Bengals vs. Steelers final score results Cincinnati holds off Pittsburgh rally to keep playoff hopes aliv

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The traveled to to square off in a cla sic AFC North clash in the freezing January weather. The division was already decided by the time this game kicked off, but with playoff fates still on the line, that didn't stop either team from fighting for all four quarters. While all 17 games are important to every NFL team, this game took on extra significance for the Bengals. They've been clinging to their playoff hopes for numerous weeks and needed a win in this one to keep their dream alive. In a game highlighted by offensive shortcomings and a handful of key defensive plays, Cincinnati will live to see another day following a 19-17 victory over Pittsburgh. With the last Sunday slate of the NFL regular season set to kick off, everyone in Cincinnati now becomes and fans for the day in hopes that they'll be able to sneak into the AFC's No. 7 seed. Joe Burrow (37-of-46, 277 yards, TD, INT) didn't put up his usual gaudy numbers, but he did just enough with Ja'Marr Chase (10-96-1) to overcome for the lo s Tee Higgins (ankle) in the second half. Trey Hendrickson wreaked havoc on the defensive end, racking up 3.5 sacks to maintain the NFL lead with 17.5. On the other side of the ball, this marked the fourth game in a disheartening losing streak for the . After recording just 193 yards of offense, it's clear that Pittsburgh will need to make some changes on offense as the playoffs approach. Ru sell Wilson (17-of-31, 148 yards, TD) led a late rally that saw Pittsburgh score the game's final 10 points, but a potential game-winning drive came up short after a turnover on downs in the final minute. George Pickens had a particularly tough night, catching just 1-of-6 targets for no yards while dropping several key pa ses. The Steelers are likely ticketed for a first-round matchup with the AFC North champion , though a ' upset of the would send them to instead of Baltimore. The game may be over, but The Sporting News tracked all of the key plays and moments from this divisional nail-biter. Check out the highlights that you may have mi sed from this one. Bengals vs. Steelers score 1 2 3 4 F Bengals 10 3 3 3 19 Steelers 0 7 0 10 17 SN's NFL HQ: | | Who won the Bengals vs. Steelers game? (All times Eastern) Final: Bengals 19, Steelers 17 11:09 p.m. TURNOVER ON DOWNS With the game on the line, Wilson goes to his trusty tight end, Pat Friermuth. The pa s slips through his hands and the Bengals take over on downs. Joe Burrow takes a knee and the Bengals have now won five straight games. 11:07 p.m. Pittsburgh has to get the ball moving downfield to set up for a field goal. Pickens is open downfield but Wilson can't connect with him, bringing up 4th down. 11:06 p.m. Trey Hendrickson is unconscious! He sacks Ru sell Wilson for his 3.5 sack on the night and bring up 3rd & 12. Pittsburgh is forced to use their final timeout on the play. 11:04 p.m. Pittsburgh is down two and they need to get into field goal range with le s than two minutes remaining. Wilson hooks up with Pat Friermuth for a 17-yard gain to get the ball to the Pittsburgh 42. 11:00 p.m. The Pittsburgh defense comes up big on what may have been the most important play of the game! Keeanu Benton recorded his first sack of the season with a shoe-string tackle on Burrow as he tried to escape the pocket. Keeanu Benton's first sack of the season is a BIG one for the ! They force the punt down two with two minutes to go : on ESPN/ABC : Stream on and ESPN+ NFL (@NFL) 10:59 p.m. With just a couple of first downs needed to close out the game, the Bengals turned to their No. 1 receiver, Ja'Marr Chase on a quick screen. He was able to pick up a handful of yards to bring up 3rd & 3. Bengals 19, Steelers 17 10:56 p.m. FIELD GOAL Following a holding penalty, the Steelers were backed up into the outskirts of field goal range. The 54-yard kick was no problem for Pro Bowl kicker Chris Boswell, who drilled the kick Norvel Pelle Jersey with plenty of distance to spare. 