Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals keep their playoff hopes alive by edging the Steelers 19-17

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Joe Burrow will head to Cincinnati's training facility on Sunday. He'll lift weights. He might watch some video. And then he'll join the rest of his teammates and hope.

It's not much. But it's the only thing left for Burrow and a Bengals team that certainly looks playoff-worthy everywhere but the standings after a 19-17 victory at Pittsburgh late Saturday night kept Cincinnati's slim postseason hopes flickering into the season's final day.

“It's not ideal,” Burrow said after throwing for 277 yards and a touchdown. “But we put ourselves in this position.”

In multiple ways. The Bengals were floundering at 4-8 a month ago, with seven of the losses coming by eight points or less. They responded by ripping off five straight to wrap up the regular season, including a win over the reeling Steelers.

For the Bengals to grab the final playoff spot in the AFC, they need Patrick Mahomes-less Kansas City to beat Denver and the New York Jets to summon the energy at the end of a chaotic season to topple Miami.

Yeah, it'll be weird rooting for the Chiefs. It beats having nothing to root for at all, which is certainly where Cincinnati seemed headed a month ago.

“I don't know how many guys will be playing for (Kansas City)," Burrow said with a small laugh. “Hopefully some.”

While Burrow threw an interception and had his NFL-record streak of consecutive games with at least 250 yards passing and three touchdowns come to an end, he did enough to send the Steelers (10-7) reeling into the playoffs with a four-game losing streak.

Pittsburgh will be the fifth seed and travel to AFC South champion Houston if the Los Angeles Chargers lose at Las Vegas. If the Chargers win, the Steelers will be the sixth seed and visit AFC North rival Baltimore next weekend.

“We’re in a single-elimination tournament now, so we better turn our attention toward playing good football and better than we have particularly in recent weeks,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said.

If Tomlin wants a lesson on how to get it together under challenging circumstances, Cincinnati's play over the last month has provided it.

The Bengals’ late run began after a 44-38 loss to the Steelers on Dec. 1 dropped them to 4-8. They haven’t lost since, with Burrow playing at an MVP level and their once porous defense playing its best football of the season.

Burrow completed 37 of 46 passes, including a 12-yard touchdown to Ja'Marr Chase on Cincinnati's first possession that gave the Bengals a lead they never gave up. Chase finished with 10 receptions for 96 yards to put the NFL's “Triple Crown” for receivers (catches, yards and touchdowns) within reach.

Cincinnati held reeling Pittsburgh (10-7) to 193 yards — more than 300 less than the 520 the Steelers rolled up in the first meeting — and turned aside a late rally. Trey Hendrickson sacked Russell Wilson 3 1/2 times to boost his season total to an NFL-leading 17 1/2 on a night the Bengals never let the playoff-bound Steelers get on track.

“Obviously, our season hasn't gone the way we wanted, but we like how we closed out to get over .500 and give ourselves a chance,” Cincinnati cornerback Mike Hilton said.

Wilson passed for 148 yards and a touchdown, both the score and the vast majority of the yards coming during the fourth quarter when the Steelers were desperately playing catchup. Wilson hit Pat Freiermuth for a 19-yard touchdown pass and Chris Boswell hit a 54-yard field goal to get Pittsburgh within two.

The Steelers got the ball back just after the 2-minute warning but never made it to Cincinnati territory. Wilson threw incomplete to Freiermuth on fourth down and Burrow came out for a kneeldown that extended the Bengals' season to the final day.

Whether Burrow and his teammates head to work on Monday to prepare for a trip to Buffalo or to clean out their lockers and turn their attention to what could be an eventful offseason is uncertain. Considering where his team was a month ago, Burrow will take it.

“I know that if we get in, we can make some noise with the players and coaches that we have in this building,” he said. “We've just got to hope for some help tomorrow and sit back and watch it.”

Bengals: Burrow was tended to by trainers on the field after taking a sack in the third quarter. He was evaluated in the medical tent for a concussion but did not miss an offense snap. ... WR Tee Higgins exited with a left ankle injury in the second half and did not return to what could be his final game with Cincinnati. ... Guard Cody Ford sustained a chest injury in the third quarter but stayed in the game.

Steelers: Running back Najee Harris exited in the fourth quarter with a head injury following a 12-yard reception but was on the field for Pittsburgh's final drive.

Bengals: Hope for some help on Sunday.

Steelers: At either Houston or Baltimore next week.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) catches a pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson runs onto the field as he is introduced before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) picks up a first down defended by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrates scoring a touchdown with center Ted Karras (64) and running back Khalil Herbert (34) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr., left, intercepts a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, center, that was broken up by Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen, right, during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) catches a pass in front of Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Cincinnati Bengals running back Khalil Herbert (34) runs with the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) defends during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow pauses as he speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. The Bengals won 19-17. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22), right, celebrates scoring a touchdown with offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65), guard Spencer Anderson (74), tight end Connor Heyward (83), and tight end MyCole Pruitt (81), during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws a pass as Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) moves in during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) celebrates an interception with safety Damontae Kazee (23) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Cincinnati Bengals kicker Cade York (3) kicks a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) avoids Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) with Cincinnati Bengals guard Cordell Volson (67) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

TURLOCK, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed a $322 billion budget without a deficit, a welcome change after two years of significant budget shortfalls in the nation's most populous state.

