In the Bengals' 34-12 loss to the Steelers on November 16, 2025, defensive end Myles Murphy delivered his most commanding performance yet, a beacon of progress amid a deflating defeat. The 2023 first-round pick entered the game under scrutiny, with just 4.5 sacks through 10 outings and the Bengals' pass rush depleted by injuries to Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart. Facing a revamped Pittsburgh line featuring ex-first-rounders Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu, Murphy stepped up as the de facto leader of Cincy's edge rotation.

Murphy's stat line screamed dominance: a career-high seven tackles, five in the first half alone, anchoring the run defense with five stops that limited Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell's explosiveness. He led the team with six quarterback pressures, per Pro Football Focus, constantly disrupting Aaron Rodgers (and later Mason Rudolph) in the pocket. His crowning moment came midway through the second quarter: teaming with B.J. Hill for an 11-yard sack on Rodgers, a thunderous strip-sack that forced a punt and ignited Who Dey cheers in Acrisure Stadium. Murphy's bull rushes overwhelmed Fautanu, ending the rookie's recent hype, while his pursuit angles—chasing down Warren for a 3-yard stuff—showcased improved instincts and effort.

This wasn't mere volume; it was refined technique. Murphy switched sides seamlessly, exploiting mismatches with violent hand usage and a low pad level honed during the bye week. Despite a roughing-the-passer flag that gifted Pittsburgh a first down and a neutral zone infraction, his motor never waned, even as the defense surrendered a pick-six and fumble return for scores in the second half. Teammates like Joseph Ossai and Cedric Johnson fed off his energy, hinting at a budding rotation.

For a Bengals D ranked 28th in sacks, Murphy's breakout signals hope. At 22, he's evolving from raw athlete to disruptive force, pressuring coaches to eye his fifth-year option. In a season of 3-7 despair, this was Murphy's "put it all together" game—raw power meets football IQ. If sustained, it could salvage Cincinnati's pass rush and playoff dreams.

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#Bengals #NFL #OffTheBench

In the heated world of NFL rivalries, few moments capture raw emotion like a spit take—literally. On November 16, 2025, during the Pittsburgh Steelers' 34-12 demolition of the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11, Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase found himself at the center of controversy. In the fourth quarter, amid a scrum of trash talk and tangled limbs, Chase allegedly spat on Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey, igniting a brawl that saw Ramsey ejected for throwing a punch.

The incident unfolded after an earlier scuffle that drew personal foul flags on both players. Ramsey, no stranger to on-field theatrics, grabbed Chase by the facemask and unleashed a helmet-rattling swing. Post-game, Ramsey didn't mince words: "He spit on me. I don't give a f--- about football after that, respectfully. I'm all for trash talking, but that's crossing the line." Chase, the Bengals' explosive 2021 first-round pick and three-time Pro Bowler, vehemently denied it: "I never opened my mouth to that guy. I didn’t spit on nobody." But video evidence from FOX 19 cameras in Cincinnati told a different story, capturing what appeared to be a clear projectile from Chase's direction.

The NFL wasted no time. On November 17, the league slapped Chase with a one-game suspension without pay, citing Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1: "any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship." He'll miss the Bengals' Week 12 clash with the New England Patriots, costing him roughly $448,333 in salary. This marks the second spitting-related ban this season, echoing Eagles DT Jalen Carter's ejection and suspension for hawking a loogie at Cowboys QB Dak Prescott in Week 1.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor, while praising Chase's usual poise—"He's one of the best leaders we've got"—deemed the act "unacceptable." For a team already reeling from QB Joe Burrow's Week 2 injury and a 2-8 record, losing their 1,000-yard receiver stings. Chase, with 72 catches for 1,128 yards and 8 TDs this year, embodies Cincinnati's high-octane offense.

Critics decry the league's zero-tolerance stance on such "disgusting" behavior, arguing it deters the passion that fuels football. Yet, precedents like Carter's affirm the NFL's message: Spitting isn't spirited—it's sanction-worthy. As Chase appeals (or doesn't), this episode underscores the thin line between competitive fire and foul play. In a league of gladiators, one glob of saliva can sideline a superstar. Will it humble Chase or harden his edge? Only the tape—and the tape—will tell.

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Holy (Trap).

