In the seventh week of the NFL season, Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime Video will feature a potentially thrilling match-up between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers. This game is scheduled for October 16, 2025, and will take place at the Paycor Stadium. The game has garnered significant attention due to recent developments – the Steelers have added the venerable Aaron Rodgers to their roster on a one-year agreement. This move sets the stage for a second confrontation between Rodgers and the Bengals’ star quarterback, Joe Burrow.
To understand the importance of this game, let’s delve into the historical rivalry between the quarterbacks. Rodgers had faced the Bengals four times during his two-decade-long NFL career as the pivot for the Green Bay Packers. His track record against the Bengals is a balanced 2-2, which only adds tension to the upcoming face-off.
At 41 years of age, Aaron Rodgers continues to maintain impressive statistics. In the previous season with the New York Jets, he achieved 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions from 17 games. As the 2025 season kicks off, Rodgers adds to his remarkable legacy with a total of 503 career passing TDs, just a handful short of his former teammate Brett Favre’s record.
Digging into Rodgers’ legacy, it’s noteworthy that his sole Super Bowl victory occurred while playing for the Green Bay Packers. The occasion became more special as the champions triumphed over the Steelers back in February 2011, providing an intriguing backstory for the approaching match-up.
The maiden Rodgers-Burrow contest did not end in favor of the Bengals. The Packers visited Cincinnati in October 2021, a climactic season that saw the Bengals make it to the Super Bowl. Beginning 3-1, both Bengals and Packers entered the game on an even keel.
As the dramatic game unfolded, the Bengals pulled off a Joe Mixon touchdown run with about three and a half minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. An impressive 2-point conversion from Burrow to Tee Higgins livened up the game. Yet, in a disheartening turn of events for the Bengals, a 49-yard field goal kick by Mason Crosby secured an overtime victory for the Packers, with the final score being 25-22.
In this suspenseful match, Rodgers showcased commendable performance, completing 27 out of 38 passes for 344 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception. Notably, this wasn’t the first time Rodgers and the Packers had blindly snatched victory from the Bengals in overtime. Back in 2017, the Packers managed a similar outcome.
When the Bengals, with Andy Dalton at the helm, traveled to Lambeau Field in September 2017, they led by 21-7 at halftime. However, a dynamic second half from the Packers saw them overturn the deficit and outscore the Bengals 17-3. Rodgers threw for 313 yards with three TDs, guiding his team to another overtime win with a decisive Crosby field goal.
Rodgers’ first couple of encounters with the Bengals, however, were not in his favor, adding more spice to the rivalry. In September 2013, Dalton led the Bengals to a dramatic victory over Rodgers and the Packers. The game featured an astonishing last-minute scoring spree by the Bengals, netting 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to seal a 34-30 win.
The deciding play of the game occurred when Terence Newman picked up a fumble from the Packers and ran it back for a crucial 58-yard touchdown. Bengals fans celebrated the underdog victory in Cincinnati with fruits of their home-ground advantage.
Even earlier in 2009, the Bengals pulled out a win over the Packers at Lambeau Field, further testament to the fierce and unpredictable rivalry between these teams. This victory was secured with the combined efforts of Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, and Cedric Benson, who collectively propelled the Bengals to a triumphant 31-24 final score against Rodgers and the Packers.
As the historical context between Rodgers and the Bengals reveals a series of tight and unpredictable games, the anticipation for their next encounter is heightened. The upcoming game promises to add a fresh chapter to the intriguing Aaron Rodgers-Joe Burrow rivalry. The stakes are high and fans on both sides are abuzz with excitement.
Whether Rodgers can tilt his record in favor against Burrow and the Bengals, or if Burrow will establish the Bengals’ dominance remains a riveting question. This exciting duel adds more fuel to the expectations for the NFL Week 7 game. No matter which team one roots for, the game is sure to deliver a nail-biting spectacle worthy of prime-time television.