Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats​ (Jan 04, 2025)

The Bengals-Steelers January 4 showdown wasn’t as close as the 19-17 scoreline might have you believe. Cincinnati flat-out dominated Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium in most statistical categories, keeping their playoff hopes flickering while the Steelers dropped their fourth straight.

Burrow Nearly Flawless in Key Win

Joe Burrow put on a passing clinic, hitting on 37 of 46 attempts for 277 yards. His 80.4% completion rate kept the chains moving all afternoon as the Bengals QB methodically picked apart Pittsburgh’s defense.

Starting with 12 straight completions, Burrow set the tone early. Even a third-quarter sack that sent him briefly to the medical tent couldn’t derail his performance.

“We’ve talked about being our strongest in December and January,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said afterward. “Everything we do is geared toward being at our best now.”

Chase Remains Burrow’s Top Target

Ja’Marr Chase snagged 10 balls for 96 yards and Cincinnati’s lone touchdown, continuing his pursuit of the receiving Triple Crown with season totals now at 127 catches, 1,708 yards, and 17 scores.

Mike Gesicki proved a reliable outlet with 8 receptions for 68 yards, giving Burrow multiple options as the Bengals controlled the tempo throughout.

Steelers Offense Stalled Until Late

Russell Wilson struggled mightily until the fourth quarter, finishing with just 17 completions on 31 attempts for 148 yards. The Pittsburgh attack looked disjointed and out of sync for most of the contest.

“We just couldn’t get into any rhythm early,” Wilson admitted after the game. “By the time we found something that worked, we were playing catch-up and the clock wasn’t our friend.”

Only tight end Pat Freiermuth provided consistent production, hauling in 8 passes for 85 yards including a late touchdown that briefly gave Steelers fans hope.

Perhaps most shocking was George Pickens’ vanishing act. The wideout who’d racked up 900 yards through 14 games managed just a single catch for zero yards despite being targeted six times.

Hendrickson Wreaks Havoc on Wilson

Defensively, Trey Hendrickson dominated the line of scrimmage with 3.5 sacks, pushing his NFL-leading total to 17.5 on the year. His fourth consecutive Pro Bowl nod was backed up by a performance that had Wilson running for his life.

One highlight-reel sack saw Hendrickson bring down Wilson with just one hand, showcasing the strength and technique that’s made him one of the league’s premier pass rushers.

Ball Control Tells Real Story

The stat that truly defined this contest? Cincinnati held the ball for a whopping 38 minutes compared to Pittsburgh’s mere 22 minutes. This massive possession gap allowed the Bengals to run 71 plays to the Steelers’ 58.

This ball-control formula is one Cincinnati has used effectively against other division rivals like the Baltimore Ravens when firing on all cylinders.

“When you’re on the field for that long defensively, fatigue becomes a real factor,” Steelers defensive captain Cameron Heyward explained. “We had opportunities to get off the field but couldn’t make the critical stops on third down when it mattered most.”

Total Defensive Turnaround

This win marked a stunning reversal from the teams’ December 1 meeting, when Pittsburgh torched Cincinnati for 520 total yards in a 44-38 shootout victory.

This time around, the Bengals defense clamped down, allowing just 193 total yards in a performance that highlighted their late-season improvement.

“Our season hasn’t gone the way we wanted, but we like how we closed out to get over .500 and give ourselves a chance,” Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton noted after the game.

Playoff Scenarios Loom Large

For Cincinnati to sneak into the postseason, they needed help from both Kansas City (against Denver) and the Jets (against Miami) after improving to 9-8.

“It’s not ideal,” Burrow acknowledged, “but we put ourselves in this position.”

The Steelers, meanwhile, had already punched their playoff ticket at 10-7, but Mike Tomlin recognized the concerning trend of four straight losses.

“We’re in a single-elimination tournament now,” Tomlin said. “We better turn our attention toward playing good football.”

Pittsburgh would need major offensive improvements before facing tougher competition than their recent matchup with the Cleveland Browns.

Closing Drive

The Bengals left Pittsburgh with their fifth straight win and playoff hopes intact. Their late-season surge showcased a team finding its identity at the right time, even if it might prove too little, too late. The defense that couldn’t stop a nosebleed in early December transformed into a unit capable of suffocating a playoff-bound division rival.

For Pittsburgh, the skid continues. Their promising 10-3 start now feels like ancient history as they limp into the playoffs having dropped four straight. Wilson and the offense need answers fast, or their postseason appearance will be brief.

The scoreboard showed a two-point nail-biter, but the box score reveals the truth: Cincinnati dominated in nearly every phase. Only their red zone struggles kept Pittsburgh within striking distance.

Ultimately, this AFC North battle came down to Cincinnati’s ability to execute their gameplan: control the clock, convert third downs, and keep Pittsburgh’s offense watching from the sideline. Mission accomplished.

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