Miracles are alive in Cincinnati.
Everything has been going well for the Bengals so far, as they kept their playoff hopes alive with a 19-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night.
The Bengals offense didn't make much of a splash aside from an early touchdown to Ja'Marr Chase, only this time it was the defense that stepped up throughout the game. In fact, the Bengals led 10-0 in the first quarter, but mustered only four field goals the rest of the game.
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The Cincinnati Bengals recover a Steelers fumble during the second quarter of the NFL's Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Acresure Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Sam Green/Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
After the Steelers scored a touchdown of their own in the second quarter, both offenses stalled for a while, but Cincy added a field goal just before the end of the first half and added two on each of the first two drives of the second half. took the lead. 19-7 early in the final quarter.
But the Steelers' offense finally got going as Russell Wilson led a nine-play, 65-yard touchdown drive and Pat Freiermuth found the end zone to make it a five-point game.
The Steelers went three-and-out with 5:24 left in the game and punted the ball. However, the ball was wiped out by the Bengals, and Pittsburgh recovered it at the reverse 38 and gave it life again. However, they were unable to capitalize on that advantage, making a 54-yard field goal on 4th-and-18 with 2:39 remaining and trailing 19-17.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson during the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acresure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, January 4, 2025. (91 years old) sacked Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3 years old). (Sam Green/Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
The Steelers went three-and-out and got the ball within the two-minute warning, but needed a field goal to win. On third down, Wilson saw an open George Pickens get into field goal range, but the pass went through his hands and a rough night filled with drops ensued (he finished with one catch for 5 yards). finished). On fourth down, Freiermuth was unable to squeeze in a pass and the Bengals took a knee for the win.
Currently, if the Denver Broncos tie or lose to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins lose to the New York Jets, the Bengals will advance to the playoffs.
As for the Steelers, they still sit at the No. 5 seed, but if the Los Angeles Chargers win on Sunday, they'll fall to the No. 6 seed.
Burrow was 37-of-46 for 277 yards and a touchdown, with another on his way to long-shooting MVP, while Chase completed 10 receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown. He scored a point in the first quarter.
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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow after being sacked in the second quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Acresure Stadium in Pittsburgh. You (9 years old) stand up. (Sam Green/Enquirer/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Wilson hit 17-of-31 for 148 yards, but his arsenal didn't do much. Fryarms led the way with eight catches for 85 yards, followed by Najee Harris with four catches.
The Bengals enter the NFL red zone on Sunday, and it's safe to say they will become the third AFC North team to advance to the playoffs.
