Just 34 days after a shootout loss to the Steelers dropped the Bengals to 4-8, they are clinging to hope two more things to go in their favor Sunday. They need Miami to lose or tie on the road against the N.Y. Jets and Denver to fall at home to a Kansas City Chiefs squad expected to rest starters with the No. 1 seed already clinched.
A major turnaround on defense gave Cincinnati a chance. After giving up more than 500 yards and 44 points in the first matchup with the Steelers, the Bengals limited their AFC North rivals to 193 yards and forced four three-and-outs and a crucial turnover on downs in the final minute. Russell Wilson had just 148 yards passing as Pittsburgh dropped a fourth straight loss going into the playoffs.
The Bengals were just 1-for-4 in the redzone, settling for field goals on three consecutive drives, but the defense made sure that was enough.
That stretch of misfortune in the redzone began late in the second quarter after Akeem Davis-Gaither recovered a fumble on a punt return – knocked loose by Shaka Heyward – at the Pittsburgh 33-yardline. Cincinnati couldn’t take advantage, however, as Joe Burrow threw an interception four plays later to give the Steelers the ball with more than a minute left before halftime.
Cincinnati’s defense came up with stops on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 to give the offense another shot, but Ja’Marr Chase let a touchdown pass slip through his hands, and the Bengals settled for a Cade York field goal to extend their lead to 13-7 going into the break.
On the first drive of the second half, Burrow took a sack for a 12-yard loss on third-and-2 from the Pittsburgh 5, and the Bengals got back to that same spot the next series only to see Burrow’s third-down pass fall incomplete to Mike Gesicki. York, who had missed a 33-yarder in overtime against Denver last week, made field goals of 27, 35 and 23 yards Saturday.
The Steelers got right back in the game with Wilson connecting with Pat Freiermuth on a 19-yard touchdown pass to cut the Bengals’ lead to 19-14 with about eight minutes left. Cincinnati punted but got a three-and-out from the defense only to have a turnover on special teams.
The Pittsburgh punt bounced off Cincinnati cornerback D.J. Ivey’s foot and tight end Connor Heyward recovered with 5:14 remaining to set up a field goal drive for the Steelers. Those were the final points of the game.
Although it wasn’t the best day for the offense, Chase added more cushion to his triple crown lead, which should be locked up even before remaining games are played Sunday and Monday. He finished with 10 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown Saturday, and barring any crazy performances from his closest competitors, he will join Jerry Rice (1990), Sterling Sharpe (1992), Steve Smith Sr. (2005) and Cooper Kupp (2021) as the only receiving triple crown winners since 1970.
Cincinnati was without two key players on offense to start the game, as right tackle Amarius Mims was on the bench with a broken hand and running back Chase Brown inactive due to a sprained ankle suffered in the home finale last week. Mims was active only as an emergency backup, and the Bengals ended up turning to him early in the fourth quarter when Cody Ford suffered a chest injury.
Tee Higgins also exited the game around the same time with a left ankle injury. Ford returned later in the drive, but Higgins did remained out. In Chase Brown’s absence, Khalil Herbert finished with 83 yards from scrimmage.
Burrow completed his first 12 passes of the game and finished 37-of-46 (80.4 percent) for 277 yards passing and one touchdown, while taking four sacks. Cam Heyward finished with three pass breakups.
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