The miracle is alive in Cincinnati.
Everything has been going well for the Bengals so far, as they kept their playoff hopes alive with their 19-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night.
The Bengals offense didn’t have many big hits aside from an early touchdown to Ja’Marr Chase, but for once, it was the defense that stepped up all game. In fact, the Bengals had built a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, but then scored 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 NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, January 4, 2025. (Sam Greene/The Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
After the Steelers scored their own touchdown in the second quarter, both offenses stalled for a while: Cincy added a field goal just before the half ended 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 fourth quarter.
But the Steelers’ offense finally got going, as Russell Wilson led a nine-play, 65-yard touchdown 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, made three and got the ball away. However, the ball was fumbled by the Bengals and recovered by Pittsburgh at the opposite 38, giving them life again. But they couldn’t take advantage and on 4th and 18 they had to settle for a 54-yard field goal to make it 19-17 with 2:39 left.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback 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 on Saturday, January 4, 2025. (Sam Greene/The Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
The Steelers hit a three-pointer and got the ball inside the two-minute warning, needing a field goal to win. On a third down, Wilson spotted an open George Pickens to get into field goal range, but the pass slipped out of his hands, continuing his tough night full of falls (he finished with one reception for five yards). On fourth down, Freiermuth couldn’t squeeze in a pass and the Bengals took a knee out of the clock to get the win.
Now, the Bengals make the playoffs if the 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 in the No. 5 spot, but would drop to No. 6 if the Los Angeles Chargers win on Sunday.
Burrow made another case for a possible MVP award, going 37 of 46 for 277 yards and a touchdown: Chase made 10 catches for 96 yards and the first-quarter score.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) stands up after being sacked in the second quarter of the Week 18 NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, January 4, 2025. (Sam Greene/The Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Wilson was 17 of 31 for 148 yards, but his weapons didn’t do him many favors. Freiermuth led the way with eight receptions (for 85 yards), but the next closest was Najee Harris with four.
Best believe the Bengals will tune into NFL RedZone on Sunday to become the third AFC North team to make the playoffs.
