It’s been a disappointing year for the Cincinnati Bengals. At 7-8, it kind of feels like their season is over, but it’s NOT, and that’s because they could still make the playoffs.
Thanks to their 24-6 win over the Browns in Week 16, the Bengals are still alive for a playoff spot. As Lloyd Christmas would say, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance!”
Sure, the Bengals need a Christmas miracle to make the postseason, but it can happen if a few things go their way over the final three weeks of the season.
With that in mind, let’s check out what has to happen for Cincinnati to make the playoffs.
1. Bengals have to win out
The Bengals have no margin for error, which means they have to go 2-0 over the final two weeks of the season, and here’s who they’ll be playing:
Week 17: vs. Broncos
Week 18: at Steelers
The win over the Browns has now set up a showdown with the Broncos in Week 17. The advantage for the Bengals in that game is that it’s at home. As for Week 18, the Bengals will have to beat the Steelers on the road if they want to have any chance of making the playoffs.
2. Broncos have to lose out
If Denver gets to 10 wins, the Bengals won’t be able to make the playoffs, so Cincinnati will need the Broncos to lose their final two games. The Bengals did get some help from the Chargers, who beat the Broncos 34-27 on Thursday night.
Let’s take a look at Denver’s schedule:
Week 17: at Bengals
Week 18: vs. Chiefs
If the Broncos lose to the Bengals in Week 17, that will make things incredibly interesting. That being said, if the Chiefs clinch the top seed in the AFC before Week 18, then they’ll almost certainly be benching their starters for their finale against Denver. However, with Patrick Mahomes banged up, it’s certainly possible that Kansas City could lose on Christmas to the Steelers, and if that happens, the Chiefs would probably have to play their starters in Week…
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