Bengals lead Steelers at half; Steelers to start second half

Bengals lead Steelers at half; Steelers to start second half

Updated: 10:58 PM EST Jan 4, 2025

The Steelers are heading to primetime as they face off against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday.>> CHECK THE FORECAST: Blustery cold game day SCOREBOARD: Steelers: 7Bengals: 13The Pittsburgh Steelers will take on the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium at 8 p.m.THE LAST FOUR GAMESWeek 15: 27-13 loss at PhiladelphiaWeek 16: 34-17 loss at BaltimoreWeek 17: Steelers fall to Chiefs on Christmas DayWeek 18: Steelers host Bengals Saturday, 8 p.m. It is a must-win game for the Bengals to stay in the playoff hunt, while the Steelers, although guaranteed a playoff spot, head into the contest trying to shake off a three-game losing streak. FIRST QUARTERThe Steelers win the toss but elect to defer, so the Bengals will have the ball to start. HERE WE GO! The Bengals drive down the field on their opening drive and cap it off with a touchdown, as Joe Burrow finds Ja’Marr Chase from 12 yards out. Bengals take the early lead, 7-0. Steelers offense goes 3-and-out on their first drive, ending with a punt. The Bengals will take over. Patrick Queen is able to get to Joe Burrow and force a fumble on 3rd down. The Bengals convert on a 48-yard field goal, taking a 10-0 lead. Russell Wilson finds Mike Williams deep down the sideline on 3rd down for a 25-yard reception to keep the Steelers second drive alive on the final play of the first quarter. SECOND QUARTERAfter a long 13 play, 73-yard drive with two defensive pass interference penalties called on Cincinnati, Najee Harris punches in a touchdown on the ground from 1-yard out. Boswell converts on the extra point, as the Steelers cut into the Bengals lead, 10-7.The Steelers are able to force a turnover on downs from the Bengals, but don’t do much with it, as they punt away on their very next drive. Bengals get the ball with just over five minutes to play in the first half. Steelers defense forces a Bengals punt for the first time today, but the Bengals knock the ball loose from returner Calvin Austin and they recover the fumble. The Bengals take over in excellent field position. TJ Watt gets to Burrow for a strip sack on third down, but a defensive holding call on defensive back Cory Trice Jr gives the Bengals a fresh set of downs well into Steelers territory.Rookie and WVU product Beanie Bishop picks off Joe Burrow. The Bengals were driving deep into Steelers territory when Patrick Queen tips the pass in coverage, and Bishop is able to snag the ball out of the air. The Steelers take over with just over one minute remaining in the first half. Steelers turn the ball over on downs after Russell Wilson and Jaylen Warren are unable to pick up a first down from one yard away on consecutive plays. Cincinnati takes the ball with 48 seconds remaining in the first half.Bengals kicker Cade York converts on his second field goal of the night, this time from 27 yards out, extending their lead late in the second quarter, 13-7.The first half ends with a Bengals lead, 13-7. The Steelers will receive the ball to start the second half. THIRD QUARTERFirst half begins with another 3-and-out for the Steelers offense. Cincinnati takes over quickly after a Steelers punt.Nick Herbig comes up with a huge 3rd down sack with Cincinnati threatening deep in Steelers territory. Joe Burrow is injured on the play and goes into the tent to be examined. Cade York picks up his third field goal of the day, extending the Bengals lead, 16-7.Burrow is back out there for the Bengals on the very next drive, without missing any plays. Third quarter ends with the Bengals driving down the field once again, the fourth quarter will start with the Bengals having the ball at the Steelers 46-yard line. Bengals lead, 16-7. FOURTH QUARTER Bengals strike first in the fourth quarter. Cade York picks up his fourth field goal of the game, this time from 23-yards out. Bengals extend their lead, 19-7 now. Wilson finds Pat Freiermuth all alone in the red zone to cap off the best offensive drive of the game for the Steelers. Boswell makes the extra point. With just about eight minutes left in regulation, the Steelers cut into the deficit, it’s 19-14 now.The Steelers defense comes up huge on the subsequent drive. They force a Bengals punt and with just under six minutes remaining, the Steelers offense takes over at their own 11-yard line.Following a Steelers punt, the ball bounces off of a Bengals player’s foot, where Connor Heyward is quick to bounce on the ball for the fumble recovery. The Steelers catch a much-needed break and take over in great field position.Boswell hits a 54-yard field goal with about two and a half minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Bengals lead is cut to 2 now, 19-17.