The Pittsburgh Steelers came off the bye week with a nice AFC North victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. In the Week 6 win, the Steelers defeated the Browns 23-9, improving their confidence and showing the effectiveness of their offense and defense. With the bye behind them and momentum on their side, Pittsburgh is now focused on their next challenge as they prepare to hit the road.
Kareem Elgazzar / Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase attempting to make a catch against the Steelers' defense.
In Week 7, the Steelers will face the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday Night Football. The Bengals boast a high-powered offense led by veteran quarterback Joe Flacco and star wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
While Cincinnati has struggled to maintain consistency as a team this season, the matchup will still present a tough test for Pittsburgh, especially on the road. The Bengals currently sit second in the AFC North with a 2-4 record, meaning every divisional game carries significant weight.
Chase recently spoke with Bengals insider Paul Dehner Jr., issuing a strong warning to the Steelers ahead of the contest. Chase’s confidence and playmaking ability make him one of the league’s most dangerous wideouts, and Pittsburgh will need to be at their best defensively to contain him. Thursday night promises to be a high-stakes showdown, with the Steelers looking to extend their winning streak while proving they can handle one of the AFC North’s most explosive offensive threats.
"Just the rankings we got going on right now," Chase said. "We know the Steelers are going to try to come in and raw dog us and kill us. But we going to be ready for that challenge and we going to be waiting for it."
The Steelers are currently 4-1 and are looking to build on their strong start to the season by defeating the Bengals and further extending their lead in the AFC North. Every divisional game matters, and a victory over the Bengals on Thursday Night Football would not only solidify Pittsburgh’s position at the top of the standings but also send a strong message to the rest of the division about their dominance this season.
The New York Times
Bengals' wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase (left) and Tee Higgins (right).
The Bengals recently made a notable move, bringing in Flacco after Jake Browning struggled to perform at a consistent, professional level, giving Cincinnati a more experienced presence under center. Despite the changes and the Bengals’ own struggles with consistency as a team, the Steelers will still approach the matchup with a deep level of respect for the offensive talent Cincinnati possesses.
Chase and Higgins are elite playmakers, and Pittsburgh knows that containing them will be crucial to winning on the road. The Steelers understand that even with a strong start, every game in the division presents challenges, and this contest will demand focus, execution, and discipline from start to finish.
Steelers' Defense Is Slowly Starting To Put It Together
The Steelers defense showed a much stronger performance during their Week 6 contest against the Browns. While they didn’t completely shut down the Browns’ offense, their ability to limit a division opponent to just three field goals was a significant accomplishment and a clear indicator of the unit’s growth.
Pittsburgh’s defensive front applied consistent pressure, forcing hurried throws and disrupting the Browns’ rhythm, while the secondary tightened up coverage in key situations. Holding a rival team to only nine points in a divisional matchup is no small feat, and it highlights how much the Steelers’ defense has improved under the coaching staff’s adjustments.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey (5) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
In the 2025 offseason, Pittsburgh made significant moves to upgrade their secondary, adding key pieces to strengthen their pass defense. Now, in Week 7, the Steelers will look to put those chess pieces to work, testing their revamped secondary against one of the league’s most dangerous passing attacks in the Bengals.
What do you predict the outcome of the Steelers versus the Bengals contest will be? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.
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