10:54 p.m. Trey Hendrickson has taken down Ru sell Wilson yet again! He records his second sack of the game to force Pittsburgh into third and long. 10:52 p.m. FUMBLE The Steelers get the break they needed! The punt bounces of DJ Ivey's foot and Pittsburgh is able to recover the ricochet. Pittsburgh takes over on the Cincinnati 38-yard line. Chaos happening! NFL (@NFL) 10:50 p.m. It's quickly third down for the Steelers. Wilson is looking for Pickens, but Cam Taylor-Britt has him blanketed. With the ball deep in their own territory, Pittsburgh will have to punt. 10:47 p.m. Burrow finds Gesicki once again on third down, but it's short of the sticks. The completion brings up 4th & 6 and the punting unit takes the field. Calvin Austin cleanly fields the punt and Ru sell Wilson is back on the field. 10:44 p.m. After a batted pa s on first down, Burrow silences the crowd in Pittsburgh with a nice play. He steps up in the pocket and finds Mike Gesicki (of course) to give the Bengals a first down. Bengals 19, Steelers 14 10:41 p.m. TOUCHDOWN Cincinnati has a breakdown in the secondary and leave Pat Friermuth wide open. Wilson hits the open man and Friermuth strolls in for the touchdown. We've got a one-score game in Pittsburgh! Wilson to Freiermuth for six! The cut it to a one-score game. : on ESPN/ABC : Stream on and ESPN+ NFL (@NFL) 10:40 p.m. Ru sell Wilson has the crowd fired up for the first time in the second half. After bobbling the snap, he runs up the middle for a 12-yard game. 10:36 p.m. Najee Harris just made a big man play, shedding several tackles and carrying multiple defenders for a gritty 12 yards. Unfortunately, he was shaken up on the play and is in the medical tent. 10:34 p.m. With the clock dwindling, Ru sell Wilson is finally starting to find his groove. He's hooked up with Van Jefferson for three quick pa ses to send Pittsburgh into Cincinnati territory. Bengals 19, Steelers 7 10:29 p.m. FIELD GOAL Neither offense has been able to meet expectations tonight. For the Bengals, their struggles have come in the red zone. After mi sing Mike Gesicki on 3rd & Goal, Cade York lined up for another short field goal. His 23-yard kick extends Cincinnati's lead to 12 points. 10:27 p.m. Joe Burrow put his elite pocket presence on display yet again. He perfectly navigated the pa s rush to find Tanner Hudson for a first down. Burrow stays calm and finds the open man for the first down. : on ESPN/ABC : Stream on and ESPN+ NFL (@NFL) 10:25 p.m. Tee Higgins left the field with an ankle injury a few plays ago. He has not yet returned to the field and is officially "questionable". Ideally, the Bengals will be able to lean on Chase and the ground game to close out this game. 10:23 p.m. The Bengals' drive rolls on following a phenomenal sideline snag from Ja'Marr Chase. That was a vintage Burrow-Chase play right there. Burrow. Chase. Back shoulder. Too good. : on ESPN/ABC : Stream on and ESPN+ NFL (@NFL) End of third quarter: Bengals 16, Steelers 7 10:16 p.m. Khalil Herbert picks up a first down after two consecutive carries to open the drive. As the offense gets moving, the Bengals are certainly thinking about finding the endzone to build their lead to three scores. 10:12 p.m. Arthur Smith understands that he needs to get the downfield pa sing game going in the second half and he dials up a shot to George Pickens which is unfortunately broken up by DJ Ivey. The Steelers punt it to the Bengals and Burrow is back on the field for Cincinnati's ensuing drive. 10:10 p.m. Pittsburgh is starting to find some rhythm on offense, sparked by a couple of nice carries from Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris. They'll have to get the pa sing attack going as well to threaten the Cincinnati secondary. Bengals 16, Steelers 7 10:06 p.m. FIELD GOAL Another Cincinnati drive stalls out in the red zone. Cade York hits his third field goal of the night, this one from 35 yards. 10:03 p.m. It's 3rd & 2 for Cincinnati and Burrow is doing his best Houdini impre sion. He dodges a few defenders before being swallowed up by the Pittsburgh pa s rush. It's Nick Herbig on the sack to force 4th down. Burrow landed on the football and was banged up on the play; this will be something to keep an eye on. He' Matisse Thybulle Jersey