[More Cowbell]

A 9-7 record is very likely, and a 10-6 record is also possible because, like BFC4L pointed out, the Steelers and Bengals have seemed to win in the other ones house.

I wouldn't go so far as to say a 9-7 record is likely, and there's no way they beat the Steelers to finish 10-6. It is certainly possible that they finish 9-7, but they will have to win a couple games in which they will be a home underdog to do so. Games at Cincy with Cleveland and Tennessee will be the biggest stumbling blocks among the potential wins.

Now, all you Bengal haters on here, saying the Bengals could finish 6-1 is not a product of being an overly optimistic fan, it's a reasonable statement when you look at the remaining schedule. For some reason, the schedule-makers front-loaded Cincy's games this year, and the last seven don't look too tough, other than a trip into Pittsburgh. Look at the other 6 games, along with team records:

Tennessee (6-3)
Cleveland (5-4)
Arizona (4-5)
at San Fran (2-7)
St. Louis (1-8)
at Miami (0-9)

I don't see a game on there the Bengals can't win, especially with the first two being at home. Not saying they will win all of them, because I'm sure they will be underdogs to Cleveland and Tennessee, but it's possible. I see anywhere from a 4-3 to a 6-1 finish.

However, the only mention of playoffs I will make is to say the Bengals won't be in them. Even if they do finish 9-7, there are too many good teams in the AFC for that record to cut it.