Bengals Keep Playoff Dreams Alive – The Cincinnati Bengals pulled off a thrilling 19-17 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night, extending their winning streak to five games and keeping their playoff hopes flickering. Despite finishing the regular season with a 9-8 record, the Bengals’ postseason fate now hangs in the balance, dependent on Sunday’s NFL action.
Playoff Scenarios: A Nervous Wait for Cincinnati
Joe Burrow and his teammates face an anxious Sunday as they watch two crucial games unfold:
- Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
- Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
For the Bengals to sneak into the playoffs, they need both the Dolphins and Broncos to lose. The Chiefs game presents an interesting wrinkle, as Kansas City, having already secured the top seed in the AFC, plans to rest several starters.
Burrow, acknowledging the team’s precarious position, said after the game, “We put ourselves in this situation, but we’re still hopeful. Tonight’s win was crucial, and now we wait.”
Bengals’ Resilient Performance
Cincinnati’s offense, led by Burrow’s precision passing, put together an impressive showing against a tough Steelers defense. Burrow completed 37 of 46 passes for 277 yards and a touchdown. His favorite target, Ja’Marr Chase, hauled in 10 receptions for 96 yards and a score.
The Bengals’ defense also stepped up, limiting the Steelers to under 200 total yards. Trey Hendrickson’s crucial late-game sack proved to be a game-changer, stalling a potential game-winning drive by Pittsburgh.
Steelers’ Playoff Picture
Despite the loss, the Steelers have already clinched a playoff berth. Their Wild Card round opponent will be either the Houston Texans or the Baltimore Ravens, depending on the Los Angeles Chargers’ performance on Sunday.
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