Bengals' playoffs hopes are very slim with a loss to the Steelers 44-38

With a 4-7 record, the Bengals was in a desperate need of a win against their rivals in the Steelers to stay in the playoff hunt. Cincinnati played sound ball in the first quarter as they forced a turnover and put points on the board. Heading into the second quarter, the Bengals had a 14-7 with Joe Burrow catching fire. Despite the hot start, the Bengals defense was getting cooked and grilled by Russell Wilson. Wilson was finding his groove in the middle of the field, which was a huge concern for the Bengals. In this first half shootout, JJ. Watt forced a fumble, which was the only Bengals' turnover in the first half. The Bengals walked into the locker room down 27-21

Heading back onto the field for the second half of play, the Bengals wanted to limit the amount of time that Wilson had in the pocket as well as take away the running game. Pittsburgh was gashing the Bengals six yards a pop when running the ball. Needing some type of momentum, after the Steelers marched down the field at the start of the third quarter, the Bengals blocked a 50-yard field goal to stay within striking distance. After the Bengals tacked on a field-goal, Wilson threw a 30-yard touchdown to extend the Steelers lead heading into the fourth.

Despite Burrow throwing a pick and fumbling the ball early in the fourth, Cincy kept fighting back and made it a game. The Bengals scored a late touchdown to cut the Steelers' lead to six. With only one last gasp of breath, Cincy needed a stop and a touchdown to win the game. Justin Fields broke Cincy's heart as he gained five yards to put the game on ice and ice up the Bengals' season. Burrow finished the game with 309 yards through the air. 3 td's and 1 pick. Wilson finished with 413 yards, 3 td's and 1 pick.