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#Bengals #NFL #OffTheBench

In a brutal AFC North showdown at Acrisure Stadium on November 16, 2025, the Cincinnati Bengals' flickering playoff aspirations were snuffed out in a 34-12 thrashing by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dropping to 3-7, Cincinnati's defense showed early grit but crumbled under second-half turnovers, while an offense led by Joe Flacco sputtered against a revamped Steelers unit. The loss halts any momentum from their Week 7 upset over Pittsburgh, exposing persistent issues in protection and execution.

The Bengals struck first, marching 75 yards on their opening drive capped by Flacco's 28-yard touchdown strike to Tee Higgins, who extended his scoring streak to four games and sits third league-wide with seven receiving TDs. Cincinnati's defense, anchored by Myles Murphy's career-high seven tackles (including a sack) and Oren Burks' nine stops, blanked Pittsburgh after their initial field goal, forcing four punts and limiting them to 188 yards through halftime. Chase Brown powered the ground game with 99 rushing yards on 18 carries—his fourth straight 100-yard scrimmage outing—adding hope amid a 9-6 deficit.

But the third quarter flipped the script. Flacco's errant pass was swiped by Steelers safety Kyle Dugger, who sprinted 74 yards for a pick-six, igniting a 20-9 Pittsburgh lead. The Bengals clawed to 13-20 late in the frame, but a fumbled snap led to cornerback James Pierre's 32-yard scoop-and-score, ballooning the margin to 27-12. Mason Rudolph, stepping in for the wrist-injured Aaron Rodgers, sealed it with a 5-yard toss to Kenneth Gainwell, who tallied two TD catches.

Flacco finished 23-of-40 for 199 yards, one score, and the costly interception—snapping his 100+ passer rating streak. Ja'Marr Chase, double-teamed relentlessly, managed just three catches for 30 yards after his 16-reception explosion versus Pittsburgh earlier. A sideline scuffle saw Steelers' Jalen Ramsey ejected for punching Chase amid unproven spitting allegations, adding fuel to the rivalry.

Head coach Zac Taylor lamented, "You feel all the losses. They all eat at you... Our option is to come back tomorrow and keep fighting." Flacco acknowledged Pittsburgh's adjustments: "They had a couple guys on him [Chase] more often... We've got to match that." With a red-hot New England squad next, Cincinnati must rally or face a lost season. The Bengals' defense forced Pittsburgh into inefficiency early, but self-inflicted wounds—turnovers, penalties, and injuries to Cam Taylor-Britt (foot) and Trey Hendrickson (hip, out second straight)—proved fatal. At 3-7, their wild-card path is a steep climb, demanding urgent fixes in a division where the Steelers (6-4) now lead comfortably.

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#Bengals #NFL #OffTheBench

In a league increasingly defined by youth and flash, Joe Flacco and Aaron Rodgers represent the grizzled veterans who refuse to fade. At 40 and 41, respectively, the duo's second showdown of the 2025 NFL season on Sunday—Bengals at Steelers—evokes a bygone era of pocket passers with ice in their veins. Their first clash, a Thursday night thriller on Oct. 16 in Cincinnati, was a 33-31 Bengals escape that felt like a nod to their Super Bowl legacies.

Flacco, thrust into the Bengals' starting role amid Joe Burrow's injury woes, orchestrated a fourth-quarter masterclass. He went 31-of-47 for 342 yards and three touchdowns, capping the win with a game-winning drive that silenced a raucous Paycor Stadium crowd. Rodgers, in his Steelers debut after a surprise June free-agency signing, nearly stole it, tossing four scores on 249 yards but undone by two picks—including a back-breaking interception in the red zone. It marked just the second starting QB matchup of 40-plus-year-olds in NFL history, behind only Vinny Testaverde and Warren Moon in 2002.

Now, with Burrow practicing but Flacco downplaying any benching—"I'm honestly not really thinking about it"—the iron man from Audubon, N.J., gets the nod in Pittsburgh. The Bengals (3-6 post-bye) desperately need this to stay afloat in the AFC North, leaning on Ja'Marr Chase's explosiveness to exploit a Steelers secondary that's surrendered 1,200 receiving yards to wideouts this year. Flacco's steady 68% completion rate and seven TDs over his last four starts make him a sneaky fantasy gem, but the road test at Acrisure Stadium looms large.

