NFL scores, live updates: Steelers and Bengals battle for playoff position after Ravens lock up AFC North
News

NFL scores, live updates: Steelers and Bengals battle for playoff position after Ravens lock up AFC North

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

The AFC North title was decided after the Baltimore Ravens’ 35-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns early Saturday, but the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals still have a lot to play for.

For the Bengals, it’s all about staying alive in the NFL playoff race. Even with a win, the team’s record on Sunday will require losses to the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins in order to play next weekend, although they have lasted longer than expected a few weeks ago. They are currently on a four-game winning streak after starting 4-8.

For the Steelers, it’s about their preferred wild card opponent. A win would mean facing the Houston Texans on the road, who have struggled lately and are in the playoffs thanks to their AFC South loss. A loss and a win for the Los Angeles Chargers mean a trip to Baltimore, where they lost 34-17 two weeks ago.

And of course, there is always pride between the AFC North rivals.

The Ravens captured the division crown with an undramatic win over the Browns, who started Bailey Zappe at quarterback, subbed Dorian Thompson-Robinson after a pick 6 and then brought Zappe back into the game. With the Cleveland offense struggling, the Ravens were ahead by several points the entire second half.

The biggest highlight: an interception by 355-pound defensive tackle Michael Pierce.

Baltimore is now locked in as the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs, behind the No. 1 seed Kansas City Chiefs and the No. 2 Buffalo Bills.

Lamar Jackson finished his season with 4,172 passing yards and 41 passing touchdowns with some of the best pass efficiency numbers in NFL history, as well as 915 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. It was the most productive and efficient season of his career. Was it good enough for a third MVP award against a strong campaign from Bills quarterback Josh Allen?

Live49 updates

  • TOUCHDOWN: Bengals 10, Steelers 7

    The Steelers are on the field after a one-yard TD run by Najee Harris.

  • A pass interference gives the Steelers first and goal at 1

    Russell Wilson attempted to hit Darnell Washington with a fade in the left corner of the end zone on 3rd-and-goal at the Bengals’ 6-yard line. The pass was incomplete, but Cam Taylor-Britt was called for pass interference while holding Washington’s left arm.

  • Mike Williams gets the toe drag catch

    Russell Wilson ended the first quarter with a 26-yard pass to Mike Williams down the right sideline. Williams dragged his left foot across the turf to make sure both feet were in.

    Bengals 10, Steelers 0 after one quarter of play.

  • Joe Burrow gets hit hard and fumbles

    On 3rd-and-6 from the Pittsburgh 26, Patrick Queen and Alex Highsmith hit Joe Burrow and caused him to fumble. Khalil Herbert recovered the ball at the 30, giving Cincinnati a fourth down.

    Cade York hits a 48-yard field goal to give the Bengals a 10-0 lead.

  • The Steelers take a 3-3 lead after Russell Wilson was sacked

    Russell Wilson couldn’t find an open receiver on 3rd-and-7 from the Pittsburgh 43-yard line, and Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson gave him a sack and a loss of nine yards.

    After a 38-yard punt by Corliss Waitman and a six-yard return by Isaiah Williams, the Bengals offense is back on the field at their 33-yard line.

  • TOUCHDOWN: Bengals 7, Steelers 0

    Cincinnati marched down the field, covering 73 yards in nine plays and ending its first drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Joe Burrow to Ja’Marr Chase.

    Burrow completed all six of his passes on the Bengals’ first possession, three of which went to Chase for 27 yards.

  • Mike Gesicki of the Bengals will receive a bonus of $125,000

    Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki needed three receiving yards to trigger a $125,000 incentive. He did that on Cincinnati’s second play when he caught a 12-yard pass.

  • The Steelers won the coin toss

    Pittsburgh won the first coin toss and will forfeit, so we’ll see how the Bengals’ offense wins

  • Steelers are playing for the No. 5 seed in the AFC

  • The Ravens defeated the Browns 35-10 to secure the AFC North championship

    It was a dominant performance for Baltimore, which outscored Cleveland on both sides of the ball and captured the AFC North title for the second straight year.

    The Ravens will now move into the NFL playoffs. Meanwhile, the Browns will have a lot to test in the offseason.

  • The Steelers defeated the Bengals 44-38 in Week 13

    As AFC North rivals, the Steelers and Bengals have already faced each other this season. Pittsburgh won the game at Paycor Stadium 44-38, with Russell Wilson rushing for 414 yards and three touchdowns.

    Joe Burrow threw for 309 yards and three touchdowns, but had a crucial fumble that was returned for a score, putting Cincinnati in a 41-24 hole.

  • Big man Michael Pierce grabs Zappe to seal the deal for the Ravens

    Baltimore DT Michael Pierce pulls off a thrilling big-man interception, fending off Bailey Zappe in the red zone.

    Unfortunately, Pierce, who weighs 355 pounds, fell to his knees and didn’t go into the end zone. If only.

  • Derrick Henry rushes for 43 yards and another birthday touchdown

    Derrick Henry makes this birthday one to remember by breaking through the Browns for a 43-yard touchdown run. Henry has now rushed for 138 yards on 20 carries in his birthday matchup.

    This could be the final nail in the coffin for Cleveland, which appears to be out of contention and now trails 35-10 with three minutes left.

  • The Ravens force Cleveland to turn over on downs…again

    Down 18 points with just under five minutes left, the Browns went for fourth-and-4, but the pass was incomplete. It’s Cleveland’s second failed fourth down conversion of the game – and fifth of the game overall.

  • Derrick Henry secures a piece of history with his 15th rushing touchdown of the year

  • Derrick Henry extends the lead with a birthday touchdown

    Derrick Henry, celebrating his 31st birthday, rushes two yards into the end zone to give the Ravens a 28-10 lead. The touchdown marks his 15th rushing touchdown of the season; Henry now has 17 carries for 87 yards in today’s game.

  • Rashod Bateman maintains his fancy footwork

  • The Browns finally get into the end zone after a tough drive

    The Browns’ drive is saved by a pass interference call, but a 30-yard pass from Bailey Zappe to Jamari Thrash, initially ruled a touchdown, was eventually overturned and ruled an incomplete pass.

    Nevertheless, Bailey Zappe continued to apply pressure. After a few brief hits, Zappe found TE Jordan Akins for the team’s first touchdown since December 15th.

  • The Ravens defense continues to dominate as Odafe Oweh gets his tenth sack of the year

  • Bengals-Steelers inactive

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *