Bengals–Steelers rivalry
| |||
| Teams | Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| First meeting |
November 2, 1970 Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Cincinnati Bengals 10 | ||
| Latest meeting |
September 18, 2016 Bengals 16 Steelers 24 | ||
| Next meeting | December 18, 2016 | ||
| Statistics | |||
| Meetings total | 94 | ||
| All-time series | PIT: 59–35 | ||
| Regular season series | PIT: 57–35 | ||
| Postseason results |
PIT: 2–0 January 8, 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Cincinnati Bengals 17 January 9, 2016 Pittsburgh Steelers 18, Cincinnati Bengals 16 | ||
| Largest victory | CIN: 42-7 (11/06/1988) | ||
| Longest win streak |
CIN: 6 (1988–90) PIT: 8 (1991–94) | ||
| Current win streak | PIT: 3 wins | ||
| Championship Success | |||
The Bengals–Steelers rivalry is an NFL rivalry. The two teams have played each other twice a year since becoming division rivals in 1970, the lone exception being 1982, when the annual matchup in Cincinnati was canceled due to the player's strike; the teams only met in Week 2 in Pittsburgh that season just before the start of the strike. Originally placed in the AFC Central following the AFL–NFL merger, the two teams currently compete in that division's successor, the AFC North.
Overview
The rivalry is not quite as historic as the Bengals–Browns rivalry, however, many Bengals fans consider the Steelers to be their greatest rivals, much like Cleveland Browns fans. (Steeler fans, however, often consider the Baltimore Ravens as their top rival.) It is disputed which is the more widely bitter rivalry, but this specific rivalry is often ranked as one of the NFL's most bitter, chiefly due to the Steelers having more championships and the events of the 2005 wild card playoff game between the two teams. Similarly, these are the only two AFC North teams to experience Super Bowl losses, with each team losing two.
Though the Steelers have mostly dominated this rivalry, it has heated up in recent seasons due to the Bengals resurgence among NFL teams. Even during the Bengals' dismal years in the 1990s and early 2000s when they were one of the NFL's worst teams, they would at times get the better of the Steelers, who were usually the dominant team in the division during the "Bungals" years. One notable example came in 1998, when the Bengals swept the Steelers in the season series while finishing 3-13 overall. (Their only other win coming against the Detroit Lions in overtime). The loss knocked the Steelers out of playoff contention (they finished 7-9).
While the Steelers have a much older rivalry with the Browns and have a longer history against several teams from the NFC due to the Steelers being part of the "old" NFL prior to the 1970 merger, the Bengals have met the Steelers more than anyone else in their own history, due to the Tennessee Titans being moved to the new AFC South in the 2002 realignment, while the Browns missed keeping pace due to being out of the league for 3 years.
The rivalry has enjoyed a revival since meeting in the playoffs for the first time in the 2005 wild card. During the game, division champion Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer was injured by Steeler Kimo von Oelhoffen. Palmer's injured ACL and MCL kept him out of the game, which the Steelers won 31-17. After undergoing surgery to repair the damaged ligaments, Palmer was featured in a Sports Illustrated article focusing on the new technique used to repair his knee. In that article, Palmer is quoted as saying "I hate the Steelers more than I hate UCLA,"[1] a reference to his college days at USC, although Palmer himself did not blame the Steelers for his injury, since von Oelhoffen did not intend to injure him.[2] Many fans from both sides remain bitter about this episode.
The rivalry rose to new heights in 2009 when the Bengals were AFC North Division champions. They boasted a perfect 6-0 division record, not only twice beating the long-time champion Steelers, but the Ravens and Browns. Despite their division dominance, the Bengals were only 4-6 against the rest of the NFL, finishing 3-1 against the NFC North and 1-5 against other AFC teams. The Bengals made the playoffs as AFC North Champions, and they began their short playoff run with a home game against the New York Jets. The Bengals were expected to win, but the Jets shut down the Bengals and put an end to their season.
