Steelers’ Late-Season Slump Continues In 19-17 Loss To Bengals
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- William D
- January 5, 2025
The Cincinnati Bengals maintained their slender prospects of making the playoffs on Saturday night by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 19–17.
Despite some anxious moments, the Bengals held off a struggling Steelers squad late in the season, which was crucial for them to stay in the running for the AFC wild-card spot. so.
Although Cincinnati technically still has a chance to make the playoffs with the victory, they will need some assistance in Week 18 to do so.
The Steelers, who were previously in control of their fate and sitting at 10-3, are currently having a difficult time. Their offense continued to struggle, as they lost for the fourth straight game without taking the lead.
The offense of the Steelers has been a huge letdown, finding it difficult to score and move the ball consistently. Pittsburgh had a small glimmer of optimism as they were within striking distance in the second half, but they lost another crucial game because of their mistakes and poor clutch play.
This triumph was more than simply a win for the Bengals; it was a declaration. The Steelers defense was kept on its heels by Joe Burrow’s connection with Ja’Marr Chase, who played with elegance as usual. Although the Bengals took advantage of Pittsburgh’s errors, their defense had an equally important role in ending the game.
Cincinnati’s defense sealed the victory and maintained their hopes of making the playoffs going into the last day of the regular season by recording crucial sacks and preventing Pittsburgh from establishing a rhythm.
In the future, the Bengals will require some good fortune to qualify for the postseason. In order to give Cincinnati a chance at the wild-card spot, they will be rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets to win in Week 18.
The Steelers are essentially guaranteed a spot in the playoffs, but their performance is still a source of concern. Many are questioning whether they can turn things around in time to compete in the postseason after their recent problems.
Pittsburgh's Problems: A Declining Season
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ late-season woes haven’t stopped; they lost to the Bengals for the fourth time in a row without taking the lead. With a 10-3 record, Pittsburgh was once a playoff candidate, but they are now struggling to finish because they can’t seem to recover the rhythm that helped them win early in the season.
Their inability to consistently score goals or maintain drives has been a major contributing element to their attacking problems. Their capacity to compete effectively in the postseason is seriously called into question by their recent downturn.
When Ja’Marr Chase caught a touchdown pass from Joe Burrow during a drive that exposed the Steelers’ defensive weaknesses, the game against the Bengals got off to a bad start for Pittsburgh. Chase had to be covered by cornerback Cory Trice Jr. alone, and the mismatch led to a 12-yard score.
This early score continued a concerning trend of poor play that has beset the Steelers in recent weeks, highlighting their persistent defensive problems and setting the stage for a game in which their offense was unable to compete.
Pittsburgh’s issues were only made worse by their errors in the first half. The Steelers’ attempt to go for it on a fourth-and-1 at their own 37-yard line backfired as they were stopped short, and the Bengals were able to capitalize on solid field position thanks to a pivotal fumbled punt return.
These mistakes gave the Bengals momentum and an opportunity to increase their lead before halftime, which was exacerbated by poor execution on both sides of the ball. The Steelers’ performance was frustrating since they had chances to keep the game close but were unable to take advantage of them.
With only 75 yards of total offense at the end of the first half, Pittsburgh’s offense was appalling. It took them until the fourth quarter to surpass 100 yards, which is an incredible number for a team hoping to make the playoffs. By halftime, quarterback Russell Wilson, who was having trouble with timing and accuracy, had only completed four passes for 45 yards.
The Steelers’ continuous offensive issues were further underscored by their failure to move the ball consistently and hold drives. Pittsburgh’s dismal performance raises major questions about their potential to make any impact in the postseason, especially if they keep struggling at this rate, especially with so much on the line.
Cheers to no sleep tonight!! pic.twitter.com/uOMlBZadAy
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 5, 2025
Bengals Struggle to Survive
In their game against the Steelers, which they had to win, the Cincinnati Bengals came out on top, taking a 19–7 lead halfway through the second half. Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow were in sync once more, with Burrow finding Chase for crucial plays and pushing the ball down the field well.
The Bengals appeared to be in control and would likely hold on and maintain their playoff aspirations as the regular season came to a close, despite a couple missed chances to end the game early.
But a clumsy turnover gave the Steelers new hope just when it looked like the Bengals had the game in hand. The Steelers were able to recover the ball after a punt struck the foot of Bengals cornerback D.J. Ivey, who was blocking the play. Due to this error, Pittsburgh was able to take advantage of excellent field position and reduce the Bengals’ lead to only 19–14.
