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NFL scores, live updates: Steelers and Bengals fighting for playoff position

The AFC North title was decided after the Baltimore Ravens’ 35-10 win over the Cleveland Browns earlier Saturday, but the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals still have plenty to play for.

For the Bengals, it’s trying to stay alive in the NFL playoff race. Even with a win, the team’s record will need losses by the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins on Sunday to be able to play next weekend, though they’ve lasted longer than anyone expected a few weeks ago. They are currently on a four-game win streak after starting 4-8.

For the Steelers, it’s a matter of their preferred wild-card opponent. A win would mean facing on the road the Houston Texans, who have been flailing lately and are in the playoffs through the grace of a down AFC South. A loss and a win by the Los Angeles Chargers means going to Baltimore, where they lost 34-17 two weeks ago.

And, of course, there’s always pride between AFC North rivals.

The Ravens captured the divisional crown with an undramatic victory against the Browns, who started Bailey Zappe at quarterback, swapped in Dorian Thompson-Robinson after a pick 6, then brought Zappe back in. With the Cleveland offense struggling, the Ravens were up multiple scores the entire second half.

The biggest highlight: an interception by 355-pound defensive tackle Michael Pierce.

Baltimore is now locked in as the No. 3 seed in the AFC side of the playoffs, behind the No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs and No. 2 Buffalo Bills.

Lamar Jackson finished his season with 4,172 passing yards and 41 passing touchdowns with some of the best pass efficiency numbers in NFL history, as well as 915 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. It was the most productive and efficient season of his career. Was it good enough for a third MVP award against a strong campaign by Bills quarterback Josh Allen?

Live43 updates

  • Bengals’ Mike Gesicki earns $125,000 bonus

    Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki needed three receiving yards to trigger a $125,000 incentive. He got that on Cincinnati’s second play of the game, catching a 12-yard pass.

  • Steelers won the coin toss

    Pittsburgh won the opening coin toss and will defer, so we’ll see the Bengals’ offense take the

  • Steelers playing for AFC’s No. 5 seed

  • The Ravens beat the Browns, 35-10, to lock up an AFC North Championship

    It was a dominant performance for Baltimore, who outplayed Cleveland on both sides of the ball and locked up the AFC North title for the second straight season.

    The Ravens will now go on to the NFL playoffs. The Browns, meanwhile, will have some soul-searching to do in the offseason.

  • Steelers beat Bengals in Week 13, 44–38

    As AFC North rivals, the Steelers and Bengals faced each other previously this season. Pittsburgh won the matchup at Paycor Stadium, 44–38, with Russell Wilson passing for 414 yards and three touchdowns.

    Joe Burrow threw for 309 yards and three TDs, but had a key fumble that was returned for a score and putting Cincinnati in a 41–24 hole.

  • Big man Michael Pierce picks off Zappe to seal things for the Ravens

    Baltimore DT Michael Pierce gets a thrilling big man interception, picking off Bailey Zappe in the red zone.

    Unfortunately, Pierce, who weighs 355 pounds, dropped to his knee and didn’t go for the end zone. If only.

  • Derrick Henry takes off for 43 yards and another birthday touchdown

    Derrick Henry is making this a birthday to remember, breaking through the Browns for a 43-yard touchdown run. Henry now has 138 yards in 20 carries in his birthday matchup.

    That might just be the final nail in the coffin for Cleveland, who look to be out of fight and are now down 35-10 with three minutes left.

  • The Ravens force Cleveland to turn over on downs…again

    Down 18 points with just under five minutes remaining, the Browns decided to go for it on fourth-and-four, but the pass is incomplete. It’s Cleveland’s second failed fourth down conversion this game — and the fifth of the game overall.

  • Derrick Henry secures some history with his 15th rushing touchdown of the year

  • Derrick Henry extends the lead with a birthday touchdown

    Derrick Henry, who is celebrating his 31st birthday, rushes for two yards into the end zone and gives the Ravens a 28-10 lead. The touchdown marks his 15th rushing TD this season; Henry now has 17 carries for 87 yards in today’s game.

  • Rashod Bateman keeps up the fancy footwork

  • Browns finally break into the end zone after a grinding drive

    The Browns’ drive is salvaged by a pass interference call, but a 30-yard Bailey Zappe pass to Jamari Thrash, initially ruled a touchdown, was eventually overturned and ruled an incomplete pass.

    Still, Bailey Zappe kept pushing. After a few short gains, Zappe found TE Jordan Akins for the team’s first touchdown since December 15.

  • Ravens defense keeps dominating as Odafe Oweh gets his 10th sack of the year

  • Bengals-Steelers inactives

  • Derrick Henry celebrates his birthday with another big run

    Ravens RB Derrick Henry picks up a 20-yard gain on this run, adding another big run on the day for the birthday boy. Henry, who turned 31 today, now leads the team with 63 yards in 11 carries so far in this game.

  • Lamar Jackson knew that touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman was good the second it left his hand.

  • Baltimore gets another touchdown and a 21-3 lead

    Lamar Jackson connects with a wide-open Rashod Bateman down the middle, and the Ravens now lead 21-3.

  • Another big Jackson-Andrews connection gives the Ravens another 30 yards

    Lamar Jackson gets off a pass to TE Mark Andrews while scrambling, and Andrews is able to hold on for a big gain.

