In a season defined by razor-thin margins and relentless determination, the Cincinnati Bengals kept their postseason dreams alive with a hard-fought 19-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18. The victory, their fifth straight, capped a remarkable turnaround after a 4-8 start and leaves Cincinnati clinging to slim playoff hopes heading into the NFL’s final day of the regular season.
For quarterback Joe Burrow, the task remains simple but excruciating: hope. On Sunday, Burrow will head to the Bengals’ training facility to lift weights, study film, and wait for two crucial results to fall their way: a Kansas City Chiefs win over Denver and a New York Jets upset of the Miami Dolphins.
A month ago, the Bengals appeared destined for another disappointing season. Seven of their eight losses came by one score or less, including a heartbreaking 44-38 defeat to Pittsburgh on December 1. Yet, instead of wilting, Cincinnati rallied. Burrow elevated his game to an MVP level, the defense tightened, and the Bengals clawed their way back into contention.
Against Pittsburgh, the Bengals showcased the same grit that has fueled their resurgence. Burrow completed 37 of 46 passes for 346 yards and a touchdown, finding Ja’Marr Chase on a 12-yard strike on their opening drive to set the tone. Chase, who tallied 10 receptions for 96 yards, remains within striking distance of the NFL’s receiving “Triple Crown” (receptions, yards, and touchdowns).
The defense, which had struggled early in the season, delivered its best performance yet. Trey Hendrickson dominated with 3.5 sacks, bringing his league-leading total to 17.5. The Bengals held Pittsburgh to a meager 193 total yards—over 300 fewer than the 520 the Steelers amassed in their first meeting.
For Pittsburgh, the loss marked a bitter end to the regular season. The Steelers, who once seemed poised for a strong playoff push, have now dropped four straight games. Russell Wilson struggled mightily, completing just 16 of 32 passes for 148 yards, most of which came during a late rally in the fourth quarter.
Wilson connected with Pat Freiermuth for a 19-yard touchdown, and kicker Chris Boswell drilled a 54-yard field goal to pull the Steelers within two points. However, their final drive ended in disappointment, as Wilson’s fourth-down pass to Freiermuth fell incomplete just after the two-minute warning.
Despite the loss, the Steelers (10-7) are playoff-bound as the AFC’s fifth or sixth seed, depending on the result of the Los Angeles Chargers’ game against Las Vegas. Pittsburgh will face either the Houston Texans or the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round.
The Bengals’ fate now rests on outcomes beyond their control. If the Chiefs, playing without Patrick Mahomes, can defeat Denver, and the Jets can overcome the Dolphins, Cincinnati will claim the final AFC playoff spot.
For Burrow and the Bengals, the uncertainty of their future is a stark reminder of how close they came to turning an improbable turnaround into a postseason berth. Whether preparing for a trip to Buffalo or packing up for the offseason, the team’s late-season surge has solidified their reputation as a resilient and dangerous squad.
As Burrow succinctly put it, “Considering where we were a month ago, I’ll take it.”
