Bengals keep playoff hopes alive, Steelers lose fourth straight
PITTSBURGH — The Cincinnati Bengals kept their playoff hopes alive with a crucial 19-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on a freezing Saturday night. In a must-win game, Cincinnati maintained control for most of the matchup but had to fend off a late push from the Steelers to secure their fifth consecutive win to close the regular season.
Now sitting at 9-8, the Bengals await the results of Sunday's games. Losses by the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins would grant Cincinnati the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC.
For the Steelers (10-7), who are already postseason-bound, the loss marked their fourth consecutive defeat, raising concerns about their form heading into the playoffs. Depending on the outcome of Sunday’s games, Pittsburgh will enter as either the fifth or sixth seed in the AFC.
Key Takeaways:
Joe Burrow’s Determination: Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow demonstrated resilience when it mattered most. After suffering a hard sack in the third quarter and briefly being evaluated in the medical tent, Burrow returned to the game, donning a black glove on his throwing hand. He delivered crucial passes to Ja'Marr Chase and Tanner Hudson during a drive that extended Cincinnati's lead to 19-7 with just over 11 minutes remaining.
Missed Opportunities: Despite controlling the game early, the Bengals struggled to capitalize in the red zone, converting only one of their first three trips into touchdowns. These missed chances allowed the Steelers to stay in contention, even with an underwhelming offensive performance.
Defensive Turnaround: Cincinnati’s defense showed dramatic improvement from their previous matchup against Pittsburgh. After conceding 520 yards in their first meeting, the Bengals held the Steelers to just 193 total yards on Saturday, including only 91 through the first three quarters.
For the Steelers:
With over 65,000 fans at Acrisure Stadium singing "Don't Stop Believin'," the Steelers showed late-game life but ultimately fell short. A muffed punt recovery by defensive tackle Connor Heyward gave Pittsburgh a chance to take the lead in the closing moments, but the offense faltered, managing just two yards in six plays before settling for a Chris Boswell field goal.
"Junior Varsity" Performance: Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin often uses the term "junior varsity" to describe subpar performances, and this game was no exception. The defense limited the Bengals to one touchdown in four red zone trips but couldn't get key stops. Offensively, Pittsburgh struggled to sustain drives for the fourth straight week, a major concern heading into the postseason.
Silver Lining: Veteran defensive tackle Cam Heyward capped his 14th NFL regular season with an impressive performance, including a season-high three tipped passes. His 11 passes defended this season lead all defensive tackles, and he finished with eight sacks.
BALTIMORE — Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens celebrated a dominant 35-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns, clinching their fourth AFC North title. However, Jackson was focused on the road ahead, insisting the job was far from over.
The Ravens (12-5) secured the No. 3 seed in the AFC and will host a playoff game next weekend against either the Los Angeles Chargers or Pittsburgh Steelers. Jackson capped off a record-setting season, becoming the first player in NFL history to surpass 4,000 passing yards and 900 rushing yards in a single season. He also threw 41 touchdown passes with just four interceptions, solidifying his case for a third MVP award.
Baltimore’s Resilience: The Ravens rebounded from an 0-2 start and overcame significant adversity, including the sudden passing of offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris before the season opener. Entering Week 15, Baltimore trailed Pittsburgh by two games in the division race, but four straight wins propelled them to the AFC North title.
Playoff Focus: While Jackson has faced scrutiny for his postseason struggles (2-4 record), his teammates remain confident in his leadership. “Locked in. Completely locked in,” said tight end Mark Andrews when asked about Jackson’s mindset heading into the playoffs.
Now, Jackson and the Ravens will aim to carry their momentum into the postseason and make a deep playoff run, with their sights set on a Super Bowl appearance.
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