his 123.9 passer rating beat Rodgers by more than 20 points. He started the game 14 for 14, and he went 18 of 21 for 152 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. His 75.7 percent completion rate and 7.6 yards per attempt came from a short and intermediate passing plan built around Chase, Higgins, and Gesicki.

His one costly mistake came at the end. Burrow took a sack from Steelers defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, fumbled, and lost the ball with the Bengals still trying to tie the game. The game also marked his 80th career regular-season start. According to the Bengals’ postgame notes, his 163 career touchdown passes rank fourth in NFL history through a player’s first 80 starts, behind only Patrick Mahomes, Dan Marino, and Rodgers.

Key Player Stat Lines From Both Teams

The table below lists the main offensive and kicking lines for both teams from the final box score.

Player	Team	Stat line
Aaron Rodgers	Steelers	19/34, 292 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT; 3 rushes, 10 yards
Joe Burrow	Bengals	28/37, 282 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT; 2 rushes, 13 yards
Jaylen Warren	Steelers	17 carries, 127 yards; 3 catches, 49 yards
Chase Brown	Bengals	13 carries, 61 yards; 2 catches, 8 yards
Ja’Marr Chase	Bengals	9 catches, 98 yards, 1 TD (12 targets)
Tee Higgins	Bengals	6 catches, 90 yards, 1 TD (7 targets)
Darnell Washington	Steelers	3 catches, 67 yards
Roman Wilson	Steelers	3 catches, 60 yards, 1 TD (6 targets)
Mike Gesicki	Bengals	3 catches, 37 yards, 1 TD
DK Metcalf	Steelers	3 catches, 31 yards, 1 TD (5 targets)
Ben Skowronek	Steelers	1 catch, 23 yards, 1 TD
Chris Boswell	Steelers	3 of 3 field goals (44, 36, 33 yards)
Evan McPherson	Bengals	2 of 2 field goals (50, 38 yards)

These Pittsburgh Steelers vs Bengals match player stats come from the final box scores published by Pro Football Reference, CBS Sports, and StatChasers. Small differences between stat providers can appear on rushing long gains and snap counts, but the core totals match across sources.

Steelers Standouts: Warren Powers a Deep Offense

Jaylen Warren delivered the best individual game on the Steelers side, with 176 yards from scrimmage, the most of his NFL career to that point. He carried 17 times for 127 yards, an average of 7.5 yards per rush, and added three catches for 49 yards. His longest run covered 35 yards. He also broke off a run of more than 80 yards that a holding penalty on Metcalf wiped out, which kept his total from climbing even higher.

Warren handled 74 percent of Pittsburgh’s 23 carries and played 90 percent of the offensive snaps, a sharp jump from his earlier workload. He played through a shoulder issue that left him questionable before the game. The Steelers as a team ran for 138 yards at 6.0 yards per carry, compared with 83 yards at 4.6 for Cincinnati.

The receiving production spread across the roster. Wilson caught three of six targets for 60 yards and the opening touchdown, and Washington turned four targets into three catches for 67 yards. Metcalf played 95 percent of the snaps and finished with three catches for 31 yards and a touchdown. Skowronek caught just one pass, but it went for a touchdown, and he later recovered a loose ball on a Cincinnati punt that shaped the fourth quarter. Michael Pittman Jr. drew five targets and caught two for 16 yards, while Pat Freiermuth added two catches for 30 yards.

Bengals Standouts: Chase, Higgins and Gesicki Keep Cincinnati in It

Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins combined for 15 catches, 188 yards, and two touchdowns, and they carried the Bengals’ passing attack. Chase saw 12 targets, a season high and 32 percent of the team’s 37 throws. He finished with nine receptions for 98 yards and a three-yard touchdown that tied the game in the first quarter. That total pushed his career receiving yards to 7,022, and the Bengals noted he reached 7,000 in his 81st game, the fourth-fastest pace in NFL history.

Higgins caught six of seven targets for 90 yards. His 28-yard touchdown just before halftime came on a falling, circus-style grab in the front corner of the end zone, and it tied the game at 17. The Bengals also pointed out that Higgins now owns nine receptions of 25 or more yards against Pittsburgh, the most by any player against the Steelers in league history.

