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Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: PFM Team Comparison

The Cincinnati Bengals hold a clear 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

Clear edgeCIN

Cincinnati Bengals

80.6PFM Team Score#13 NFL
PIT

Pittsburgh Steelers

78.4PFM Team Score#19 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 clear 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 87.4, Pittsburgh Steelers 75.0, edge CIN +12.4; Offense: Cincinnati Bengals 85.2, Pittsburgh Steelers 77.6, edge CIN +7.6; Defense: Cincinnati Bengals 77.4, Pittsburgh Steelers 83.4, edge PIT +6.0; Coaching Direction: Cincinnati Bengals 73.6, Pittsburgh Steelers 83.2, edge PIT +9.6; Roster Depth: Cincinnati Bengals 80.0, Pittsburgh Steelers 78.9, 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

CIN80.6
Cincinnati Bengals 80.6
PIT78.4
Pittsburgh Steelers 78.4
Clear Cincinnati Bengals edge

Overall NFL Rank

CIN#13
Cincinnati Bengals #13
PIT#19
Pittsburgh Steelers #19
Cincinnati Bengals ranks higher

QB Stability

CIN87.4
Cincinnati Bengals 87.4
PIT75.0
Pittsburgh Steelers 75.0
Major Cincinnati Bengals edge

Roster Strength

CIN80.0
Cincinnati Bengals 80.0
PIT78.9
Pittsburgh Steelers 78.9
Slight Cincinnati Bengals edge

Coaching Direction

CIN73.6
Cincinnati Bengals 73.6
PIT83.2
Pittsburgh Steelers 83.2
Clear Pittsburgh Steelers edge

Recent Performance

CIN76.3
Cincinnati Bengals 76.3
PIT77.3
Pittsburgh Steelers 77.3
Slight Pittsburgh Steelers edge

Offense

CIN85.2
Cincinnati Bengals 85.2
PIT77.6
Pittsburgh Steelers 77.6
Clear Cincinnati Bengals edge

Defense

CIN77.4
Cincinnati Bengals 77.4
PIT83.4
Pittsburgh Steelers 83.4
Clear Pittsburgh Steelers edge

Franchise Direction

CIN74.8
Cincinnati Bengals 74.8
PIT74.9
Pittsburgh Steelers 74.9
Essentially even

Explosiveness

CIN82.2
Cincinnati Bengals 82.2
PIT74.8
Pittsburgh Steelers 74.8
Clear Cincinnati Bengals edge

Conference Rank

CIN#7
Cincinnati Bengals #7
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

CINPlayoff ContenderPITIn the Playoff Mix
Stronger outlook: Cincinnati Bengals
SCHEDULE CONTEXT

Which Team Has the Tougher Road?

Cincinnati Bengals

Remaining schedule rank: #32

Toughest stretch: Kansas City Chiefs, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts

Strongest opponents: Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Commanders

Next five difficulty: 76.1

View Cincinnati Bengals Road Ahead

Pittsburgh Steelers

Remaining schedule rank: #26

Toughest stretch: Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars

Strongest opponents: Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens

Next five difficulty: 75.8

View Pittsburgh Steelers Road Ahead

Pittsburgh has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 26. The strongest opponents include Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, and Baltimore Ravens. 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 October 6, 2026. Schedule data updated October 6, 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