The Cincinnati Bengals did what they needed to do in order to keep their NFL Playoffs hopes alive by handing the Pittsburgh Steelers their fourth consecutive loss on Saturday night. Powered by the gritting play of quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati was able to hold off a late Steelers rally to win 19-17.
Now the Bengals need the Denver Broncos to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins to lose to the New York Jets. If both of those things happen, Cincinnati will sneak into the AFC Playoffs as the seventh seed following their dismal 0-3 start to the season.
At one point, the Bengals were 4-8. But they have won each of their last five games and have put themselves into position to do something historic. Indeed, Bengals fans are quite proud of their team. That is, except for one player.
Cincinnati Bengals Fans Are Upset Wide Receiver Tee Higgins Left the Game with an Injury
Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins had four receptions for 53 yards in the winning effort. Unfortunately, he was unable to finish the game due to sustaining an ankle injury.
A free agent after the season, many Bengals fans are split on whether or not they want Cincinnati to re-sign him. While he is certainly a gifted pass catcher and route runner, he does have a concerning injury history.
Missing the rest of the game on Saturday was a stark reminder of the risk the Bengals or whichever NFL teams sign Higgins will take by giving him the large contract that he will be seeking. If it were up to some fans, he would not get it:
Tee Higgins gets injured way too much for my liking. That’s something you need to consider this offseason
— the name is bond. michael bond (@michaelis4real) January 5, 2025
Tee Higgins is pretty selfish for not being out there right now. Team needs him in a must win game and he’s just on the sideline staying warm
— Jon Sumrall (@UKCoachSumrall) January 5, 2025
This is exactly why Tee Higgins is a bad signing for anyone and Cinncy won’t pay him.
Burrow just gets his head caved in two drives ago and comes right back. Did anyone even see Higgins hurt his ankle?
If Higgins finishes that drive the game is over.
— Jake Collins (@JakeCollinsM) January 5, 2025
This is why tee Higgins don’t deserve wr 1 pay playoffs on the line and is out for an ankle injury burrow getting smacked still comes out to play
— Tyler Hicks (@whodeyfather) January 5, 2025
It will certainly be interesting to see what happens with Higgins in the offseason. As good as he is, Cincinnati will prioritize Chase over him, and rightly so.
If he does leave, Cincinnati could look at adding another young wide receiver in the NFL Draft (though they should probably look into offensive linemen first).
More Cincinnati Bengals News from Gridiron Heroics
- “Letting Great Players Leave;” Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow Tears into Organization
- NFL Pundit Argues Tee Higgins Should Sit Out of Playoffs if Bengals Get Lucky
- 2 Key Bengals Starters Are Game-Time Decisions for Saturday Night
- Cincinnati Bengals Star Wins AFC Offensive Player of the Week
- Broncos-Bengals Game Rigged According to Fans After Seeing Leaked Video
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