Needing a win to secure the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs, the Steelers fell short.
Cincinnati slugged out a 19-17 victory over the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium, with Joe Burrow completing 37 of 46 passes for 277 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
The Bengals played keep-away from the Steelers over the course of the game, using a ball-control quick passing to move the ball and eat up nearly 40 minutes in time of possession. Cincinnati ran 71 plays to just 58 for the Steelers.
But the Steelers defense held up in the red zone, allowing Cincinnati to score on just one of four trips into the red zone and giving Pittsburgh a chance at the end to win the game.
Game action photos from the Steelers' Week 18 game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The offense huddles during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Williams (18) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Montravius Adams Sr. (57) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The defense during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66), Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54), Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo (73), and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Preston Smith (91) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Preston Smith (91) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Preston Smith (91) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Preston Smith (91) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6), Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Cory Trice Jr. (27) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton (20) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo (73) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (25) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo (73) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (11) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek (15), Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon (49), Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Tyler Matakevich (44) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek (15), Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) and Pittsburgh Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83), Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek (15) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Tyler Matakevich (44) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
That fell short when the Steelers were unable to convert a first down to get into field goal range for a potential game-winning kick that would have secured them a trip to Houston in the first round of next weekend's AFC playoffs.
"We certainly had our opportunities to win the game, but we didn't," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. "We've got to own that. Not enough routine play make. Routine things routinely is a signature of high-floor football. I thought particularly on the offensive side we didn't do enough routine things well to move the ball with fluidity, to possess it, to score, and so the game was touch and go because of that."
Because of that, the Steelers (10-7) now must await Sunday's game between the Chargers and Raiders in Las Vegas to find out if they will go to Houston as the No. 5 seed with a Los Angeles loss, or head to Baltimore for a third meeting this season with the Ravens should the Chargers win.
Regardless of opponent, the Steelers know they have to play better as a whole as they enter the postseason having lost four consecutive games.
"We are in a single-elimination tournament now, so we better turn our attention toward playing good football and better than we have particularly in recent weeks," Tomlin said.
The Bengals (9-8) got the ball first to open the game and Burrow completed all 6 of his passes, including a 12-yard touchdown pass on a slant to Ja'Marr Chase to give Cincinnati a 7-0 lead.
After a Pittsburgh punt, the Bengals again moved into Steelers' territory, but Burrow was sacked by Patrick Queen on third-and-6 and fumbled. The Bengals recovered the loose ball, but Cincinnati got a 48-yard field goal from Cade York to take a 10-0 advantage with 1:24 remaining in the first quarter.
Facing third-and-11 on the final play of the first quarter, Russell Wilson connected with Mike Williams for a 25-yard gain down the sideline.
That play seemed to jump-start the Pittsburgh offense, which rode Najee Harris down the field to score on a 1-yard Harris run to cut the score to 10-7. Harris left the game in the second half and was evaluated for a head injury, but was cleared to return later in the game.
The Bengals drove to the Pittsburgh 38 on their next possession, but Cam Heyward tipped a Burrow thrown on fourth-and-1, causing an incompletion to turn the ball over on downs.
Late in half, the Steelers turned the ball over as Calvin Austin III fumbled a punt return, giving Cincinnati the ball at the Pittsburgh 33.
Beanie Bishop, however, intercepted a pass intended for Chase that was tipped into the air by linebacker Patrick Queen at the 17, turning the Bengals away.
The Steelers twice appeared to have a first down at their own 37 on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1, as on-field officials twice signaled first down. But replay officials quickly overturned both instances as the Steelers turned the ball over on downs.
The Bengals got to the Pittsburgh 9, but the Steelers forced Burrow into three consecutive incompletions, including to Chase on third down in the end zone, and York kicked a 27-yard field goal to give Cincinnati a 13-7 halftime lead.
Burrow attempted 27 passes in the first half, completing 21 for 154 yards as the Bengals ran 38 plays compared to 26 for the Steelers.
The Steelers were unable to move the ball on the opening possession of the second half, and the Bengals took advantage, moving into scoring range. Burrow, however, was sacked by Nick Herbig on third-and-2 from the 5 and Burrow was shaken up on the play.
Cincinnati did get a 27-yard field goal from York to extend its lead to 17-7 midway through the third quarter.
Burrow returned and again led the Bengals on a lengthy drive via short completions, moving them from their own 13 to the Pittsburgh 5 where he finally threw his first incompletion of the second half on third-and-goal from the 5 with just over 11 minutes remaining in the second half.
York came on and booted a 23-yard field goal to extend Cincinnati's lead to 19-7.
At that point, the Bengals had run 62 offensive plays compared to 34 for the Steelers, outgaining them 301-91 in yardage.
"We weren't doing enough to possess the ball, so you can talk about passing attempts, rushing attempts, they had the ball for I don't know how many minutes; we didn't," Tomlin said. "It's all a culmination of not winning enough possession downs and possessing the ball, and they did. So we are going to be short whatever way you cut it."
The Steelers went to a no-huddle offense on their next possession, with Wilson throwing the ball on eight plays and scrambling 12 yards on the other, going 65 yards in just nine plays and 2:55 to score on a 19-yard touchdown catch by tight end Pat Freiermuth, cutting the lead to 19-14.
The Steelers forced the Bengals to punt but failed to pick up a first down, punting the ball back to Cincinnati. The ball hit off Bengals player D.J. Ivey and Connor Heyward recovered the loose ball at the 37 just before going out of bounds.
That set up Chris Boswell for a 54-yard field goal, cutting Cincinnati's lead to just 19-17 with 2:39 remaining in the game.
The Steelers, with all three timeouts remaining, stopped the clock on first and second down. On third-and-3, Keeanu Benton sacked Burrow for an 11-yard loss, forcing the Bengals to punt at the two-minute warning. It was Benton's first sack of the season.
The Steelers got the ball back at their own 25 and Wilson connected with Freiermuth on a 17-yard gain on third-and-9, but after a sack on second down, the Steelers were forced to use their final timeout.
On third down and 12, while on the run, Wilson overthrew an open George Pickens, who was held to one catch for no yards in the game.
On fourth and 12 with 15 seconds remaining, Wilson's pass sailed through the arms of Freiermuth to end the game.
"Final drive we had a chance," said Wilson. "Trying to get in field goal range and get Bos a chance there. Obviously (he's) the best in the world there; unfortunately didn't go our way."
Wilson completed 17 of 31 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown, with all but 45 of his passing yards coming in the second half. Wilson was 4 of 8 in the first two quarters.
Freiermuth led the Steelers with eight receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown. Pickens was limited to one reception.
