In a thrilling Week 12 matchup, the Cincinnati Bengals narrowly defeated the New Orleans Saints 24-21, solidifying their position in the playoff race. With both teams vying for crucial positioning, this game was a must-win for the Bengals, who managed to hold off a late surge from New Orleans. Cincinnati's offense was led by quarterback Joe Burrow, who threw for 2 touchdowns and consistently found ways to move the ball downfield. Chase Brown was a key factor on the ground, racking up 105 rushing yards and keeping the Saints’ defense on its heels. Meanwhile, Tyler Shough of the Saints showcased his arm talent with 239 passing yards and connected with Jordyn Tyson for 94 receiving yards, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Bengals’ offensive firepower. Defensively, the Bengals stepped up at crucial moments, with Kyle Dugger recording 8 total tackles to anchor the unit. Myles Murphy’s sack added pressure on Shough, disrupting the Saints' rhythm and forcing critical mistakes. The turning point came late in the fourth quarter when Cincinnati's defense held strong, allowing just a field goal and sealing the victory.