Gesicki caught all three of his targets for 37 yards and a 25-yard touchdown on fourth-and-two early in the fourth quarter, a play that gave Cincinnati the lead. Dohnte Meyers added three catches for 29 yards, including a 23-yard grab on third down during the Bengals’ first scoring drive. Running back Chase Brown carried 13 times for 61 yards, and Samaje Perine added nine yards on three carries. Cincinnati ran the ball only 18 times, which left Burrow to carry most of the load.

Defensive and Special Teams Standouts

Derrick Harmon made the biggest defensive play of the afternoon when he sacked Burrow and forced the fumble that sealed the Steelers’ win. Sebastian Joseph-Day recovered the ball in the final minute, and Pittsburgh ran out the clock. The Steelers’ defense recorded one sack, six quarterback hits, and five passes defended, but it also gave up 28 completions and three touchdown passes.

Cincinnati’s defense produced two sacks, both from Dexter Lawrence II, along with eight quarterback hits and six passes defended. Battle intercepted Rodgers late in the second quarter and finished with four tackles. His pick set up the Bengals at their own 47-yard line, and Burrow turned it into the Higgins touchdown five plays later. Linebacker Barrett Carter also broke up passes during the game.

Special teams decided the margin. Pittsburgh scored 10 points off Cincinnati’s special teams mistakes. A roughing-the-punter penalty in the third quarter extended a drive that ended with the Metcalf touchdown, and a muffed punt in the fourth quarter gave the Steelers a first-and-goal. They settled for a 36-yard Boswell field goal that tied the game at 27.

Both kickers stayed perfect. Boswell made field goals from 44, 36, and 33 yards and all three extra points. McPherson hit from 50 and 38 yards, and the 50-yarder was his 34th career make from that distance, the most in Bengals history. He has now made 20 consecutive field goals.

Team Stats That Explain the Result

Pittsburgh won the efficiency battle, averaging 7.0 yards per play to Cincinnati’s 6.3, and it protected the ball slightly better. The table below compares the team totals.

Stat	Steelers	Bengals
Total yards	411	352
Plays	59	56
Yards per play	7.0	6.3
Rushing yards	138	83
Yards per carry	6.0	4.6
Net passing yards	273	269
Third-down conversions	7 of 12	6 of 12
Turnovers	1	2
Sacks taken	2	1
Penalties (yards)	5 (37)	6 (40)
Time of possession	29:54	30:06

The passing numbers were nearly even, so the ground game made the difference. Pittsburgh gained 55 more rushing yards on only five more carries. The Bengals also lost two fumbles, one on Burrow’s final sack and one on the muffed punt, while the Steelers lost only the Rodgers interception. Burrow said after the game that his team could not shoot itself in the foot with penalties and still win, and the Bengals’ six flags cost them 40 yards.

Turning Points and Standout Plays

Six plays shaped the outcome, and each one changed the scoring or the field position in a way the box score alone does not show.

1. Rodgers to Wilson, 38 yards. Pittsburgh needed just four plays and under two minutes to score on its opening drive.
2. Burrow’s perfect start. He completed his first 14 passes, including seven straight on the 73-yard drive that ended with the Chase touchdown.
3. Battle’s interception and Higgins’ touchdown. The pick flipped a 17-10 Steelers lead into a 17-17 halftime tie before the break.
4. Roughing the punter. The penalty kept a Steelers drive alive, and Rodgers finished it with the six-yard touchdown pass to Metcalf.
5. Gesicki’s fourth-down score. Head coach Zac Taylor chose to go for it at the Pittsburgh 25, and Burrow found a wide-open tight end for the lead.
6. Harmon’s sack and forced fumble. The Steelers had already driven 77 yards in eight plays for the winning field goal, and Harmon ended Cincinnati’s last chance.

Head-to-Head History and the November 15 Rematch

The Steelers lead the all-time series 73-41 across 114 meetings since 1970, according to StatChasers, and they have won both postseason games between the teams. Since 2021 Pittsburgh holds a narrow 6-5 edge. The recent results show how close the rivalry runs: Cincinnati won 33-31 on October 16, 2025, then Pittsburgh won 34-12 on November 16, 2025, before this 30-27 Steelers win.

