Bengals’ Playoff Scenarios: Cincinnati Still Alive Entering Week 18

The Cincinnati Bengals were a preseason Super Bowl contender but have instead been one of the most disappointing teams of the season. Still, with one week left, the Bengals improbably have a shot to salvage a playoff berth despite their 4-8 start.

What does Cincinnati need to finish its playoff miracle?

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What Is the Cincinnati Bengals’ Current Playoff Picture?
The AFC North was decided earlier today when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Cleveland Browns to clinch the division. Now, the Steelers are going to be a Wild Card team, either the fifth or sixth seed.

The Bengals have had numerous heartbreaking losses this season, going just 3-7 in one-score games. All those tight losses have put them in their current unenviable position regarding tiebreakers.

Cincinnati won’t win a tie over the Miami Dolphins due to an inferior conference record. They’d win a tiebreaker over the Denver Broncos due to their Week 17 head-to-head win, but Denver sits a game ahead of them in the standings.

That means the Bengals only have one path to the postseason:

Win at PIT AND
MIA loss or tie at NYJ AND
DEN loss vs. KC

Both the Dolphins and Broncos are significant favorites. Denver is playing at home against a Kansas City team that will be resting nearly all of its best players. Notable Chiefs listed as out or doubtful on the final injury report included Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, Trent McDuffie, Jawaan Taylor, Isiah Pacheco, George Karlaftis, Justin Reid, and Nick Bolton.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins are playing a Jets team that has seemingly mailed in the end of their season. New York was down 40-0 prior to pulling Aaron Rodgers against the Buffalo Bills last week, and has lost six of its last seven games. Even with Tyler Huntley likely starting for Miami, a Jets win would be shocking.

Still, none of that matters if the Bengals can’t win on the road against a good team, which has been difficult for Cincinnati this year. The Bengals are 0-3 on the road against teams above .500 this season, losing to the Ravens, Chargers, and Chiefs. Turning that trend around is Cincinnati’s only path to the playoffs.