The Bengals defense is stepping up to keep their playoff chances slim in the season finale
It’s a miracle alive in Cincinnati.
So far, everything has gone right for the Bengals, as they kept their playoff hopes alive with their 19-17 win over Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night.
The Bengals’ offense didn’t get many big showers other than Ja’Marr Chase’s early touchdown, but for once it was the defense that stepped up all game long. In fact, the Bengals took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, but made just four field goals the rest of the way.
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The Cincinnati Bengals recover a Steelers fumble in the second quarter of the Week 18 NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (Sam Greene/The Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
After the Steelers got a touchdown of their own in the second quarter, both offenses stalled for a while – Cincy added a field goal just before the end of the half, and they added two more on each of their first two drives of the second half to lead, 19-7 at the beginning of the last quarter.
But the Steelers offense finally got going, as Russell Wilson led a 9-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Pat Freiermuth finding the end zone, making it a five-point game.
The Steelers, with 5:24 left in the game, started with a 3-pointer and punted the ball away. However, the ball was muffed by the Bengals and Pittsburgh recovered at the opposite 38, giving them life again. But they couldn’t capitalize, and on 4th-and-18 they had to settle for a 54-yard field goal to fall behind, 19-17 with 2:39 left.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers running back Russell Wilson (3) in the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (Sam Greene/The Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
The Steelers managed a three-and-out and got the ball inside the two-minute warning, needing a field goal to win. On third down, Wilson saw an open ball from George Pickens to get into the end zone, but the pass went through his hands continuing his rough night full of downs (he finished with one catch for five yards). On 4th down, Freiermuth failed to pull off a pass, and the Bengals ran down the clock and came away with the win.
Now, the Bengals make the playoffs if both Denver Broncos tie or lose to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins lose to the New York Jets.
As for the Steelers, they are still ranked No. 5, but would drop to No. 6 if the Los Angeles Chargers win on Sunday.
Burrow made another case for long-range MVP, going 37-for-46 for 277 yards and a touchdown – Chase had 10 receptions for 96 yards and a score in the first quarter.
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is brought back to his feet after being sacked in the second quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (Sam Greene/The Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Wilson was 17-for-31 for 148 yards, but the weapons didn’t do him much favors. Freiermuth led the way with eight catches (for 85 yards), but the next closest was Najee Harris with four.
I believe the Bengals will be included in the NFL RedZone on Sunday and become the third AFC North team to make the playoffs.