The turnover served as a reminder that, even with a lead, the Bengals couldn’t afford to let their guard down because, in a game where both teams had so much riding on each other, every possession became crucial.
When it mattered most, the Bengals’ defense stood up to the Steelers’ newly discovered momentum. Trey Hendrickson, who has been among the league’s best pass rushers this season, made crucial sacks that hindered Pittsburgh’s late-game attempts to move the ball.
The Steelers’ last-minute attempts to move the ball downfield failed, and Hendrickson’s pressure on quarterback Russell Wilson resulted in multiple critical errors. The Bengals’ defense stood strong, making crucial stops to seal the victory and preserve their postseason hopes despite Pittsburgh’s best attempts to take advantage of the turnover and narrow the difference.
Will shake again tomorrow.#RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/ASCVqf07cw
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 5, 2025
Despite their recent setbacks, the Pittsburgh Steelers have secured a postseason berth, but they now have a challenging path ahead of them. Pittsburgh’s 10-7 record has guaranteed them a spot in the wild-card round, but many are doubting their ability to contend in the postseason after their recent slump.
The Steelers will probably have to choose between two difficult first-round opponents: a road game against the Houston Texans or a rivalry battle with the Baltimore Ravens. How Pittsburgh handles their offensive problems and recent inconsistency will have a significant impact on their prospects of moving forward, regardless of their opponent.
Both teams have been extremely competitive this season, so if the Steelers play the Ravens, they will be joining a tough AFC North rivalry. The Pittsburgh offense, which has been struggling to establish a rhythm in recent weeks, will have a significant task from the Ravens’ formidable defense and dynamic playmaking skills of Lamar Jackson.
A game against the Texans, however, would present a different kind of challenge. Even though Houston has a strong defense, if the Steelers can improve on their recent performance, they may have greater offensive success.
As they enter the postseason, Pittsburgh’s offensive problems remain their biggest worry. The Steelers have had trouble scoring points in recent weeks, and their performance against the Bengals demonstrated just how ineffectual they have been.
Missed opportunities, subpar play, and an inability to move the ball consistently have all hurt the offense. Pittsburgh will need to find a way to get their offense back on track, whether it is through greater quarterback play, more effective playcalling, or better offensive line play, if they want to make any noise in the playoffs.
The Steelers must refocus and improve their recent performance as they enter the playoffs. Even their defense will be put to the test against clubs that are vying for a spot in the playoffs. Although the Steelers have the talent to contend, their current record indicates that they might find it difficult to move past the first round unless they significantly improve their offensive game.
Whether Pittsburgh can regain the form that made them a contender earlier in the season or whether their late-season problems will eventually define their postseason run will be decided in the upcoming weeks.
The Cincinnati Bengals have demonstrated incredible resiliency in the face of several setbacks and injuries during the season, and their victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers has maintained their prospects of making the playoffs.
While Ja’Marr Chase remains a potent weapon in the passing game, Joe Burrow has been a reliable force under center, guiding the offense with composure and assurance.
The Bengals have often shown that they are capable of overcoming hardship, and their five-game winning run is evidence of their perseverance and fortitude. They now have an uphill task, though, as they must have strong Week 18 outcomes to guarantee a wild-card berth and go to the postseason.
The Bengals’ offense has been led by Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, whose partnership has been essential to Cincinnati’s success. Even in difficult circumstances, Burrow’s ability to read defenses and execute accurate throws has kept the Bengals competitive.
Chase has established himself as one of the league’s best wide receivers thanks to his big-play prowess and knack for hitting the end zone. These two players, who have proven they can step up when it counts most, will be crucial to the Bengals’ ongoing success as they enter the last week of the regular season.
The Bengals need some assistance from other teams in order to qualify for the playoffs. They hope the New York Jets defeat the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs defeat the Denver Broncos. The Bengals will secure a wild-card berth and maintain their aspirations of making a deep postseason run if those outcomes turn out well.
Week 18 will be a nerve-racking wait for Cincinnati supporters as the Bengals’ perseverance has allowed them to stay competitive in a challenging AFC, but their future now rests with other teams.
Despite some difficulties, Cincinnati’s five-game winning streak has been a combination of lucky wins and strong performances. The Bengals won games against the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, and Cleveland Browns during this stretch, but they also encountered difficulties at crucial times. Even though they were significant, the wins over inferior opponents weren’t without their near calls.
The Bengals demonstrated their ability to overcome setbacks and injuries, but now their chances of making the playoffs depend on both their own play and positive league results. Their struggle to survive shows how resilient and determined they are, regardless of whether they qualify for the playoffs.