  • Browns DT Mike Hall Jr. is carted off with a knee injury

    The cart came onto the field for Cleveland tackle Mike Hall Jr., who seemed to get his leg trapped between multiple players. The rookie DT was carted into the locker room with an air cast on his right leg; the Browns later ruled him out of the game with a knee injury.

  • Ravens RB Derrick Henry gets a big 25-yard run to kick off the second half

  • Zay Flowers has been officially ruled out of the game with a knee injury

  • Ravens 14, Browns 3 at halftime

  • Lamar Jackson nimbly runs (and dodges) for a first down

    Lamar Jackson is on a rushing tear today, managing to escape four tackles to pick up 15 yards give the Ravens a first down.

    Browns DE Myles Garrett, who nearly got his hands on him first, is not happy about it.

  • The Ravens just can’t get past the Browns on fourth down

    The Ravens are 0-2 on fourth down conversions in this game. But this has been a pattern all season: Although Baltimore has a relatively successful fourth down rate against other teams, it has struggled to get past the Browns. The Ravens are 8-10 on fourth downs against other, non-Cleveland teams, but are 0-4 against Cleveland this season. It’s a strange hangup, but it looks like the Browns might just have Baltimore’s number on those conversions.

  • Another turnover on downs for the Ravens

    Baltimore goes for it on fourth-and-three, but Jackson’s pass to Mark Andrews is batted out of Andrews’ hands by Cleveland CB Cameron Mitchell. The Browns get the ball back at their own 23 after forcing the Ravens’ second turnover on downs of the game.

  • Cleveland gets on the board with a field goal

    A roughing the passer penalty helps move the chains an extra 15 yards for the Browns, but Bailey Zappe — who returned to the field on this drive — isn’t able to lead Cleveland into the end zone. The team opts to go for a field goal (despite being only five yards away), and is now down 14-3.

  • Lamar Jackson keeps the MVP conversation going

  • Lamar Jackson connects with TE Mark Andrews for another score and a 14-0 lead

  • Zay Flowers is down after an awkward tackle

    Ravens receiver Zay Flowers picked up a 12-yard reception that ended with him getting tripped up and going down. After an awkward fall, Flowers stayed down while grabbing his right knee. Flowers was able to slowly walk off the field, but it is unclear how severe the injury might be. It’ll be a brutal blow to the Ravens if he is unable to return to the game.

  • Kyle Van Noy sacks Dorian Thompson-Robinson — and gets paid

    Kyle Van Noy secured a big bonus with this sack, picking up $250,000 for getting 12 sacks this season. Van Noy only needed another half sack today to nab his bonus.

    The outside linebacker celebrated his sack in fitting fashion — by making it rain.

    Van Noy can earn another $250,000 if he gets to 14, meaning that he only needs 1.5 sacks to get the next bonus.

  • Bailey Zappe benched in favor of Dorian Thompson-Robinson

    The Browns are giving Dorian Thompson-Robinson another chance, bringing on the second-year quarterback and putting Zappe on the bench after that pick-six.

  • Lamar Jackson tries a cheeky pass, and falls short

    Now it’s the Ravens’ turn to turn over on downs: On fourth-and-1, Jackson tries beat the tackl with a hook pass, but it falls incomplete. Cleveland gets the ball on their own eight-yard line.

  • Lamar Jackson moves the ball down the field with a gorgeous throw to Isaiah Likely

  • Browns go for it on fourth-and-1, but turn over on downs

    The Ravens find themselves in excellent field position after the Browns make the bold choice of going for it on 4th-and-1 at their own 39-yard-line. Zappe’s pass intended for Jerry Jeudy is batted down, and Baltimore is in a great spot to extend its lead.

  • Ravens Pick-Six! Rookie CB Nate Wiggins intercepts Bailey Zappe and takes it to the house

    Poor Bailey Zappe doesn’t even see Wiggins coming. Justin Tucker hits the PAT, and suddenly it’s 7-0 Ravens.

    The pick marks Wiggins’ first career interception, and the Ravens’ defense is thrilled for their rookie.

  • Ravens forced to punt after two incomplete passes

    Despite his rushing yards, Lamar Jackson is struggling to get things going in the air. Two incomplete passes — to TE Mark Andrews and WR Zay Flowers — force Baltimore to punt on fourth down. Not a lot coming from this game offensively so far.

  • Lamar Jackson with two huge first-down scrambles

    Ravens QB Lamar Jackson rushes on back-to-back plays, picking up 12 yards and then 19 yards for Baltimore.

  • Bailey Zappe starts off strong

    Bailey Zappe is taking over as Cleveland’s starting QB, and kicks off this game with a strong play. On the first drive, Zappe passed to tight end Jordan Atkins for a 21-yard gain to put the Browns into Ravens territory.

    Cleveland couldn’t keep the momentum going, though, and are forced to punt to end the drive.

  • A top-three draft pick is at stake for the Browns

    The Browns are currently in line to get the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. With a loss today, Cleveland will lock up a top-three draft pick.

  • Browns safety Rodney McLeod wears a pair of custom cleats for his final NFL game

    McLeod, who is retiring after this season, showed up to Saturday’s game in a pair of custom Nike cleats, styled to look like Jordans and sprinkled with written notes about his career. McLeod was undrafted, but has spent the past two seasons of his 13-year career with Cleveland.

  • Lamar Jackson hitting buckets in warmups

  • Ravens, Browns inactives

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