For Rodgers, wearing black and gold has been a mixed bag: 2,100 yards and 15 TDs, but the Steelers' 4-5 mark reflects offensive line woes and a run game that's averaged a measly 3.8 yards per carry. Najee Harris must grind early to set up play-action magic, or Flacco's poise could haunt them again. This "Old Bowl" rematch isn't just divisional fireworks—it's a testament to longevity in a brutal sport. Will Rodgers reclaim his four-time MVP aura, or does Flacco, the eternal bridesmaid turned Bengal savior, prove age is merely a number? Kickoff at 1 p.m. ET promises answers, with playoff implications hanging in the balance.

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#Bengals #NFL #OffTheBench

The storied Bengals-Steelers rivalry reignites this Sunday, November 16, at Acrisure Stadium, where the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4) host the Cincinnati Bengals (3-6) in a pivotal Week 11 matchup. With Pittsburgh clinging to a one-game lead in the AFC North over the Ravens, a win keeps their postseason hopes alive, while Cincinnati eyes a season sweep after stunning the Steelers 33-20 in Week 7. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. ET on CBS, with oddsmakers favoring Pittsburgh by 5.5 points and an over/under of 49.5.

The Bengals enter off a bye week, desperate to salvage their season without star QB Joe Burrow, who's sidelined by a toe injury but designated for return soon. Veteran Joe Flacco steps in, fresh off a monster 470-yard, four-TD outing against Chicago on November 2—his best since 2022. Flacco's career mark against Pittsburgh? A balanced 11-11, with 27 TDs in those tilts. He'll lean on WR Ja'Marr Chase, who torched the Steelers for 16 catches, 161 yards, and a score in their last meeting, exploiting CB Jalen Ramsey's coverage. Chase's deep-threat ability could test Pittsburgh's secondary, which has surrendered 376 yards per game lately.

Pittsburgh counters with Aaron Rodgers under center, but the future Hall of Famer's recent form is shaky: just 161 yards and two picks in a 25-10 loss to the Chargers. The Steelers' offense ranks near the bottom (280.7 yards/game), plagued by five turnovers since Week 7 and a paltry 85.7 rushing yards. RB Jaylen Warren must grind out yards against Cincy's front, while WR Roman Wilson (113 receiving yards over the last three games) steps up amid injuries. Defensively, Pittsburgh's pass rush (32 sacks, league-second) remains elite, but they've leaked 28.25 points per game recently.

Injuries loom large: Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson (hip) is doubtful, weakening their edge rush, while RB Samaje Perine (undisclosed) is questionable. Steelers CB Darius Slay (concussion) and G Isaac Seumalo (pectoral) are iffy, potentially exposing vulnerabilities. Betting trends favor the over (hitting in 7 of 9 Bengals games) and Cincinnati covering as underdogs (3-6 ATS but 4 straight divisional wins).

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#Bengals #NFL #OffTheBench

The Cincinnati Bengals (3-6) face a must-win scenario in Week 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, November 16, at Acrisure Stadium. Trailing in the AFC North, the Bengals desperately need a victory to salvage their playoff hopes, especially after a gritty 24-17 win over Pittsburgh in Week 7, where Joe Flacco stepped in admirably, throwing for 342 yards. However, with Joe Burrow's status uncertain amid injury whispers, the offense hinges on Ja'Marr Chase's explosiveness and a resurgent ground game led by Chase Brown.

The Steelers enter as 5.5-point favorites, with a total of 49.5 points signaling a high-scoring affair. Pittsburgh's defense, anchored by T.J. Watt, has terrorized quarterbacks, while their run-heavy attack with Najee Harris exploits Cincinnati's leaky front seven. Yet, the Bengals boast a perfect 2-0 divisional record this season and cover +5.5 in models like ESPN's, thanks to their pass rush disrupting Ben Roethlisberger's successor. Expect a revenge-fueled battle—Bengals ML +195 offers value for underdogs hungry to flip the script.

Fresh off their first postseason berth since 2013, the Cincinnati Reds are buzzing with free agency ambition, and Kyle Schwarber tops the wishlist. ESPN's Jeff Passan calls signing the slugging DH the "perfect transaction" to turbocharge an offense that slashed .240 collectively in 2025. The Cincinnati native crushed 47 homers with an .928 OPS for the Phillies, thriving in a hitter-friendly park like GABP, where his pull power could yield 50+ dingers annually.

