After starting the yr with three straight losses, it seemed as if the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2024 season would come to a fast finish.
However getting into Week 18, the Bengals sit at 8-8, with an opportunity to clinch the ultimate playoff spot within the AFC.
They are going to want a win and a few assist, however right here is how Cincinnati can get into the playoffs this weekend.
Cincinnati Bengals playoff berth clinching eventualities
So that you’re saying there’s an opportunity …
The Bengals stay alive within the AFC playoff chase, however they may want a win and a few assist from across the league to punch a postseason ticket.
First issues first, the Bengals have to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday evening. A loss or a tie in opposition to the Steelers eliminates Cincinnati. Complicating issues is the truth that the Steelers do have one thing to play for in Week 18. Pittsburgh can nonetheless win the AFC North, however they would want the Baltimore Ravens — overwhelming favorites in opposition to the Cleveland Browns within the early recreation on Saturday — to lose.
However even when the Steelers are eradicated from profitable the division, head coach Mike Tomlin has nonetheless indicated that he is not going to relaxation his starters in opposition to the Bengals. Why? As a result of the Steelers might fall to the No. 6 seed with a lack of their very own, which might imply a visit to Baltimore on Wild Card Weekend. The Steelers can clinch the No. 5 seed, and a recreation in opposition to the No. 4 Houston Texans, with a win over Cincinnati.
Now, assuming Cincinnati wins Saturday evening, the job shouldn’t be executed. As a result of the Bengals want the Denver Broncos to lose to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (who’re resting their starters) on Sunday, in addition to the Miami Dolphins to lose or tie in opposition to the New York Jets.
Cincinnati Bengals seeding eventualities
The most effective the Bengals can do is the No. 7 seed. If Cincinnati will get into the playoffs they’re locked into that spot, and face a visit to Buffalo to tackle the Payments and Josh Allen.
Cincinnati Bengals elimination eventualities
As you may count on, the Bengals face just a few totally different elimination eventualities this weekend.
A loss or tie in opposition to Pittsburgh on Saturday evening means the Bengals are eradicated.
As well as, a Broncos win or tie in opposition to the Chiefs, or a Dolphins win in opposition to the Jets, eliminates the Bengals. Each of these video games are within the late-afternoon window on Sunday.
AFC standings getting into Week 18
1. z-Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (15-1)
2. y-Buffalo Payments (13-3)
3. x-Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
4. y-Houston Texans (9-7)
5. x-Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, win over LAC)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6, loss to PIT)*
7. Denver Broncos (9-7)*
8. Miami Dolphins (8-8, 6-5 AFC)*
9. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8, 5-6 AFC)*
10. Indianapolis Colts (7-9) — eradicated
11. New York Jets (4-12, 4-7 AFC, win over JAX) — eradicated
12. Las Vegas Raiders (4-12, 3-8 AFC, win over JAX) — eradicated
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12, 4-7 AFC, loss to NYJ & LV) — eradicated
14. Cleveland Browns (3-13) — eradicated
15. Tennessee Titans (3-13, win over NE) — eradicated
16. New England Patriots (3-13, loss to TEN) — eradicated