Bengals defense rallies to keep slim playoff chances alive in season finale

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 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night.

The Bengals offense didn’t have many big splashes outside of an early touchdown to Ja’Marr Chase, but for once, it was the defense that stepped up throughout the game. In fact, the Bengals took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, but then only made four field goals the rest of the game.

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After the Steelers scored a touchdown of their own in the second quarter, both offenses were stagnant for a while – Cincy added a field goal just before the end of the half, and they added two more on each of their two first drives of the second half to lead, 19-7 at the start of the final 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, scored three points and put the ball away. However, the ball was smothered by the Bengals and recovered by Pittsburgh on 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 lead, 19-17 with 2:39 to play.

The Steelers were able to get a three-and-out and get the ball back inside the two-minute warning timeout, needing a field goal to win. On a 3rd down, Wilson saw an open George Pickens getting into field goal range, but the pass went through his hands, continuing his rough night full of drops (he finished with a five-yard catch). On 4th down, Freiermuth failed to complete a pass and the Bengals kneeled for the victory.

Now, the Bengals will 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 fifth place, but would fall to sixth if the Los Angeles Chargers win on Sunday.

Burrow made his case once again for a long-time MVP nod, going 37 of 46 for 277 yards and a touchdown – Chase had 10 receptions for 96 yards and the first quarter score.

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Wilson was 17 of 31 for 148 yards, but his weapons didn’t do him much favor. Freiermuth led the way with eight catches (for 85 yards), but the next closest was Najee Harris with four.

It’s best to believe the Bengals will tune into NFL RedZone on Sunday to become the third AFC North team to make the playoffs.