From 2010 to 2012, the Steelers won five straight games in the rivalry until the Bengals defeated them at Heinz Field on December 23, 2012. On that day the Bengals clinched a playoff spot for the third time in the last four seasons, while eliminating the Steelers from playoff contention at the same time.
The rivalry has reached unprecedented heights as a result of the 2016 WildCard playoff game. After previously having bad blood between the divisional rival from incidents in the 2015 regular season, the two teams met in the postseason. The contest was rife with physical play and penalty flags on both sides. Ryan Shazier knocked Giovani Bernard unconscious and celebrated the hit on the field riling up the Bengals and their fans as no flag was thrown on the play. The game appeared over after Burfict intercepted Landry Jones, who was in due to an injury to Ben Roethlisberger after being sacked by Vontaze Burfict. But Jeremy Hill fumbled the ball and the Steelers recovered on their 9yd line with 1:36 remaining. Ben Roethlisberger returned and drove the Steelers to the Bengals 47 yard line with :18 remaining. Burfict was flagged for hitting a defenseless receiver, Antonio Brown, on an incomplete pass while Jones was penalized for bumping a referee while going after Steelers assistant coach Joey Porter during the injury timeout. Porter received no flag for his actions. These fouls advanced the Steelers 30 yards with under 20 seconds remaining in the game, allowing Pittsburgh to kick a 35-yard field goal for the victory.
Burfict has been suspended by the NFL for his actions in the games; his appeal is pending. The league has stated that further disciplinary measures against members of both teams may be pending.
Pittsburgh has a 58-35 series lead against the Bengals.
1970s (Steelers 14-6)
| Year | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Steelers 21 Bengals 10 |
Three Rivers Stadium | The inaugural game. |
| Bengals 34 Steelers 7 |
Riverfront Stadium | ||
| 1971 | Steelers 21 Bengals 10 |
Three Rivers Stadium | |
| Steelers 21 Bengals 13 |
Riverfront Stadium | Steelers' first-ever season sweep of Cincinnati | |
| 1972 | Bengals 15 Steelers 10 |
Riverfront Stadium | |
| Steelers 40 Bengals 17 |
Three Rivers Stadium | ||
| 1973 | Bengals 17 Steelers 10 |
Riverfront Stadium | |
| Steelers 20 Bengals 13 |
Three Rivers Stadium | ||
| 1974 | Bengals 17 Steelers 10 |
Riverfront Stadium | |
| Steelers 27 Bengals 3 |
Three Rivers Stadium | ||
| 1975 | Steelers 30 Bengals 24 |
Riverfront Stadium | |
| Steelers 35 Bengals 14 |
Three Rivers Stadium | ||
| 1976 | Steelers 23 Bengals 6 |
Three Rivers Stadium | |
| Steelers 7 Bengals 3 |
Riverfront Stadium | ||
| 1977 | Steelers 20 Bengals 14 |
Three Rivers Stadium | |
| Bengals 17 Steelers 10 |
Riverfront Stadium | ||
| 1978 | Steelers 28 Bengals 3 |
Riverfront Stadium | |
| Steelers 7 Bengals 6 |
Three Rivers Stadium | ||
| 1979 | Bengals 34 Steelers 10 |
Riverfront Stadium | |
| Steelers 37 Bengals 17 |
Three Rivers Stadium |
1980s (Bengals 13-6)
| Year | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Bengals 30 Steelers 28 |
Riverfront Stadium | |
| Bengals 17 Steelers 16 |
Three Rivers Stadium | Bengals' first-ever season sweep of Pittsburgh | |
| 1981 | Bengals 34 Steelers 7 |
Riverfront Stadium | |
| Bengals 17 Steelers 10 |
Three Rivers Stadium | ||
| 1982 | Steelers 26 Bengals 20 OT |
