Heading to Week 18 of the NFL season, the Cincinnati Bengals find themselves clinging to the hope of making the playoffs. With their postseason fate hanging by a thread, the Bengals' path is anything but straightforward. They must defeat division rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and rely on the outcomes of several key games to secure their playoff spot.
The road is clear but rife with obstacles. First and foremost, the Bengals need to beat the Steelers, which is no small feat. A win would bring their record to 9-8, keeping their playoff hopes alive, as they currently stand at 8-8. Losing to the Steelers, on the other hand, would eliminate them from playoff contention entirely, leaving them with no chance of postseason success.
According to reports from The Athletic, Cincinnati’s playoff scenarios are like a complex math problem. After enduring tough losses throughout the season, the Bengals have finally surged, winning four consecutive games. They now need the Kansas City Chiefs to beat the Denver Broncos and the Miami Dolphins to either tie or lose against the New York Jets.
But how realistic is this scenario? Currently, the Bengals just have a 7% chance of making the playoffs, as calculated by data from The Athletic. While this may seem disheartening at first glance, the possibility of clinching their postseason spot isn’t entirely out of reach. Cincinnati fans will be rooting for both the Jets and Chiefs this weekend.
What makes this scenario even trickier is the Broncos' current standing. The Broncos, who are fighting for the same playoff berth, are favorites against the Chiefs. Notably, the Chiefs plan to rest their key starters, including star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, which could work to the advantage of the Bengals if they manage to pull off the upset.
Adding to the excitement, the Dolphins are slight underdogs against the Jets, making their match another point of interest for Cincinnati supporters. According to The Oklahoman, for the Bengals' hopes to survive, they must not only concentrate on their game against the Steelers but also keep tabs on those other key matchups.
Despite their current position, the Bengals are not out of the playoff race. Entering the final week, their situation appears less dire than it did weeks ago, when they were buried at 4-8. Now, having turned their season around, they are back to contention.
But for the Bengals, the weight of these games is enormous, particularly against the Steelers. The Steelers will be motivated to win as they are still vying for the AFC North title, making them formidable opponents for Cincinnati.
Mike Hilton, cornerback for the Bengals, stated after their recent victory, “We have to go out there and win a tough game against a good opponent.” His sentiments echo the urgency felt within the Bengals camp as they face this must-win situation.
If the Bengals can secure victory over the Steelers, they’ll need to anxiously watch as the Broncos face the Chiefs and the Dolphins take on the Jets. Success for the Bengals hinges on having multiple results fall their way, which is undoubtedly nerve-wracking for their dedicated fanbase.
It's worth noting, per NFL.com, the Bengals need to push their odds to as high as 10% with the right outcomes. A win against the Steelers is imperative, but it won’t guarantee advancement without assistance from other teams.
If the Bengals' hopes come to fruition, they will clinch the seventh seed, setting them up for a round against high-profile competitors, likely the Buffalo Bills. The prospect of a Burrow vs. Allen face-off could be an exciting showdown.
Reflecting on their rocky season, the Bengals still possess the drive to make history as they fight against the odds. For Cincinnati's squad, led by quarterback Joe Burrow, this season has not only been about mechanics on the field but also about resilience and heart. “All we can do now is control what we can control,” Burrow said, highlighting their mindset as they prepare for their must-win game.
With less than 48 hours to go until the much-anticipated match against the Steelers, the Bengals know they need to secure a win and hope the football gods align for them across the AFC. It’s not just business—there's pride, hope, and the passionate wishes of the Bengals' supporters riding on this game.