The Cincinnati Bengals have a chance to pull off something miraculous if they can first upend the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night.
Behind MVP candidate Joe Burrow, the Bengals have recovered from a 1-4 then 4-8 start that saw their playoff hopes all but dead. Cincinnati has rebounded to post an 8-8 record entering its final regular-season game, and with a little bit of help, it can make the postseason in a stunning turnaround.
To that end, the Bengals’ matchup against their AFC North rivals couldn’t come at a more opportune time. The Steelers are entering the Saturday night tilt on a three-game skid, and though they have a playoff spot locked up, they haven’t quite looked like a playoff team.
The Steelers’ offense has taken a major step back with Russell Wilson under center in recent weeks, only able to muster a combined 40 points during that stretch. That could be a major relief for the Bengals’ defense, one of the worst-ranked units in the league entering Week 18.
USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights and more from the Bengals-Steelers clash on Saturday night below. All times are Eastern.
Steelers go three-and-out
The Steelers had no response to the Bengals’ opening touchdown. Despite starting on its own 40-yard line, Pittsburgh went three-and-out on its first drive. QB Russell Wilson was sacked by Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson on third-and-7 for a 9-yard loss. It marked Hendrickson’s 15th sack of the season, the most in the league.
Ja’Marr Chase scores on opening drive: Bengals 7, Steelers 0
The Bengals are off to a red-hot start, despite the frigid temperatures. QB Joe Burrow completed six of six passes on the Bengals’ nine-play, 73-yard opening touchdown drive. Three of those receptions went to WR Ja’Marr Chase, including a 12-yard touchdown pass right up the middle to give the Bengals a 7-0 lead over the Steelers.
Bengals TE Mike Gesicki picks up bonus
Bengals TE Mike Gesicki is $125,000 richer. He entered Saturday’s matchup against the Steelers needing 3 receiving yards to reach 600 on the season to trigger a six-digit incentive. It didn’t take long. Gesicki caught a 12-yard pass from QB Joe Burrow on the Bengals’ opening drive to collect the extra money. He can pick up another $125,000 if he gets two touchdown grabs.
Bengals playoff scenarios
The Bengals still are a long shot to reach the playoffs. Cincinnati first must win its matchup against the Steelers on Saturday in Pittsburgh. The Bengals will then need some help the rest of the way. They need the Denver Broncos to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins to lose or tie the New York Jets on Sunday.
Steelers playoff scenarios: Wild-card spot locked in after Ravens win AFC North
The Baltimore Ravens clinched the AFC North and the No. 3 seed Saturday with a 35-10 win over the Cleveland Browns. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson completed 16 of 32 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to nine carries for 63 yards. Running back Derrick Henry celebrated his 31st birthday with 20 carries for 138 yards and two touchdowns. The win wasn’t without any difficulties. Receiver Zay Flowers went down clutching his knee in the first half and was ruled out the remainder of the game. His status for the playoffs is not clear.
The Steelers will be the No. 5 seed, facing the AFC South champion Houston Texans, if they beat the Bengals Saturday night. If the Steelers lose to the Bengals, they could slip to the No. 6 seed — where they would face the Ravens — if the Chargers win Sunday.
Steelers WR George Pickens fined
Pickens’ wallet got a little lighter after Christmas and it had nothing to do with shopping. Pickens was fined $10,231 for unsportsmanlike conduct in the Steelers’ 29-10 Christmas Day loss to the Kansas City Chiefs for removing his helmet. Pickens was called for a false start on a fourth-down attempt, resulting in him putting his hands to his head and removing his helmet in frustration on the field.
Steelers inactives: CB Donte Jackson out
Donte Jackson came into Saturday listed as questionable, but he won’t suit up against the Cincinnati Bengals due to a back injury. Jackson landed on the Steelers’ inactive list, alongside WR Scott Miller, DE Isaiahh Loudermilk, DE Dean Lowry and QB Kyle Allen.
Bengals inactives: Chase Brown out
It’s do or die for the Bengals and they will be down their starting running back. Chase Brown was listed as inactive vs. the Steelers on Saturday due to an ankle injury. It’s a big blow for the Bengals. Brown has recorded 990 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, in addition to 360 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 16 games this season.
WR Charlie Jones, DE Isaiah Thomas, OT Andrew Stueber, WR Jermaine Burton, TE Tanner McLachlan and DE Sam Hubbard are also on the Bengals’ inactive list.
Temperatures drop below freezing in Pittsburgh
Stakes are high for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals in their matchup on Saturday, but temperatures at Acrisure Stadium will be very low.
According to The Weather Channel, the temperature in Pittsburgh is expected to drop to 21 degrees at kickoff at 8:00 p.m. ET. Fans and players not only have to brave the cold, they also have to withstand 10 mph winds that will increase to 12 mph throughout the contest. The frigid forecast states that it will feel like 10 degrees in Pittsburgh.
Steelers vs. Bengals start time
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT)
The Steelers and Bengals are set to kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday night.
Steelers vs. Bengals TV channel
ABC and ESPN will simulcast the Steelers-Bengals matchup on Saturday night. Chris Fowler (play-by-play) will be flanked by Louis Riddick and Dan Orlovsky in the broadcast booth.
Steelers vs. Bengals predictions, picks
Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff feels the matchup between the Bengals and Steelers will go:
- Lorenzo Reyes: Bengals 26, Steelers 17
- Jordan Mendoza: Bengals 24, Steelers 20
Left behind for Steelers game, Bengals’ Jermaine Burton also faces eviction
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton is facing an eviction notice from his apartment, according to court documents.
Burton, a rookie out of Alabama, also did not travel with the team for Saturday’s night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, head coach Zac Taylor said.
Taylor said it was his decision to leave his third-round draft pick behind, but did not comment on the reason for the choice.
— Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer
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Welcome to our live updates post for the NFL matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals. We will be providing you with highlights, score updates, and key moments from the game. Make sure to stay tuned for all the action!
Score Update:
End of 1st Quarter: Steelers 7, Bengals 0
Highlights:
– Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger connects with wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for a 20-yard touchdown pass, giving Pittsburgh an early lead.
– Bengals running back Joe Mixon breaks free for a 40-yard run, putting Cincinnati in scoring position.
Stay tuned for more updates as the game progresses! #SteelersvsBengals #NFL #LiveUpdates
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