The Cincinnati Bengals’ playoff hopes are still alive after narrowly defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 19-17 on Saturday.
Despite starting the season 4-8, the Bengals have closed on a five-game win streak and have a path to the postseason if the Denver Broncos lose to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins lose to or tie the New York Jets on Sunday.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said it’s “not great” that their fate is in someone else’s hands, “but we put ourselves in this position. No one to blame but ourselves.’
‘We’ll enjoy this win and go and watch some football tomorrow and hope for the best,” Burrow added.
Burrow completed 37 of 46 passes on Saturday for 277 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked four times for 31 yards, including one where he ended up in the blue tent. “I’ll be a little sore tomorrow, but I’ll be all good,” Burrow said.
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The Steelers have a streak of their own going, losing the last four games of the regular season. The Steelers had an opportunity to steal the game late, but TE Pat Freiermuth couldn’t catch a fourth down pass that would have given Pittsburgh a first down.
Freiermuth had a team-high eight receptions for 85 yards and one touchdown. Russell Wilson completed 17 of 31 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown. He was sacked four times, 3.5 of them coming from Bengals star Trey Hendrickson.
Check out the highlights and top moments from the Bengals-Steelers clash on Saturday night below:
Bengals vs. Steelers highlights
Final: Bengals 19, Steelers 17
Pittsburgh forced a three-and-out to give itself a chance to win, but its last-gasp drive came up empty. Russell Wilson was tackled in bounds on a run, then was sacked in a disastrous sequence that proved fatal to the Steelers’ hopes of pulling off an improbable victory.
Bengals’ muffed punt leads to Steelers FG
The Steelers punted the ball away, but got it right back. The Bengals’ D.J. Ivey inadvertently kicked the ball while trying to block on the punt return. It was recovered by Connor Heyward before going out of bounds.
Chris Boswell went on to kick a 54-yard field goal to cut the Steelers’ deficit to 19-17 with 2:39 remaining.
Najee Harris questionable to return
The Steelers running back is questionable to return with a possible head injury after a helmet-to-helmet hit. He was evaluated in the blue tent before heading back to the locker room. Harris exited the contest with 12 carries for 38 yards and three receptions for 22 yards.
He did return, however, catching a pass on the Steelers’ final drive.
Pat Freiermuth scores to cut into Cincinnati’s lead; Najee Harris injured
The Steelers have life. TE Pat Freiermuth caught a 19-yard touchdown pass with 8:07 remaining in the fourth quarter to cut the Bengals’ lead to five points, 19-14. The touchdown was set up by Russell Wilson’s 12-yard scramble to get a first down at Cincinnati’s 31-yard line.
Running back Najee Harris went down on the drive after what appeared to be a helmet-to-helmet hit.
The Steelers said Harris was ‘being evaluated for a possible head injury’ and was questionable to return.
Bengals extend lead to 19-7
Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase says he’s always open and he highlighted that on a 19-yard reception from Joe Burrow. Chase caught the pass over his back shoulder before turning and dragging his foot along the sideline.
The Bengals’ drive stalled, however, and they weren’t able to capitalize on another trip to the red zone. Cincinnati settled for a field goal to go up 19-7.
Joe Burrow cleared; Tee Higgins questionable
Joe Burrow is out of the blue tent and back in the game.
Burrow was evaluated for a concussion after he was driven to the ground on a sack, but he was cleared to return without missing a drive. WR Tee Higgins, however, was deemed questionable to return with an ankle injury.
Steelers punt again after George Pickens drop
The Steelers punted yet again after a costly drop. Facing third-and-8 on their own 44-yard line, Russell Wilson targeted George Pickens for the second time on Saturday with a deep ball along the sidelines that would have given the Steelers a first down. Pickens beat his defender, but dropped the ball. Pickens only has one reception for no yards on the night.
Joe Burrow heads to blue tent after sack
The Steelers’ defense stepped up again. On third-and-2 at Pittsburgh’s 5-yard line, Joe Burrow was sacked for a loss of 12 yards by Nick Herbig and Cameron Heyward, who both landed on top of Burrow. The Bengals QB landed face down and remained down on the field with pieces of turf stuck in his face guard. Burrow was able to walk off the field under his own power and immediately went to the blue tent for evaluation. No penalty flag was thrown for roughing the passer.
