The Cincinnati Bengals can enjoy a mini bye after a massive Thursday Night Football win over the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier.
The Bengals understood the importance of this game and found a way to pull out a shootout, 33-31, thanks to a game-winning kick from Evan McPherson.
The biggest storyline of this game was the connection between Joe Flacco and Ja’Marr Chase, which single-handedly revived the entire offense and finally got the train rolling for the first time since Week 2.
Another storyline was
the return of Joe Burrow since his injury against the Jags earlier this season.
Burrow made his first appearance (publicly) and was on the sideline throughout the entire game against the Steelers with a headset on.
Both Ja’Marr Chase and Zac Taylor were glad to see their franchise quarterback inside Paycor Stadium again and had heartwarming messages to Burrow after the win.
“I didn’t even know he was coming to the game,” Chase said after the win. “At the end of the game, I told him, ‘I know you miss it, brother. We miss you.’ I know he’s out there and wants to be out there, but it was good seeing him again.”
Taylor was also asked about Burrow’s presence on the sideline.
“Joe is a boost for the whole stadium. And he was great on the sidelines. He was doing a great job with the receivers, doing a great job with the quarterbacks. I wasn’t listening to everything he was saying, but it was almost like another coach over there talking through some things,” said Taylor.
It was a perfect night in Cincinnati, and it’s now time to build on it moving forward to stay alive in the AFC playoff picture.
