The Pittsburgh Steelers fell 19-17 to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18, suffering their fourth straight loss to end the regular season.
Following the back-and-forth battle between the Steelers and Bengals, star edge rushers T.J. Watt and Trey Hendrickson met at midfield.
The NFL’s official social media account posted a video of the postgame exchange, sharing high praise for both stars.
“Two of the best pass rushers in the game,” posted the NFL.
While the official stat sheet doesn’t show a single stat for Watt, Hendrickson had a monster performance for the Bengals.
Hendrickson finished the game with three tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and five tackles.
Hendrickson finished the 2024 season with six pass defections, 17.5 sacks and 46 tackles. He’s now posted 17.5 in back-to-back seasons for Cincinnati, seemingly placing him in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation in 2024.
Watt ended the regular season with four pass deflections, 11.5 sacks and 61 tackles.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90).
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Both the Steelers and Bengals still have to wait until the Sunday slate to determine their NFL playoff matchups.
The Bengals have yet to clinch a position in the postseason. They’re sitting at 9-8 on the year, having won five straight games.
Cincinnati needs the Miami Dolphins and the Denver Broncos to lose in Week 18 in order to clinch a spot in the postseason.
The Steelers will face either the Houston Texans or the Baltimore Ravens in the postseason, depending on a few Sunday scenarios.
