Bengals vs. Steelers: Date, Time, Channel, and How to Watch for Free
Heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cincinnati Bengals are playing with their season on the line.
What’s at Stake
There’s just one remaining playoff spot in the AFC and the Bengals are currently on the bubble. A win tonight alone wouldn’t secure the playoff berth for them; both the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins would have to lose tomorrow, paired with a Bengals win tonight, for Cincinnati to punch their ticket to the postseason.
The Steelers are already in the playoffs, but tonight’s game could have major implications on their seeding, depending on the outcome of the Saturday afternoon meeting between the Ravens and the Browns. The Ravens could secure the AFC North title with a win, but if they lose, the Steelers could win the division with a win tonight.
Game Details
Kickoff at the Bengals-Steelers game is set for 8:00 p.m. ET tonight, January 4.
How to Watch
The Bengals vs. Steelers game is airing on both ABC and ESPN following the Browns vs. Ravens game. If you have cable or an antenna, all you have to do is change the channel around 8:00 p.m. tonight.
How to Watch for Free
If you don’t have cable, the only way to stream the Bengals vs. Steelers game for free is to use a live TV streaming service with a free trial.
We recommend DIRECTV Stream, which offers a five-day free trial for new subscribers. When the trial is over, you’ll pay $86.98/month and gain access to over 90 live channels including ESPN, ABC, and ESPN2.
fuboTV also offers a free trial for new users. It runs for seven days, and then you’ll be able to save $5 on your first month ($74.99, $79.99/month after).
Other Ways to Stream
While Sling TV doesn’t offer any free days, you’ll save money on a whole month of streaming rather than just five days free. Sling TV’s Orange plan, which includes ESPN, is currently half off your first month. Instead of $45.99, you’ll pay $23 and get access to a handful of NFL and College Football playoff games before the second-month payment is due.
ESPN+ costs $11.99/month or $119/year and with it, you can watch select live MLB, out-of-market NHL, NFL), and NCAA Football games, plus Formula 1, PGA Tour, US Open tennis, and more.
ESPN+ and Disney Bundle
If you want to save a few bucks every month by bundling some streaming services and watching MNF when available, consider the Disney Bundle. For just $16.99/month, you’ll get access to ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu with ads, and for an additional $10/month, you can remove ads from Disney+ and Hulu.
NFL Week 18 Schedule
Saturday, January 4
- Cleveland at Baltimore, 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, ABC, ESPN+)
- Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN, ABC, ESPN+)
Sunday, January 4
- Carolina at Atlanta, 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Washington at Dallas, 1:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
- Chicago at Green Bay, 1:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
- Houston at Tennessee, 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Jacksonville at Indianapolis, 1:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
- Buffalo at New England, 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
- New York Giants at Philadelphia, 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Kansas City at Denver, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)
- Seattle at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
- Miami at New York Jets, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
- San Francisco at Arizona, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
- Minnesota at Detroit, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)
Why Trust Post
Angela Tricarico, Commerce Writer/Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping and New York Post’s streaming property, Decider, keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on each streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. Prior to joining Decider and New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I watch the Bengals-Steelers game for free?
A: Yes, you can watch the Bengals-Steelers game for free by using a live TV streaming service with a free trial or by airing on ABC and ESPN following the Browns vs. Ravens game.
Q: What time does the Bengals-Steelers game start?
A: The Bengals-Steelers game starts at 8:00 p.m. ET tonight, January 4.
Q: Which channels can I use to watch the Bengals-Steelers game?
A: You can watch the Bengals-Steelers game on ABC and ESPN.
Q: Can I use a VPN to watch the Bengals-Steelers game?
A: Yes, you can use a VPN to watch the Bengals-Steelers game, but be aware that some streaming services may have restrictions on VPN usage.
