Thursday night proved that anything can happen in the AFC North.
And that means the Cincinnati Bengals might still be in the mix for a potential playoff berth. Cincinnati took down the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers in a 33-31 victory Thursday night at Paycor Stadium.
Coming into the prime-time showdown, Cincinnati had lost four straight games, and the Steelers, who lost just once this season, were threatening to open a commanding lead in the division.
Instead, the Bengals closed the gap. Behind a monstrous effort from wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who finished with 16 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown, Cincinnati’s offense had its best showing of the season. The win also showed why the Bengals traded for quarterback Joe Flacco, who threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns in the win, with starter Joe Burrow on injured reserve because of turf toe.
The trade -- and Thursday night’s win -- did just enough to give something Cincinnati hasn’t felt in weeks -- hope.