The Bengals lead the Steelers at the half; The Steelers start the second half

Updated: January 4, 2025, 10:07 p.m. EST

The Steelers are headed to prime time when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday.>> CHECK PREDICTION: Stormy, cold game day SCOREBOARD: Steelers: 7Bengals: 13The Pittsburgh Steelers face the Cincinnati at Acrisure Stadium at 8 p.m Bengals. LAST FOUR GAMESWeek 15: 27-13 loss at PhiladelphiaWeek 16: 34-17 loss at BaltimoreWeek 17: The Steelers fall to the Chiefs on Christmas Day. Week 18: The Steelers host the Bengals on Saturday, 8 p.m. For the Bengals, winning the game is a must to stay in the playoff hunt, while the Steelers, despite being guaranteed a playoff spot, move into contention trying to shake off a three-game losing streak. FIRST QUARTER The Steelers win the throw but elect to defer so the Bengals have the ball to start. Let’s go! The Bengals drive down the field on their first drive and cap it off with a touchdown when Joe Burrow finds Ja’Marr Chase from 12 yards. The Bengals take an early 7-0 lead. The Steelers offense goes three-and-out on their first drive and ends with a punt. The Bengals will take over. Patrick Queen is able to reach Joe Burrow and force a fumble on 3rd down. The Bengals converted a 48-yard field goal to take a 10-0 lead. Russell Wilson finds Mike Williams deep down the sideline for a 25-yard reception on third down to keep the Steelers’ second drive alive on the final play of the first quarter. SECOND QUARTER After a long, 13-play, 73-yard drive with two defensive pass interference penalties against Cincinnati, Najee Harris hits a touchdown from 1 yard out on the ground. Boswell converted the extra point as the Steelers cut the Bengals’ lead to 10-7. The Steelers are able to force a turnover on Bengals downs, but don’t have much to do with it as they push away on their own feet on their next drive. With just over five minutes left in the first half, the Bengals got the ball. The Steelers defense forced a Bengals punt for the first time today, but the Bengals knocked the ball off returner Calvin Austin and recovered the fumble. The Bengals take over with excellent field position. TJ Watt reached Burrow for a strip sack on third down, but a defensive holding call on defensive back Cory Trice Jr. gave the Bengals a new set of downs deep into Steelers territory. Beanie Bishop, rookie and WVU product, gets Joe Burrow. The Bengals were pushing deep into Steelers territory when Patrick Queen tipped the pass into coverage and Bishop was able to snatch the ball out of the air. With just over a minute left in the first half, the Steelers took the lead. The Steelers turn the ball over on downs after Russell Wilson and Jaylen Warren failed to gain a first down from one yard out on consecutive plays. Cincinnati gets the ball with 48 seconds left in the first half. Bengals kicker Cade York converted his second field goal of the night, this time from 27 yards out, extending their lead to 13-7 late in the second quarter. The first half ends with the Bengals ahead, 13-7. At the start of the second half, the Steelers receive the ball. THIRD QUARTER The first half begins with another three-and-out for the Steelers offense. Cincinnati quickly takes the lead after a Steelers punt. Nick Herbig delivers a huge third down sack with Cincinnati threatening deep in Steelers territory. Joe Burrow is injured in the play and goes to the tent to get checked out. Cade York scores his third field goal of the day and extends the Bengals’ lead to 16-7. FOURTH QUARTER This will be updated throughout the game.