Coach Mike McCarthy needs to come up with some answers for his Pittsburgh Steelers offense quickly.
The unit has just one touchdown in two weeks to open the 2026 season and now must face quarterback Joe
Burrow, receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and a Cincinnati Bengals offense that has proven it can put up points against T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Jalen Ramsey and the Pittsburgh defense.
Burrow-led units have averaged 27 points per game against the Steelers since he broke into the league in 2020. The Steelers had the good fortune of missing Burrow in both AFC North division matchups in 2025, but still conceded 33 points in a Week 7 loss at Paycor Stadium in which Joe Flacco started at quarterback.
So far this season, the Bengals are averaging 24 points per game in their 2-0 start, which included wins over Cleveland and Jacksonville.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, receiver DK Metcalf and the rest of the offense can therefore not expect the defense to do all of the heavy lifting like it did to keep the team in it during a Week 1 victory against Atlanta and a Week 2 loss at New England. They have to score points.
They’ll also have to do so in the face of a revamped Bengals pass rush. Cincinnati added Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen in the offseason in a bid to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. That’s bad news for a Steelers front that has been leaky. It gave up four sacks that led to two fumbles last week against the Patriots.
It may not be a must-win in the standings. It’s too early in the season for that. From a confidence perspective, however, the stakes are high, as another clunker could call into question whether this unit has the upside to mount a return to the NFL playoffs.
Bengals vs Steelers predictions, picks, odds
Odds from BetMGM as of Wednesday, Sept. 22
- Spread: Bengals (-3.5)
- Over/under: 42.5
- Moneyline: Bengals -190, Steelers +155
Prediction: Bengals 24, Steelers 17
The urgency will lead to some improvement from Pittsburgh offensively. Just maybe not enough to beat this particular opponent. The Steelers have been fortunate to dodge a healthy Burrow in two of the past three seasons as he dealt with injuries, but that luck has run out. First-year DC Patrick Graham should be able to throw enough new things at the Bengals to keep his team in the game. It just might not be enough unless the offense proves that it can take one big step to fix what’s ailed it through the first two games.
What TV channel is Bengals vs Steelers on today?
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Paramount+, NFL +
The matchup will be shown regionally in the early CBS viewing window. Check local listings to see whether the game is available in your area. Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Ross Tucker (color analyst) and Evan Washburn (sideline reporter) will be on the call for the network.
Patriots vs Steelers time today
- Time: 1 p.m.
- Location: Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh)
The game will kick off shortly after 1 p.m. from Acrisure Stadium on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steelers vs Bengals prediction: Aaron Rodgers and Co. won't keep up with Joe Burrow
