The Pittsburgh Steelers drop their fourth straight game, falling to the Bengals 19-17. With this victory, Cincinnati inches one step closer to a playoff berth, while Pittsburgh appears all but destined to face Baltimore on the road in the wildcard round. It’s a familiar story for the Steelers — a late-season collapse that raises serious doubts about their ability to contend with the Ravens.
In what was a must-win game for Pittsburgh, there were few bright spots to take away from the defeat. However, one standout performance offered a glimmer of hope amid the disappointment.
Player of the game: DE, Cameron Heyward
Cameron Heyward once again proved to be a dominant force in a standout, career-defining season at 35 years old. His relentless pressure consistently disrupted the Bengals’ interior offensive line, collapsing the pocket and forcing hurried decisions. He also showcased his trademark awareness by batting down multiple passes, including a critical deflection late in the game that gave the offense one more chance to mount a comeback.
The defense delivered a solid performance, limiting the Bengals to just 19 points — more than enough to secure a win under normal circumstances. Unfortunately, the offense’s ongoing struggles squandered a strong defensive effort, leaving the outcome just out of reach.
What's next for the Steelers?
We've witnessed another late-season collapse for the Steelers — a story Pittsburgh fans know all too well — is shaping up to be yet another disappointing playoff performance. There are plenty of culprits to blame for turning this season into a nightmare, but one common denominator looms large, a persistent factor that rears its head year after year with little hope of change.
While we can hope that Pittsburgh’s recent dominance over Baltimore provides a silver lining, this time the hole may be too deep to climb out of once again.
