The Cincinnati Bengals faced a terrifying moment when their star quarterback Joe Burrow took a hard hit from the Pittsburgh Steelers, leading to his removal from the game. Burrow was hit by Steelers defenders Cam Heyward and another player, causing him to land hard on the football and be in noticeable pain on the turf. Despite the initial concern for a possible concussion, Burrow was checked and cleared to return to the game, alleviating some of the anxiety for Bengals fans. Losing Burrow would have been devastating for the team, especially as they are currently on a four-game win streak and aiming for a playoff berth.
Burrow has been a standout performer in the 2024 season, accumulating impressive stats with 4,461 yards, 42 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in the first 17 games. Many believe that his exceptional performance should put him in the conversation for the MVP award due to his consistent high-level play throughout the season. The Bengals started off the season with struggles, going 4-8 in their first 12 games, but have managed to turn things around with their recent winning streak. Currently leading against the Steelers with a score of 16-7, the Bengals are in a crucial position to secure a playoff spot with a victory.
To secure a playoff berth, the Bengals not only need to defeat the Steelers but also rely on other AFC teams to help their cause. The Denver Broncos must lose to the Kansas City Chiefs, who are resting most of their starters in preparation for the playoffs. While not entirely impossible for the Chiefs to win with backups, the Bengals’ fate also depends on the Miami Dolphins losing to the New York Jets. The Jets, who have struggled in the 2024 season, face a challenging task against the Dolphins, who have shown improvements similar to the Bengals.
The scenario for the Bengals to clinch a playoff spot hinges on a combination of their victory over the Steelers and key losses by the Broncos and Dolphins in their respective matchups. With their fate hanging in the balance of other teams’ performances, the Bengals are hoping for favorable outcomes to secure their spot in the postseason. As the season nears its end and playoff implications become clearer, Bengals fans are eagerly anticipating the team’s potential playoff run following Burrow’s return to the game from the hard hit against the Steelers. Stay updated on the Bengals’ playoff journey by visiting Newsweek Sports for the latest updates and developments.
