Jake Browning has the Bengals on a three-game winning streak entering Week 16. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Despite the loss of Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals are still in the playoffs. Jake Browning has stepped in and performed admirably in four starts.
But Saturday will be a test for Browning. The Pittsburgh Steelers also play with a backup quarterback, but the team's defense remains as feisty as ever. Pittsburgh also finds itself in the thick of the AFC playoff race, and a win would keep them in the hunt as the regular season winds down.
Can Browning get past the Steelers' tough defense? Or will TJ Watt put an end to the Brownings' three-game winning streak?
Later today, the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers will go head-to-head. The Bills are playing their best ever, but the Chargers could be rejuvenated after the team fired Brandon Staley after Week 15. Buffalo can't afford to take their opponents lightly given the mixed playoff picture in the AFC.
Follow along as Yahoo Sports provides the latest news, scores and injuries during Saturday's Week 16 slate.
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The Steelers get another pick. Browning's pass to wide receiver Tyler Boyd was intercepted by Steelers safety Eric Rowe at Cincinnati's 39-yard line.
Steelers punt after five plays.
It was Watt's league-leading 17th sacking of the season.
TJ Watt just put in a clinic. He was caught but sacked Jake Browning on his third play and forced a fumble.
This touchdown was brought to you, in part, by a huge block from RB Jaylen Warren.
It just got uglier for the Bengals. The Steelers open the second quarter with a Calvin Austin touchdown.
Najee Harris goes up the middle for a 13-yard touchdown and the Steelers get a first down at the Cincinnati 19-yard line.
The Steelers offense is really impressive. It took six plays to get into the end zone.
The touchback put the Steelers on their own 20-yard line.
Browning was gaining ground with a series of short passes. He traveled 59 yards in nine plays, then attempted a touchdown pass that was intercepted in the end zone by Steelers CB Patrick Peterson.
The catch and run for Pickens was the Steelers' fourth touchdown of at least 71 yards this season.
What a start! On his second play, Rudolph passed to wideout George Pickens for an 86-yard touchdown. Boswell's extra point is good.
The Bengals punted six plays later for 22 yards.
Browning went to Joe Mixon on back-to-back plays for a total of nine yards. Two plays later, Steelers CB Levi Wallace nearly intercepted Browning's short right pass to tight end Tanner Hudson.
Pittsburgh won the toss and postponed.
Note: The Steelers haven't won a game with Rudolph as their starting quarterback since 2019.
Mason Rudolph will be the starting quarterback for the Steelers. Kenny Pickett is absent due to an ankle injury, while Mitchell Trubisky returns as a substitute. A young fan channeled Rudolph the legendary reindeer in an attempt to cheer up the Steelers' signal caller.
Browning led the Bengals quarterback pack out of the tunnel. He has a 4-1 record in his appearances this year, only falling to the Steelers in his first start.
The Steelers are playing Christmas tunes in light of the holiday season.
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