The Bengals settled for a 35-yard field goal try, which Cade York knocked through to push Cincinnati’s lead to 16-7.
Burrow exited the tent and remained on the sideline and was back in the game for the Bengals’ next series.
Halftime: Bengals 13, Steelers 7
The Bengals have a slight lead heading into halftime, up 13-7 over Pittsburgh through two quarters.
The Steelers’ defense has kept the score close, but their offense must get going if they want to snap their three-game losing streak. Pittsburgh only recorded 75 total yards in the first half, 48 of those yards coming on the ground. QB Russell Wilson completed four of eight passes for 45 yards. He was sacked two times for 18 yards.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow completed 21 of 27 passes for 153 yards, one touchdown and one interception. WR Ja’Marr Chase has five receptions for 41 yards and one touchdown.
Bengals extend lead to 13-7 with field goal
The Bengals extended their lead over the Steelers to six points with a 27-yard field goal with 16 seconds remaining in the first half. Cincinnati received the ball at Pittsburgh’s 37-yard line and made it to the red zone, but the Bengals were unable to score after Joe Burrow threw three straight incompletions.
Steelers turn ball over on downs
The Steelers turned the ball over on downs at their own 37-yard line with 49 seconds left in the first half after they failed to pick up 1 yard on two consecutive plays. Russell Wilson’s quarterback sneak came up short on third-and-1 and running back Jaylen Warren wasn’t able to move the chains on fourth-and-1.
Joe Burrow picked off
The Bengals looked like they were going to put more points on the board heading into halftime, but the Steelers forced a turnover. Joe Burrow’s pass intended for Ja’Marr Chase was deflected and bobbled in the air by Steelers LB Patrick Queen. Beanie Bishop Jr. completed the interception at Pittsburgh’s 17-yard-line.
Steelers fumble punt return; Bengals recover
The Bengals started their possession behind the sticks after being called for an ineligible man downfield and Cincinnati wasn’t able to recover. Steelers LB Preston Smith sacked Bengals QB Joe Burrow on third down at Cincinnati’s 19-yard line, leading to a punt.
Cincinnati, however, was able to get the ball right back. The Steelers’ Calvin Austin III fumbled on the punt return after Bengals LB Shaka Heyward appeared to punch the ball out. Cincinnati recovered the fumble on Pittsburgh’s 33-yard line.
Bengals turn ball over on downs
Instead of settling for another field goal, the Bengals went for it on fourth-and-1 at Pittsburgh’s 37-yard line. Enter Cameron Heyward. The Steelers’ 35-year-old defensive tackle tipped Joe Burrow’s pass, resulting in a turnover on downs.
Bengals 10, Steelers 7: Pittsburgh takes advantage of penalties to get in end zone
The Steelers cashed in on their trip to the red zone and they had help along the way. QB Russell Wilson kept Pittsburgh’s drive alive with a 25-yard completion to WR Mike Williams, who showcased his twinkle-toes along the sidelines on third-and-long to get into Cincinnati territory.
A pass interference penalty was called on Bengals CB Cam Taylor-Britt for impeding TE Pat Freiermuth, setting up the Steelers at the Bengals’ 29-yard line. Taylor-Britt was called for pass interference again on TE Darnell Washington in the end zone, putting the Steelers at the Bengals’ 1-yard line. RB Najee Harris punched it in for a 1-yard touchdown.
Bengals settle for field goal, go up 10-0
The Steelers’ defense held the Bengals to a field goal. Facing third-and-6 on Pittsburgh’s 26-yard line, Bengals QB Joe Burrow was sacked by LB Patrick Queen and fumbled the ball. It was recovered by Cincinnati and the Bengals settled for a 48-yard field goal to extend their lead to 10 points.
Steelers go three-and-out
The Steelers had no response to the Bengals’ opening touchdown. Despite starting on its own 40-yard line, Pittsburgh went three-and-out on its first drive. QB Russell Wilson was sacked by Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson on third-and-7 for a 9-yard loss. It marked Hendrickson’s 15th sack of the season, the most in the league.
Ja’Marr Chase scores on opening drive: Bengals 7, Steelers 0
The Bengals are off to a red-hot start, despite the frigid temperatures. QB Joe Burrow completed six of six passes on the Bengals’ nine-play, 73-yard opening touchdown drive. Three of those receptions went to WR Ja’Marr Chase, including a 12-yard touchdown pass right up the middle to give the Bengals a 7-0 lead over the Steelers.
