Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Box score, player stats, and game summary
The Cincinnati Bengals entered the final game week of the 2024 season with one goal: complete a miraculous comeback from 4-8 to make the playoffs after a year's absence. Standing in their way were the Pittsburgh Steelers, who saw their dreams of a first division title since 2020 disappear when the Baltimore Ravens routed the Cleveland Browns 35-10.
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Did they accomplish ther goal? Or did their late surge eventually prove too little, too late?
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game summary
The Bengals started the night in explosive fashion, as Joe Burrow found Ja'Marr Chase for a touchdown:
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They then forced a punt and punished it with a field goal.
The Steelers opened the second quarter with a rushing touchdown by Najee Harris, having spent six and a half minutes on their drive. Both teams then exchanged losses of possession on successive drives - first a turnover on downs, then consecutive punts - the second of which Calvin Austin fumbled, allowing the Bengals to regain possession in enemy territory.
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That drive ended in disaster after Beanie Bishop intercepted Burrow, but the Steelers then lost the ball on downs and were punished for it with a field goal.
The second half began with a Steelers punt that was punished with a field goal - a pattern that occurred again as the third quarter turned into the fourth. But at last, Russell Wilson found Pat Freiermuth for six to instantly reduce the deficit to single digits:
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Then they forced a punt on the Bengals; and although the initial drive did not bear anything significant, they regained possession via DJ Ivey muffing the return and hit a field goal.
Then, just before the two-minute warning, Keeanu Benton sacked Burrow for an eleven-yard to force another punt. However, a sack and two dropped passes, one each by George Pickens and Freiermuth, caused another turnover on downs that ended the game.
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About the author
Andre Castillo
Andre Castillo is an NFL journalist at Sportskeeda who holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Master’s degree in Journalism. He has over seven years of working experience and has also covered MMA with FanSided, wrestling with The Sportster, and automobiles with Hot Cars.
Andre follows the New York Jets and the Washington Commanders, mostly because he likes their colors. His favorite position is tight end, and players like Mark Andrews and Travis Kelce have always drawn Andre's attention when watching a game. Bill Belichick is his favorite coach, and his all-time favorite Super Bowl is the XLII edition, when the underdog New York Giants upset the then-undefeated New England Patriots.
If he can change one moment in NFL history, it will be from the NFC Championship Game in January 2019. In that game, a highly controversial no-call cost the Saints what would have been Drew Brees' second Super Bowl visit, where he would have faced Tom Brady and the Patriots.
Andre is always on the lookout for fresh perspectives in a story and ensures complete factual accuracy by double-checking all information before using it in his articles. He has an innate understanding of how to present information in an efficient and compelling way.
Outside the writing realm, Andre is a professional licensed teacher. His hobbies include watching UFC, MotoGP, playing the piano, and travelling.
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