Rumors hinge on a $60 million variable—Schwarber's Phillies loyalty versus Cincy's hometown pull and deeper pockets post-playoff revenue. A projected six-year, $150M deal could pair him with Elly De La Cruz for a fearsome core, transforming the Reds into NL Central contenders. Local ties ignite belief: Schwarber to Reds feels destined, per insiders, bridging nostalgia with firepower for 2026 glory.

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#Bengals #NFL #OffTheBench

In a boost for the floundering Cincinnati Bengals, star quarterback Joe Burrow returned to practice on Monday, November 10, 2025, as the team designated him to return from injured reserve, opening his 21-day practice window. Sidelined since Week 2 with a Grade III turf toe injury requiring surgery on his right big toe, Burrow has been absent for nearly two months, contributing to the Bengals' dismal 3-6 start and third-place standing in the AFC North. The injury, initially projected as season-ending, has seen Burrow defy expectations, accelerating his rehab timeline.

Burrow participated in limited drills, focusing on footwork and passing without full contact, and remains on IR until activation—potentially as soon as this week, though he confirmed he won't suit up for Sunday's clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The window, expiring December 1, gives coaches Zac Taylor and Dan Pitcher flexibility to ramp up his workload while preserving roster spots. Burrow's optimism shone through post-practice: "It would be 'very' meaningful to play Thanksgiving night vs. the Ravens," he said, alluding to the heated rivalry that has defined recent playoff battles. When pressed if Baltimore on November 27 (Week 13) is his target, the 28-year-old paused thoughtfully: "We'll see."

For a Bengals squad leaking points at 33.3 per game defensively, Burrow's return could be transformative. Cincinnati's offense, sans its field general, has leaned on backup Jake Browning's steady hand but lacks the explosiveness that propelled them to the Super Bowl in 2021. A Thanksgiving debut against Lamar Jackson's Ravens—tied atop the division at 7-2—would ignite Who Dey Nation, especially with the AFC North "wide open" per Burrow. Fantasy managers, take note: Stash him now during the bye, as a December surge looms

Burrow's resilience mirrors his career arc—from 2020 debut to MVP-caliber 2023. If he navigates the toe's lingering pain without setback, expect vintage deep balls to Ja'Marr Chase by month's end. The Bengals' playoff hopes, dim at 3-6, flicker brighter. As Burrow quipped, "Limitless hopes" ahead.

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Holy (Trap).

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#Bengals #NFL #OffTheBench

The AFC North rivalry reignites on November 16 when the Cincinnati Bengals (3-6) invade Acrisure Stadium to face the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4). Fresh off a Week 10 bye, Cincinnati enters rested and hungry, aiming to exploit a Pittsburgh squad reeling from a humiliating 25-10 primetime drubbing at the hands of the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night. The Steelers' third loss in four games has tightened the division race, with Baltimore lurking just one game back at 4-5.

For the Bengals, the bye couldn't come soon enough. A brutal stretch saw them drop five of six, including a 31-20 gut-punch to the Jets in Week 8. Joe Burrow, nursing a nagging wrist issue, used the downtime for targeted rehab, while coordinators schemed ways to revive an offense averaging a measly 17.8 points per game. Ja'Marr Chase remains a matchup nightmare, but Cincy's run game—led by Chase Brown—must grind out possessions to keep Pittsburgh's ferocious front seven at bay. The rest advantage is real: Teams off byes are 12-8 straight-up this season, per early trends.

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, is a powder keg. Mike Tomlin's crew dominated early (4-1 start) but has sputtered offensively, mustering just 159 yards in the Chargers loss—0-for-9 on third downs. Russell Wilson looked pedestrian, sacked four times, as L.A.'s Justin Herbert carved up the secondary for 248 yards and two scores. The Steel Curtain defense, anchored by T.J. Watt's league-leading 9.5 sacks, held firm (limiting Chargers to 3-of-13 on third down), but turnovers and red-zone inefficiency doomed them. Najee Harris needs volume to spark the ground attack, especially with divisional pride on the line—this is the rematch after Cincy's win a couple weeks ago.

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Holy (Trap).

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#Bengals #NFL #OffTheBench