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Two of the NFL's most experienced quarterbacks meet Thursday night to open Week 7.
The early season has treated Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1) much kinder than the Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) so far, with Mike Tomlin's squad already owning a multi-game lead in the AFC North standings. It hasn't all been perfect in the Rodgers-Steelers union, ranking near the bottom of the league in yards per game (277.8), but Pittsburgh has consistently found ways to win entering "Thursday Night Football."
With only one loss to the Seahawks back in Week 2, the Steelers have gotten some solid play out of their 41-year-old quarterback. Rodgers has tossed 10 touchdown passes with 1,021 yards through five games, with DK Metcalf (356 yards, four TDs) dominating his target share. The Steelers' defense has stepped up when needed, and they've become the early division favorites with the other three AFC North teams struggling.
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That includes the Bengals, who made a rare midseason trade for Joe Flacco — another quarterback over the age of 40 in the division. With Joe Burrow out for an extended period, Cincinnati has struggled. The Bengals' defense has allowed the second-most yards per game in the league (394.2), and the team is taking a four-game losing streak into Week 7.
Flacco will aim to get Cincinnati back on track Thursday night, coming off a solid team debut in a loss to Green Bay. He and Rodgers will be in the spotlight in prime time as two former Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks whose best days are behind them, but are still playing well enough to lead their AFC North squad. Will the Steelers keep rolling, or will the Bengals get their first win behind Flacco?
The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights from Steelers vs. Bengals on "Thursday Night Football." Follow with the action below as Week 7 kicks off.
STREAM: Watch Steelers vs. Bengals on Amazon Prime
Steelers vs. Bengals score
NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
Steelers vs. Bengals live updates, highlights from 'Thursday Night Football'
All times ET.
8:38 p.m. — An 11-yard run from Jaylen Warren and a seven-yard catch is all the Steelers get on their second series. Cincinnati gets the ball back as the first quarter rolls on.
8:33 p.m. — Joe Flacco got the ball to Tee Higgins on a third-and-long, but the Bengals can't keep it going from there. They punt on their opening drive.
First completion from Flacco is a good one to Tee Higgins.
— NFL (@NFL) October 17, 2025
PITvsCIN on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/7Y1MlyfBCD
Steelers 7, Bengals 0
8:23 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Aaron Rodgers had all day to throw, and he takes advantage on third down. The Steelers get an opening-drive touchdown as Rodgers finds his tight end, Jonnu Smith. Pittsburgh is on top on the road.
Rodgers extends the play and throws a TD. Seen that before!
— NFL (@NFL) October 17, 2025
PITvsCIN on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/0UsxXQE0VF
8:20 p.m. — The Rodgers-Metcalf connection is already hot. DK gets the ball on third down, streaking down the sideline for a gain of 39 yards.
3rd and long... PERFECT ball from Rodgers to DK 🎯
— NFL (@NFL) October 17, 2025
PITvsCIN on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/rjC4ILQZSj
8:18 p.m. — Pittsburgh begins with the ball on "Thursday Night Football."
Pregame
8:15 p.m. — Wide receiver Calvin Austin II remains out for Pittsburgh.
Inactives for #PITvsCIN ⤵️ @UPMC
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 16, 2025
📝: https://t.co/yPIdrey8GD pic.twitter.com/vVAsHzIpM0
8:14 p.m. — Cincinnati's "TNF" inactive list include DE Trey Hendrickson and CB Cam Taylor-Britt, two usual starters.
.@KetteringHealth Inactives for #PITvsCIN pic.twitter.com/DgnR1jcrjc
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 16, 2025
8:13 p.m. — The Bengals are rocking their all-white uniforms tonight.
The White Bengal uniform combo 🔥 pic.twitter.com/M0FNIoUbm7
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 16, 2025
MORE STEELERS-BENGALS NEWS:
- How Flacco vs. Rodgers compares to oldest QB matchups ever
- Longest tenured NFL coaches in history
- Inside Mike Tomlin's ugly Thursday Night Football record
- When Joe Burrow is expected to return for Bengals
Where to watch Steelers vs. Bengals
Steelers vs. Bengals start time
- Date: Thursday, October 16
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Thursday's matchup between the Steelers and Bengals will kick off from Cincinnati at 8:15 p.m. ET to open Week 7.
What channel is Steelers vs. Bengals on today?
- Live stream: Amazon Prime Video
The game between the Steelers and Bengals will be available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. It will not air on local TV unless you are local to Pittsburgh or Cincinnati; in the Pittsburgh market, the game will be on WTAE-TV, and in the Cincinnati market, it will be on WCPO (ABC).
MORE: How Bengals are latest stop in Joe Flacco's AFC North career
Steelers schedule 2025
| Week | Date | Opponent/Result | Kickoff time (ET) | TV channel |
| 1 | Sunday, Sept. 7 | Steelers 34, Jets 32 | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 2 | Sunday, Sept. 14 | Seahawks 31, Steelers 17 | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 3 | Sunday, Sept. 21 | Steelers 21, Patriots 14 | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 4 | Sunday, Sept. 28 | Steelers 24, Vikings 21 | 9:30 a.m. | NFL Network |
| 5 | Sunday, Oct. 5 | Bye | - | - |
| 6 | Sunday, Oct. 12 | Steelers 23, Browns 9 | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 7 | Thursday, Oct. 16 | at Bengals | 8:15 p.m. | Prime Video |
| 8 | Sunday, Oct. 26 | vs. Packers | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 9 | Sunday, Nov. 2 | vs. Colts | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 10 | Sunday, Nov. 9 | at Chargers | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 11 | Sunday, Nov. 16 | vs. Bengals | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 12 | Sunday, Nov. 23 | at Bears | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 13 | Sunday, Nov. 30 | vs. Bills | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| 14 | Sunday, Dec. 7 | at Ravens | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 15 | Monday, Dec. 15 | vs. Dolphins | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN/ABC |
| 16 | Sunday, Dec. 21 | at Lions | 4:25 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 17 | Sunday, Dec. 28 | at Browns | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 18 | TBD | vs. Ravens | TBD | TBD |
Bengals schedule 2025
| Week | Date | Opponent/Result | Kickoff time (ET) | TV channel |
| 1 | Sunday, Sept. 7 | Bengals 17, Browns 16 | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 2 | Sunday, Sept. 14 | Bengals 31, Jaguars 27 | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 3 | Sunday, Sept. 21 | Vikings 48, Bengals 10 | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 4 | Monday, Sept. 29 | Broncos 28, Bengals 3 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN |
| 5 | Sunday, Oct. 5 | Lions 37, Bengals 24 | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| 6 | Sunday, Oct. 12 | Packers 27, Bengals 18 | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| 7 | Thursday, Oct. 16 | vs. Steelers | 8:15 p.m. | Amazon Prime |
| 8 | Sunday, Oct. 26 | vs. Jets | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 9 | Sunday, Nov. 2 | vs. Bears | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 10 | Sunday, Nov. 9 | Bye | - | - |
| 11 | Sunday, Nov. 16 | at Steelers | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 12 | Sunday, Nov. 23 | vs. Patriots | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 13 | Thursday, Nov. 27 | at Ravens | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 14 | Sunday, Dec. 7 | at Bills | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| 15 | Sunday, Dec. 14 | vs. Ravens | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 16 | Sunday, Dec. 21 | at Dolphins | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 17 | TBD | vs. Cardinals | TBD | TBD |
| 18 | TBD | vs. Browns | TBD | TBD |