Three Rivers Stadium | Only meeting between teams in 1982 season due to players' strike |
| 1983 | Steelers 24 Bengals 14 |
Riverfront Stadium | Pittsburgh won without scoring an offensive touchdown |
| Bengals 23 Steelers 10 |
Three Rivers Stadium | ||
| 1984 | Steelers 38 Bengals 17 |
Three Rivers Stadium | |
| Bengals 22 Steelers 20 |
Riverfront Stadium | ||
| 1985 | Bengals 37 Steelers 24 |
Three Rivers Stadium | |
| Bengals 26 Steelers 21 |
Riverfront Stadium | ||
| 1986 | Bengals 24 Steelers 22 |
Three Rivers Stadium | |
| Steelers 30 Bengals 9 |
Riverfront Stadium | ||
| 1987 | Steelers 23 Bengals 20 |
Three Rivers Stadium | |
| Steelers 30 Bengals 16 |
Riverfront Stadium | Steelers' Lone 2-Game Sweep of the Bengals during the '80s | |
| 1988 | Bengals 17 Steelers 12 |
Three Rivers Stadium | |
| Bengals 42 Steelers 7 |
Riverfront Stadium | Largest margin of victory in rivalry | |
| 1989 | Bengals 41 Steelers 10 |
Riverfront Stadium | |
| Bengals 26 Steelers 16 |
Three Rivers Stadium |
1990s (Steelers 13-7)
| Year | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Bengals 27 Steelers 3 |
Riverfront Stadium | |
| Bengals 16 Steelers 12 |
Three Rivers Stadium | ||
| 1991 | Steelers 33 Bengals 27 |
Riverfront Stadium | |
| Steelers 17 Bengals 10 |
Three Rivers Stadium | ||
| 1992 | Steelers 20 Bengals 0 |
Three Rivers Stadium | Steelers' first-ever shutout win over the Bengals, with Pittsburgh's defense setting the single-game team sack record, sacking Bengals QB David Klingler (in his first NFL rookie start) 10 times. |
| Steelers 21 Bengals 9 |
Riverfront Stadium | ||
| 1993 | Steelers 37 Bengals 7 |
Three Rivers Stadium | |
| Steelers 24 Bengals 16 |
Riverfront Stadium | ||
| 1994 | Steelers 14 Bengals 10 |
Three Rivers Stadium | |
| Steelers 38 Bengals 15 |
Riverfront Stadium | ||
| 1995 | Bengals 27 Steelers 9 |
Three Rivers Stadium | |
| Steelers 49 Bengals 31 |
Riverfront Stadium | Pittsburgh trailed 31-13 in the 3rd quarter | |
| 1996 | Steelers 20 Bengals 10 |
Three Rivers Stadium | |
| Bengals 34 Steelers 24 |
Riverfront Stadium | ||
| 1997 | Steelers 26 Bengals 10 |
Riverfront Stadium | |
| Steelers 20 Bengals 3 |
Three Rivers Stadium | ||
| 1998 | Bengals 25 Steelers 20 |
Riverfront Stadium | |
| Bengals 25 Steelers 24 |
Three Rivers Stadium | ||
| 1999 | Steelers 17 Bengals 3 |
Riverfront Stadium | Final meeting at Riverfront Stadium |
| Bengals 27 Steelers 20 |
Three Rivers Stadium |
2000s (Steelers 15-6)
| Year | Result | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Steelers 15 Bengals 0 |
Three Rivers Stadium | Final meeting in Three Rivers Stadium. |
| Steelers 48 Bengals 28 |
Paul Brown Stadium | First meeting at Paul Brown Stadium | |
| 2001 | Steelers 16 Bengals 7 |
Heinz Field | First-ever game and meeting at Heinz Field |
| Bengals 26 Steelers 23 OT |
Paul Brown Stadium | ||
| 2002 | Steelers 34 Bengals 7 |
Paul Brown Stadium | |
| Steelers 29 Bengals 21 |
Heinz Field | ||
| 2003 | Steelers 17 Bengals 10 |
Paul Brown Stadium | |
| Bengals 24 Steelers 20 |
Heinz Field | ||
| 2004 | Steelers 28 Bengals 17 |
Heinz Field | |
| Steelers 19 Bengals 14 |
Paul Brown Stadium | ||
| 2005 | Steelers 27 Bengals 13 |
Paul Brown Stadium | |
| Bengals 38 Steelers 31 |
Heinz Field | ||
| Steelers 31 Bengals 17 |
