PITTSBURGH – Joe Burrow threw for 277 yards and one touchdown, Cade York kicked four field goals and the Cincinnati Bengals kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 19-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night.
Burrow also threw an interception and his NFL record streak of consecutive games with at least 250 passing yards and three touchdowns came to an end. But he did enough to propel the Bengals (9-8) to their fifth straight victory and keep them in contention until the final day of the season.
Cincinnati will earn the seventh seed in the AFC if Denver loses to Kansas Metropolis and Miami loses or ties with the New York Jets on Sunday.
Burrow completed 37 of 46 passes, including a 12-yard touchdown to Ja’Marr Chase on Cincinnati’s first possession that gave the Bengals a lead they never relinquished. Chase finished with 10 catches for 96 yards to put the NFL “Triple Crown” for receivers (sacks, yards and touchdowns) within reach.
The Bengals’ late run began after a 44-38 loss to the Steelers on Dec. 1 dropped them to 4-8. They haven’t lost since, with Burrow playing at an MVP level and their once-porous defense playing its best football of the season.
-
Get your NFL fix with The FAN Checkdown
Matt Marchese and Donnovan Bennett break down the latest NFL news and break down the biggest games of the season heading into the Tremendous Bowl. Don’t miss The FAN Checkdown, weekdays on Sportsnet Radio Community.
last episode
Cincinnati held Pittsburgh (10-7) to 193 yards, more than 300 yards short of the Steelers’ 520 in the opener, and staved off a late comeback. Trey Hendrickson sacked Russell Wilson 3 1/2 times to increase his season total to an NFL-leading 17 1/2 on a night when the Bengals never let the playoff-bound Steelers get on track.
Wilson threw for 148 yards and one touchdown, with both the score and the vast majority of the yards coming during the fourth quarter, as the Steelers were desperately trying to catch up. Wilson hit Pat Freiermuth for a 19-yard touchdown pass and Chris Boswell hit a 54-yard field goal to bring Pittsburgh within two.
The Steelers got the ball back just after the two-minute warning, but never got into Cincinnati territory. Wilson threw incomplete to Freiermuth on fourth down and Burrow came out for a kneel that extended the Bengals’ season to the final day.
Pittsburgh is guaranteed to play next week despite a four-game losing streak. The Steelers will be the fifth seed if the Los Angeles Chargers lose in Las Vegas. If the Chargers win, Pittsburgh will be the sixth seed and travel to rival Baltimore in the first round.
Bengals: Burrow was treated by trainers on the field after suffering a sack in the third quarter. He was evaluated in the medical tent but did not miss any offensive plays. … WR Tee Higgins left with a left ankle injury in the second half and did not return for what could be his final game with Cincinnati. … Guard Cody Ford suffered a chest injury in the third quarter but remained in the game.
Steelers: Running back Najee Harris left in the fourth quarter with a head injury after a 12-yard reception.
Bengals: I expect some help on Sunday.
Steelers: In Houston or Baltimore next week.
