The 2-4 Cincinnati Bengals have their backs against the wall heading into their Week 7 Thursday Night Football matchup against the 4-1 Pittsburgh Steelers.
Another loss—especially on a short week—could
force them to run the table in the back half of the season just to keep playoff hopes alive. With Joe Burrow, maybe that’s possible. With Joe Flacco, it’s a different story.
Can they win with Flacco? Absolutely. They proved it in the second half against Green Bay. If they can string together two halves like that in one game, there aren’t many teams they can’t beat.
But is Flacco going to make this offense hum the way Burrow can? No. Not even close.
That’s why winning now is so important. If it wasn’t, the team wouldn’t have traded for a 40-year-old quarterback from a division rival.
Here are a few matchups that could decide the outcome.
Zac Taylor vs. Mike Tomlin
One is the best coach in the division—and arguably the NFL. The other is coaching for his job. Can you guess which is which?
Tomlin’s teams, regardless of injury or adversity, always find their footing. The Bengals? Their four-game losing streak says plenty about how they land.
Taylor has come under justified pressure from fans to hand over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher, but he’s made it clear he’s not letting go. He’s an offensive-minded coach, and if the Bengals are going to win—with this offensive line, no running game, and a backup quarterback—he’ll need to call the game of his life.
Joe Flacco vs. Aaron Rodgers
It’s the Icy Hot Bowl! The two oldest starting quarterbacks in the NFL square off in a divisional matchup. If you had Flacco (Bengals) versus Rodgers (Steelers) on your 2025 bingo card, buy a lottery ticket.
Rodgers’ Steelers have won three straight and look functional—something the Bengals can’t say since Burrow went down.
The Bengals still have elite weapons, and if the offensive line can give Flacco time, someone will be open. Rodgers is a future Hall of Famer, no doubt, but don’t forget: Flacco once hoisted a Lombardi Trophy and was a Super Bowl MVP himself.
Orlando Brown Jr/Amarius Mims vs. Steelers pass rushers
As usual, the Steelers bring a ferocious pass rush. They’re tied for the second-most sacks in the league, led by T.J. Watt (3.5 sacks) and Nick Herbig (4.5). Six different defenders have at least one sack this season.
The Bengals’ offensive line has struggled all year to create a stable pocket for Burrow, Browning, or Flacco. For Cincinnati to have a shot, Flacco will need to get the ball out fast, and the line must finally start gelling. This Steelers defense doesn’t just come off the edge—they collapse the pocket from every angle.
Ja’Marr Chase/Tee Higgins vs. Steelers DBs
Burrow or not, the Bengals’ weapons remain elite. Chase and Higgins form the league’s best receiver duo, and Andrei Iosivas could be a WR2 on several other teams. Add in Noah Fant and Chase Brown as receiving options, and Flacco won’t lack targets.
The Steelers’ secondary—Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr., and Darius Slay—has given up the sixth-most passing yards in the league but only seven touchdowns through the air, tied for fourth-fewest. Considering the Bengals’ anemic rushing attack, success through the air might be their best (and only) path to points.
Shemar Stewart vs. All the attention
Hopefully, Trey Hendrickson suits up—he’s questionable with a hip injury. Stewart, meanwhile, returns for the first time since Week 2, and his presence could be huge.
If both play, the Bengals finally have a chance to generate consistent pressure. But if Hendrickson can’t go, expect the Steelers to double Stewart all night. Then he’ll truly understand what life is like for Hendrickson—constant attention, constant battle.
Bengals secondary vs. DK Metcalf
Metcalf has more than double the yards and touchdowns of any other Steelers receiver. He’s clearly Rodgers’ top target, though the veteran QB also leans on his tight ends to expose linebackers in coverage.
The Bengals must generate pressure up front. If Rodgers has time, no secondary—especially one this thin—can cover Metcalf forever. DJ Turner could draw the assignment after an impressive Week 6, but he’ll need help over the top to keep Rodgers from feasting.