Paul Brown Stadium | First playoff meeting. AFC Wild Card Playoff Game. Despite losing QB Carson Palmer on their second offensive play of the game, Cincinnati took an early 17-7 lead. However, Pittsburgh would rally to score 24 unanswered points for the win. | |
| 2006 | Bengals 28 Steelers 20 |
Heinz Field | |
| Steelers 23 Bengals 17 OT |
Paul Brown Stadium | Final game for Bill Cowher as the Steelers' head coach | |
| 2007 | Steelers 24 Bengals 13 |
Paul Brown Stadium | |
| Steelers 24 Bengals 10 |
Heinz Field | ||
| 2008 | Steelers 38 Bengals 10 |
Paul Brown Stadium | |
| Steelers 27 Bengals 10 |
Heinz Field | ||
| 2009 | Bengals 23 Steelers 20 |
Paul Brown Stadium | The Bengals would give Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger his first loss to an Ohio-based NFL team in his home state of Ohio. |
| Bengals 18 Steelers 12 |
Heinz Field | This would mark the Bengals' first season-sweep over the Steelers since 1998. |
2010s (Steelers 11-3)
| Year | Result | Location | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Steelers 27 Bengals 21 |
Paul Brown Stadium | ||
| Steelers 23 Bengals 7 |
Heinz Field | |||
| 2011 | Steelers 24 Bengals 17 |
Paul Brown Stadium | ||
| Steelers 35 Bengals 7 |
Heinz Field | |||
| 2012 | Steelers 24 Bengals 17 |
Paul Brown Stadium | ||
| Bengals 13 Steelers 10 |
Heinz Field | Andy Dalton's first career win over the Steelers | ||
| 2013 | Bengals 20 Steelers 10 |
Paul Brown Stadium | Monday Night Football | |
| Steelers 30 Bengals 20 |
Heinz Field | |||
| 2014 | Steelers 42 Bengals 21 |
Paul Brown Stadium | ||
| Steelers 27 Bengals 17 |
Heinz Field | Sunday Night Football
Steelers clinch division title and complete season sweep of the Bengals | ||
| 2015 | Bengals 16 Steelers 10 |
Heinz Field | Bengals start out 7-0 for first time in franchise history | |
| Steelers 33 Bengals 20 |
Paul Brown Stadium | Bengals lose Andy Dalton for the remainder of the season after throwing an opening-drive interception to Stephon Tuitt and injuring his thumb on the tackle. A.J. McCarron finished the game for Cincinnati. | ||
| Steelers 18 Bengals 16 |
Paul Brown Stadium | AFC Wild Card Playoff Game. Despite the Steelers leading 15-0 after three quarters, the Bengals took advantage of Ben Roethlisberger's absence (due to a shoulder injury near the end of the quarter) as A.J. McCarron (in his first career playoff start) led the Bengals to 16-straight points. However, Ryan Shazier would force a fumble on Jeremy Hill as Ross Cockrell recovered the loose ball. Roethlisberger returned and led the Steelers on their final drive. On an incomplete pass to Antonio Brown, Vontaze Burfict was flagged for unnecessary roughness on a tackle to Brown's head; the hit subsequently led to the suspension of Burfict for the first three games of 2016. Immediately afterwards, Adam Jones was flagged for a personal foul due to an altercation with Steelers OLB coach Joey Porter. From there, kicker Chris Boswell made the game-winning field goal from 35 yards. | ||
| 2016 | Steelers 24
Bengals 16 |
Heinz Field |
References
- ↑ "The Rehab of Carson Palmer". Sports Illustrated.
- ↑ http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs05/news/story?id=2285361%20 2
Further reading
- Steelers, Bengals rivalry heats up
- Steelers Bengals' rivalry is one-sided, but it has grown closer
- The Best Rivalry In The NFL Grows
- A rarity: Bengals-Steelers really is a big game
- NY Times: Rare Big Game Looms for Steelers and Bengals
- ESPN