Bengals TE Mike Gesicki picks up bonus
Bengals TE Mike Gesicki is $125,000 richer. He entered Saturday’s matchup against the Steelers needing 3 receiving yards to reach 600 on the season to trigger a six-digit incentive. It didn’t take long. Gesicki caught a 12-yard pass from QB Joe Burrow on the Bengals’ opening drive to collect the extra money. He can pick up another $125,000 if he gets two touchdown grabs.
Bengals playoff scenarios
The Bengals still are a long shot to reach the playoffs. Cincinnati first must win its matchup against the Steelers on Saturday in Pittsburgh. The Bengals will then need some help the rest of the way. They need the Denver Broncos to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins to lose or tie the New York Jets on Sunday.
Steelers playoff scenarios: Wild-card spot locked in after Ravens win AFC North
The Baltimore Ravens clinched the AFC North and the No. 3 seed Saturday with a 35-10 win over the Cleveland Browns. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson completed 16 of 32 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to nine carries for 63 yards. Running back Derrick Henry celebrated his 31st birthday with 20 carries for 138 yards and two touchdowns. The win wasn’t without any difficulties. Receiver Zay Flowers went down clutching his knee in the first half and was ruled out the remainder of the game. His status for the playoffs is not clear.
The Steelers will be the No. 5 seed, facing the AFC South champion Houston Texans, if they beat the Bengals Saturday night. If the Steelers lose to the Bengals, they could slip to the No. 6 seed — where they would face the Ravens — if the Chargers win Sunday.
Steelers WR George Pickens fined
Pickens’ wallet got a little lighter after Christmas and it had nothing to do with shopping. Pickens was fined $10,231 for unsportsmanlike conduct in the Steelers’ 29-10 Christmas Day loss to the Kansas City Chiefs for removing his helmet. Pickens was called for a false start on a fourth-down attempt, resulting in him putting his hands to his head and removing his helmet in frustration on the field.
Steelers inactives: CB Donte Jackson out
Donte Jackson came into Saturday listed as questionable, but he won’t suit up against the Cincinnati Bengals due to a back injury. Jackson landed on the Steelers’ inactive list, alongside WR Scott Miller, DE Isaiahh Loudermilk, DE Dean Lowry and QB Kyle Allen.
Bengals inactives: Chase Brown out
It’s do or die for the Bengals and they will be down their starting running back. Chase Brown was listed as inactive vs. the Steelers on Saturday due to an ankle injury. It’s a big blow for the Bengals. Brown has recorded 990 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, in addition to 360 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 16 games this season.
WR Charlie Jones, DE Isaiah Thomas, OT Andrew Stueber, WR Jermaine Burton, TE Tanner McLachlan and DE Sam Hubbard are also on the Bengals’ inactive list.
Temperatures drop below freezing in Pittsburgh
Stakes are high for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals in their matchup on Saturday, but temperatures at Acrisure Stadium will be very low.
According to The Weather Channel, the temperature in Pittsburgh is expected to drop to 21 degrees at kickoff at 8:00 p.m. ET. Fans and players not only have to brave the cold, they also have to withstand 10 mph winds that will increase to 12 mph throughout the contest. The frigid forecast states that it will feel like 10 degrees in Pittsburgh.
Steelers vs. Bengals start time
Start time: 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT)
The Steelers and Bengals are set to kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday night.
Steelers vs. Bengals TV channel
TV channel: ABC | ESPN
ABC and ESPN will simulcast the Steelers-Bengals matchup on Saturday night. Chris Fowler (play-by-play) will be flanked by Louis Riddick and Dan Orlovsky in the broadcast booth.
Steelers vs. Bengals predictions, picks
Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff feels the matchup between the Bengals and Steelers will go:
Lorenzo Reyes: Bengals 26, Steelers 17
Jordan Mendoza: Bengals 24, Steelers 20
Left behind for Steelers game, Bengals’ Jermaine Burton also faces eviction
Burton, a rookie out of Alabama, also did not travel with the team for Saturday’s night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, head coach Zac Taylor said.
Taylor said it was his decision to leave his third-round draft pick behind, but did not comment on the reason for the choice.
— Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer
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