The teams meet again on Sunday, November 15, 2026, in Cincinnati, on Sunday Night Football at 8:20 p.m. ET. Entering Week 8, StatChasers lists the Steelers at 5-2 and the Bengals at 4-2, so the rematch could carry real weight in the AFC North race. Readers who follow athletes beyond the box score can find profiles in the Fame Star celebrity section.

Four matchups deserve attention in the rematch. Warren’s volume against a Bengals run defense that allowed 6.0 yards per carry will test whether Cincinnati adjusted. Chase and Higgins will try to repeat their production against a Steelers secondary that allowed 28 completions. Pass protection matters for both quarterbacks, since the Bengals sacked Rodgers twice and the Steelers hit Burrow six times. Special teams discipline also matters, because 10 Steelers points came from Cincinnati’s mistakes.

How to Read Player Stats From an NFL Box Score

Passer rating, yards per attempt, target share, and yards per carry give the quickest read on how a player performed. When you study Pittsburgh Steelers vs Bengals match player stats, these four numbers separate volume from efficiency.

• Passer rating runs from 0 to 158.3. Burrow’s 123.9 and Rodgers’ 101.6 both rank as strong, though Burrow’s mark reflects more completions per attempt.
• Yards per attempt divides passing yards by attempts. Rodgers averaged 8.6 and Burrow averaged 7.6, which shows Rodgers threw deeper while Burrow threw shorter and more often.
• Target share shows how much of the passing game a receiver absorbs. Chase drew 12 of Cincinnati’s 37 targets, or 32 percent.
• Yards per carry measures rushing efficiency. Warren averaged 7.5, and Brown averaged 4.7.

Fantasy football players can add one more layer. StatChasers scored Chase at 24.8 PPR points, Rodgers at 23.7, Burrow at 22.6, Higgins at 21.0, and Warren at 20.6, which made those five the top fantasy scorers in the game.

Conclusion

The Pittsburgh Steelers vs Bengals match player stats point to a game decided by small margins: a ground game that averaged six yards per carry, a defense that forced the last turnover, and a handful of special teams mistakes. Rodgers and Burrow matched each other in touchdowns, Warren and Chase delivered the best individual lines, and Boswell made the kick that settled it. The November 15 rematch in Cincinnati will show whether the Bengals can fix the penalties and turnovers that cost them this one.

Frequently Asked Questions About Steelers vs Bengals Player Stats

Who had the best stats in the Steelers vs Bengals game?

Aaron Rodgers led all passers with 292 yards and three touchdowns, and Jaylen Warren produced 176 yards from scrimmage. Ja’Marr Chase topped all receivers with nine catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. Joe Burrow posted the better passer rating at 123.9, throwing for 282 yards and three scores without an interception.

What was the final score of the Steelers vs Bengals game?

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 30-27 on September 27, 2026, at Acrisure Stadium. The teams were tied 17-17 at halftime. Chris Boswell kicked a 33-yard field goal with 2:15 left, and Derrick Harmon’s sack and forced fumble on Burrow ended the Bengals’ final drive.

How many yards did Joe Burrow and Aaron Rodgers throw for?

Aaron Rodgers threw for 292 yards, completing 19 of 34 passes with three touchdowns and one interception. Joe Burrow threw for 282 yards, completing 28 of 37 passes with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Both quarterbacks threw three touchdown passes, and Burrow’s 123.9 passer rating was higher than Rodgers’ 101.6.

Which Steelers player rushed for the most yards against the Bengals?

Jaylen Warren led all rushers with 127 yards on 17 carries, an average of 7.5 yards per carry, and he added three catches for 49 yards. A holding penalty on DK Metcalf erased a run of more than 80 yards, which would have pushed his total much higher.

When do the Steelers and Bengals play again in 2026?

The Steelers and Bengals play again on Sunday, November 15, 2026, in Cincinnati. The game airs on Sunday Night Football with an 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff. It is the second and final regular-season meeting between the two AFC North teams in 2026.