The Bengals defense is stepping up to keep their slim playoff chances alive in the season finale

It’s a miracle Lives in Cincinnati.

Everything went right for the Bengals so far as they kept their playoff hopes alive with a 19-17 win. Pittsburgh Steelers on saturday night.

The Bengals’ offense didn’t get much of a jump outside of an early touchdown to Ja’Marr Chase, but it was the defense that stepped up once throughout the game. In fact, the Bengals jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, but then scored just four the rest of the way.

CLICK HERE FOR SPORTS ON FOXNEWS.COM

The Cincinnati Bengals punt during the second quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

After the Steelers scored a touchdown of their own in the second quarter, both offenses stalled – Cincy added a field goal before halftime and two more on each of its first two drives of the second half to lead, 19-7, early in the final quarter.

The Steelers offense finally got going as Russell Wilson led a nine-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Pat Freiermuth, making it a five-point game.

With 5:24 left in the game, the Steelers went three-and-out and punted the ball away. However, the ball was fumbled by the Bengals and recovered by Pittsburgh on the reverse 38, giving them life again. But they couldn’t capitalize and settled for a 54-yard field goal on 4th-and-18 with 2:39 left to make it 19-17.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 2, in Pittsburgh. (Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

The Steelers managed to get a three-and-out and got the ball inside the two-minute warning, needing a field goal to win. On 3rd down, Wilson spotted an open George Pickens to get on the field, but the pass slipped through his hands, continuing his rough night full of drops (he finished with one catch for five yards). On 4th down, Freiermuth failed to intercept a pass, and the Bengals ran out the clock for the win.

Now, the Bengals are headed to the playoffs Denver Broncos either tie or lose against the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Miami Dolphins lose to the New York Jets.

As for the Steelers, they still sit at the No. 5 seed, but if the Los Angeles Chargers win on Sunday, they will drop to No. 6.

Burrow made another claim for the longtime MVP title by going 37-46 for 277 yards and a touchdown — Chase had 10 receptions for 96 yards and a score in the first quarter.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) gets up after being sacked during the second quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Wilson was 17-31 for 148 yards, but his weapons didn’t do him much favors. Freiermuth led the way with eight catches (for 85 yards), but the next closest was Najee Harris with four.

Best believe the Bengals will be rooting for the NFL RedZone on Sunday to become the third AFC North team to make the playoffs.