It is a miracle. Live in Cincinnati.
So far so good for the Bengals, as they kept their playoff hopes alive with a 19-17 win. Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night.
Aside from Jamar Chase’s early touchdown, the Bengals’ offense didn’t get many big splashes, but for once, it was the defense that stepped up throughout the game. In fact, the Bengals jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, but then made just four field goals the rest of the way.
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After the Steelers scored a touchdown of their own in the second quarter, both offenses stalled briefly – Cincy added a field goal just before halftime, and they scored on one of their first two drives of the second half. Two more apiece, 19-7 early in the final quarter.
But the Steelers’ offense eventually caught up, as Russell Wilson led a nine-play, 65-yard touchdown drive that ended with Pete Freiremuth finding the end zone, making it a five-point game.
The Steelers, with 5:24 left in the game, went three-and-out and punted the ball. However, the ball was fumbled by the Bengals and Pittsburgh recovered the reverse at the 38 to give them life again. But they failed to capitalize, and on 4th-and-18, they had to settle for a 54-yard field goal to trail 19-17 with 2:39 left.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Accraizer Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Sam Green/The Inquirer/USA TODAY Network via Imagen Images)
The Steelers managed to get a three-and-out and got the ball inside the two-minute warning, needing a field goal to win. On third down, Wilson looked for an open George Pickens to get into field goal range, but the pass slipped through his hands and continued his rough night full of drops (he finished with a five-yard catch). . On 4th down, Freiremuth failed to intercept the pass, and the Bengals rallied to get the win.
Now, the Bengals make the playoffs if both Denver Broncos Either tie or lose to the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Miami Dolphins lose to the New York Jets.
As for the Steelers, they still sit at No. 5, but will drop to No. 6 if the Los Angeles Chargers win on Sunday.
Burrow made another case for the longshot MVP nod, going 37-for-46 for 277 yards and a touchdown — Chase had 10 receptions for 96 yards and a first-quarter score.
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Barrow (9) is pulled back to his foot after being sacked in the second quarter of NFL Week 18 action between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrizor Stadium, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (Sam Green/The Inquirer/USA TODAY Network via Imagen Images)
Wilson was 17-for-31 for 148 yards, but his weapons didn’t do him much favor. Friarmuth led the way with eight catches (for 85 yards), but the next closest was Naji Harris with four.
Best believes the Bengals will join the NFL RedZone on Sunday to become the third AFC North team to make the playoffs.