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Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: PFM Team Comparison

The Cincinnati Bengals hold a slight overall advantage over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the current PFM ratings. Cincinnati separates itself through the steadier quarterback room and the more dependable offense.

Current PFM Team Scores

Slight edgeCIN

Cincinnati Bengals

79.9PFM Team Score#16 NFL
PIT

Pittsburgh Steelers

78.9PFM Team Score#18 NFL
Swap Teams Clear Comparison
PFM JUDGMENT

Why PFM Rates the Cincinnati Bengals Higher

Quarterback is the clearest separator. Joe Burrow gives Cincinnati more certainty than the Pittsburgh Steelers have at the position. Pittsburgh's strongest counterargument is Coaching Direction. The Pittsburgh Steelers have the stronger coaching operation under Mike McCarthy. The advantage shows up in preparation, adjustments and pressure situations.

Cincinnati also brings the more dependable offense. The counterargument matters, but it does not erase Cincinnati's slight overall advantage.

TEAM DNA COMPARISON

Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh Across the Core Pillars

The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.

CINCincinnati Bengals
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Team DNA comparisonPFM category scores on a 0 to 100 scale. QB Stability: Cincinnati Bengals 88.0, Pittsburgh Steelers 75.5, edge CIN +12.5; Offense: Cincinnati Bengals 85.1, Pittsburgh Steelers 75.8, edge CIN +9.3; Defense: Cincinnati Bengals 74.9, Pittsburgh Steelers 83.9, edge PIT +9.0; Coaching Direction: Cincinnati Bengals 73.8, Pittsburgh Steelers 83.2, edge PIT +9.4; Roster Depth: Cincinnati Bengals 80.3, Pittsburgh Steelers 79.2, edge CIN +1.1. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team at a time.
Hover or tap a team to focus that profile. Use Show Both to bring the overlay back.
THE COUNTERARGUMENT

Pittsburgh Steelers’ Best Argument

The staff edge favors the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mike McCarthy gives the team steadier direction than Cincinnati has on the sideline. The coaching direction advantage is a real point in Pittsburgh's favor, but it does not outweigh the rest of the higher-rated team’s advantages. The problem for Pittsburgh is that Cincinnati counters with the steadier quarterback room and the more dependable offense.

COMPLETE COMPARISON

Where Each Team Has the Edge

PFM Team Score

CIN79.9
Cincinnati Bengals 79.9
PIT78.9
Pittsburgh Steelers 78.9
Slight Cincinnati Bengals edge

Overall NFL Rank

CIN#16
Cincinnati Bengals #16
PIT#18
Pittsburgh Steelers #18
Cincinnati Bengals ranks higher

QB Stability

CIN88.0
Cincinnati Bengals 88.0
PIT75.5
Pittsburgh Steelers 75.5
Major Cincinnati Bengals edge

Roster Strength

CIN80.3
Cincinnati Bengals 80.3
PIT79.2
Pittsburgh Steelers 79.2
Slight Cincinnati Bengals edge

Coaching Direction

CIN73.8
Cincinnati Bengals 73.8
PIT83.2
Pittsburgh Steelers 83.2
Clear Pittsburgh Steelers edge

Recent Performance

CIN73.3
Cincinnati Bengals 73.3
PIT80.1
Pittsburgh Steelers 80.1
Clear Pittsburgh Steelers edge

Offense

CIN85.1
Cincinnati Bengals 85.1
PIT75.8
Pittsburgh Steelers 75.8
Clear Cincinnati Bengals edge

Defense

CIN74.9
Cincinnati Bengals 74.9
PIT83.9
Pittsburgh Steelers 83.9
Clear Pittsburgh Steelers edge

Franchise Direction

CIN74.7
Cincinnati Bengals 74.7
PIT74.9
Pittsburgh Steelers 74.9
Essentially even

Explosiveness

CIN82.3
Cincinnati Bengals 82.3
PIT71.5
Pittsburgh Steelers 71.5
Major Cincinnati Bengals edge

Conference Rank

CIN#9
Cincinnati Bengals #9
PIT#10
Pittsburgh Steelers #10
Cincinnati Bengals ranks higher

Division Rank

CIN#2
Cincinnati Bengals #2
PIT#3
Pittsburgh Steelers #3
Cincinnati Bengals ranks higher

Outlook

CINIn the Playoff MixPITIn the Playoff Mix
Same outlook
SCHEDULE CONTEXT

Which Team Has the Tougher Road?

Cincinnati Bengals

Remaining schedule rank: #30

Toughest stretch: Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars

Strongest opponents: Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans

Next five difficulty: 80.3

View Cincinnati Bengals Road Ahead

Pittsburgh Steelers

Remaining schedule rank: #25

Toughest stretch: Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans

Strongest opponents: Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars

Next five difficulty: 77.8

View Pittsburgh Steelers Road Ahead

Pittsburgh has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 25. The strongest opponents include Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, and Jacksonville Jaguars. Cincinnati also has the more favorable road, which adds to the steadier quarterback room and the more dependable offense.

View the complete all-32 Road Ahead

Ratings and Schedule Freshness

PFM ratings updated September 15, 2026. Schedule data updated September 17, 2026.

How to Read This Comparison

PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.

PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.

See the complete PFM NFL Team Rankings and methodology.

PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams