NFL Recap: Bengals Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with 19-17 Win Over Steelers

The Bengals edged the Steelers 19-17 in a thrilling season finale, finishing with a five-game winning streak and a chance to make the playoffs.

The Baltimore Ravens have secured the AFC North title and the third seed in the conference with a dominating 35-10 win over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday. This impressive victory was fueled by Lamar Jackson's outstanding performance, which added another remarkable record to his portfolio. As a result, the Ravens will kick off the NFL playoffs next week with a home game against either the Los Angeles Chargers or the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Ravens' win over the Browns marked a significant milestone, as they wrapped up their second consecutive AFC North title. With a 12-5 record, the Ravens have solidified their position as the third seed in the conference. This achievement is a testament to the team's hard work and dedication, and they're now poised to make a strong run in the playoffs.

The Bengals, meanwhile, have kept their playoff hopes alive with a crucial win over the Steelers. Although their playoff fate is still uncertain, the Bengals remain in contention for a spot in the postseason. The NFL playoff picture is shaping up to be an exciting one, with several teams vying for positions in the coming weeks.

A division rival at home for Wild Card 😈 pic.twitter.com/UzIbCRXaRz

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 6, 2025

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh faced a worrying moment when his top wide receiver, Zay Flowers, suffered a right knee injury in the second quarter. Flowers, who limped off the field, has been quarterback Lamar Jackson's go-to receiver, leading the team with 1,059 yards on 74 receptions.

Lamar Jackson had a notable performance, throwing for 217 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 63 yards. His impressive season has put him in the running for his third Most Valuable Player award. Jackson made history by ending the regular season with 4,172 yards passing and 915 yards rushing, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to achieve 4,000+ passing yards and 800+ rushing yards in a single season.

The Cleveland Browns ended their disappointing season with a sixth consecutive loss, failing to put up a fight against the Baltimore Ravens, who secured a dominating 35-10 win. The game started on the wrong foot for the Browns, with quarterback Bailey Zappe's first drive ending in an interception returned 26 yards for a touchdown by Nate Wiggins.

Lamar Jackson led the Ravens to a convincing victory, throwing two touchdown passes, including a 12-yarder to Mark Andrews in the second quarter, which opened up a 14-0 lead. Jackson also connected with Rashod Bateman for a seven-yard touchdown pass. Although the Browns managed to reduce the deficit with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Zappe to Jordan Akins, the Ravens sealed the win with two rushing scores from Derrick Henry, including an impressive 43-yard effort.

Derrick Henry was a key player for the Ravens, rushing for 138 yards on 20 carries. The Ravens' victory marked a remarkable turnaround from their 0-2 start to the season, ending with a 12-5 record. In contrast, the Browns finished with a dismal 3-14 record, closing out their season on a low note.

The Cincinnati Bengals have kept their playoff hopes alive by ending the regular season with a five-game winning streak, despite starting the season with a 4-8 record. This impressive turnaround has given them a chance to make the postseason, but it's not entirely in their hands.

To secure a playoff spot, the Bengals need two specific results to go their way on Sunday. Firstly, the Kansas City Chiefs must beat the Denver Broncos. Secondly, the New York Jets must prevent the Miami Dolphins from winning. It's a tense wait for the Bengals, but their 19-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers has given them a glimmer of hope.

The Steelers, who had already secured a playoff spot, suffered their fourth consecutive loss, which could potentially see them end up with the sixth seed depending on Sunday's outcomes. The Bengals' win was marked by a strong performance from quarterback Joe Burrow, who found Ja'Marr Chase with a 12-yard pass in the freezing cold to open the scoring.

The Steelers kept their hopes alive with a crucial one-yard rush into the end zone from Najee Harris. This touchdown helped Pittsburgh stay within striking distance, despite their offense struggling to find its rhythm.

Although the Steelers' offense was misfiring, their defense stepped up to limit the Bengals to just three field goals. However, this still left Pittsburgh trailing 19-7 in the fourth quarter. The Bengals' defense had done its job, but the Steelers weren't ready to give up yet.

In a thrilling turn of events, Pittsburgh quarterback Russell Wilson launched a 19-yard touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth, narrowing the deficit to just five points. The Steelers' momentum was short-lived, however, as they could only manage a field goal in their next possession. Ultimately, the Bengals held on to secure a hard-fought 19-17 victory.