But the budget Newsom announced Monday is mostly a placeholder as California waits to see if incoming President Donald Trump will follow through on threats to revoke billions in federal dollars, which could force lawmakers to make painful cuts to essential programs. About a third of California’s budget relies on funding from the federal government, including tens of billions of dollars to provide health care services. Trump takes office on Jan. 20, and Newsom must sign the final budget by the end of June.

California lawmakers already opened a special session to consider giving a fresh $25 million to Attorney General Rob Bonta's office to defend against or take on potential legal challenges from the Trump administration. Fights are likely between California and Washington, D.C., over climate policy and immigrant rights. State senators have also proposed additional funding to provide free legal services to immigrant communities.

Finding a way to balance the budget in the face of potential federal funding losses will be a major test for Newsom, who is entering the last two years of his last term and continues to be seen as a future presidential contender.

One project that could be at risk is the state's high-speed rail project, which would eventually carry passengers between Los Angeles and San Francisco but is woefully underfunded and behind schedule. Trump cancelled nearly $1 billion in federal funding during his first term in 2019, and several Republican Congress members are already taking aims at the project over its costs. President Joe Biden later restored the federal dollars allotted to it.

Perhaps anticipating a challenge, Newsom also traveled Monday to a construction site for the project to highlight progress including obtaining all environmental permits needed for building.

“This is not just a transportation project. This is a transformation project,” Newsom said. “To the cynics that are filled with cynicism, that stand on the sidelines and don’t engage, we’re here making this work.”

On the budget, Newsom gave few details about the proposed spending but boasted of progress on issues where the state has faced criticism, including investment on education and infrastructure and efforts to solve the homelessness crisis. The Democratic governor said he's optimistic about the state's future despite the uncertainties ahead.

“We’re also walking into headwinds, a radically different moment in U.S. history,” he said. “We need to be prepared."

Newsom's administration plans to provide more details on the budget proposal before Friday's deadline to present it to lawmakers. Newsom announced the numbers early before heading out of state for former President Jimmy Carter's funeral services.

Newsom said he's proposing little new spending, but the budget does allow the state to fully implement the country’s first universal transitional kindergarten program, which would make such school free for some 400,000 4-year-olds throughout California. That's an effort Newsom has championed since 2021. His plan also includes increasing the state’s film and TV tax credit to $750 million annually to bring back Hollywood jobs that have gone to New York and Georgia.

He said good planning in the last budget allowed the state to avoid a major shortfall this year.

“Last year, we endeavored to make this year’s budget a nonevent,” he said.

The governor's office also estimates tax revenues for this year are $16.5 billion above projections, thanks to the booming stock market and rapid income growth for high-income Californians.

That has helped the state weather the sluggish economy with limited job growth and ongoing weak consumer spending.

California's economy is the fifth-largest in the world. Last year the state faced an estimated $46.8 billion budget deficit and in the year before, a $32 billion budget shortfall. The state also saved $1.2 billion over two years by eliminating roughly 6,500 vacant positions in state departments and another $3.5 billion from cutting travel budgets and modernizing IT systems, Newsom said.

Still, such deficits have forced the state to pare back or delay some of its progressive policies that were fueled by record-breaking surpluses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unlike most states, California taxes capital gains — mostly money made from investments and stocks — at the same rate as money made from wages and salaries. The result is nearly half of the state’s income tax collections comes from only 1% of the population. That has led to unpredictable, large swings in revenue in California’s budget.

Republican state Sen. Roger Niello, who sits on the budget committee, said the governor failed to provide a plan to help address future budget deficits. In November, the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office warned the state could face double-digit shortfalls in the next few years.

“We're looking at $20 to $30 billion deficits, and unless we start doing something to address that now, it's going to become very difficult,” Niello said in an interview.

Newsom said Monday that he supports efforts to grow the state's rainy day fund but acknowledged it would be a “herculean effort.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom delivers a briefing of his proposed 2025-26 state budget at California State University, Stanislaus, in Turlock, Calif., Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli).

California Gov. Gavin Newsom outlines his proposed 2025-2026 $322 billion state budget during a news conference at California State University, Stanislaus in Turlock, Calif., Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom outlines his proposed 2025-2026 $322 billion state budget during a news conference at California State University, Stanislaus in Turlock, Calif., Monday, Jan. 6,2025. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom listens to a reporter's question as he outlines his proposed 2025-2 $322 billion state budget during a news conference at California State University, Stanislaus in Turlock, Calif., Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom outlines his proposed 2025-2026 $322 billion state budget during a news conference at California State University, Stanislaus in Turlock, Calif., Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom outlines his proposed 2025-2026 state budget during a news conference at California State University, Stanislaus in Turlock, Calif., Monday, Jan. 6,2025. . (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom outlines his proposed 2025-2026 $322 billion state budget during a news conference at California State University, Stanislaus in Turlock, Calif., Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom outlines his proposed 2025-2026 $322 billion state budget during a news conference at California State University, Stanislaus in Turlock, Calif., Monday, Jan. 6,2025. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

FILE - California Gov. Gavin Newsom gives a "thumbs up" talks while attending the Assembly's Organizational Session in Sacramento, Calif., Dec. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, file)