The miracle is alive in Cincinnati.
All has gone proper for the Bengals to this point, as they stored their playoff hopes alive with their 19-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night time.
The Bengals offense didn’t get many massive splashes apart from an early landing to Ja’Marr Chase, however for as soon as, it was the protection that stepped up all through the sport. In actual fact, the Bengals had gotten out to a 10-0 lead within the first quarter, however then mustered simply 4 subject targets the remainder of the best way.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
The Cincinnati Bengals recuperate a Steelers fumble within the second quarter of the NFL Week 18 sport between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photographs)
After the Steelers received a landing of their very own within the second quarter, each offenses stalled for awhile – Cincy added a subject purpose simply earlier than the half ended, and so they added two extra on every of their first two drives of the second half to guide, 19-7 early within the last quarter.
However the Steelers offense lastly received going, as Russell Wilson led a nine-play, 65-yard landing drive that led to Pat Freiermuth discovering the top zone, making it a five-point sport.
The Steelers, with 5:24 left within the sport, went three-and-out and punted the ball away. Nonetheless, the ball was muffed by the Bengals and recovered by Pittsburgh on the other 38, giving them life once more. However they had been unable to take benefit, and on 4th and 18, they needed to accept a 54-yard subject purpose to path, 19-17 with 2:39 to go.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive finish Trey Hendrickson (91) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) within the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 sport between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photographs)
The Steelers had been capable of get a three-and-out and received the ball contained in the two-minute warning, needing a subject purpose to win. On a third down, Wilson noticed an open George Pickens to get into subject purpose vary, however the move went by his arms persevering with his tough night time stuffed with drops (he completed with one catch for 5 yards). On 4th down, Freiermuth was unable to squeeze a move, and the Bengals kneeled out the clock to get the win.
Now, the Bengals make the playoffs if each the Denver Broncos both tie or lose to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, and the Miami Dolphins lose to the New York Jets.
As for the Steelers, they’re nonetheless sitting on the No. 5 seed, however would fall to No. 6 if the Los Angeles Chargers win on Sunday.
Burrow made another case for a longshot MVP nod, going 37-for-46 for 277 yards and a landing – Chase made 10 receptions for 96 yards and the primary quarter rating.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is pulled again to his toes after being sacked within the second quarter of the NFL Week 18 sport between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photographs)
Wilson was 17-for-31 for 148 yards, however his weapons didn’t do him many favors. Freiermuth led the best way with eight catches (for 85 yards), however the subsequent closest was Najee Harris with 4.
Finest consider the Bengals can be tuned into NFL RedZone on Sunday to turn into the third AFC North workforce to make the playoffs.
