[-STAT-]

Not saying it's going to happen, but the Bengals still have a very slim, outside shot of making the playoffs. Here's the scenario that needs to happen.

1. They have to win out, plain & simple. They're sitting at 6-8 with 3 games remaining, and the schedule isn't easy. They host Cleveland this week, who are having just as bad of a season as the Bengals, but would more than love to play spoiler to what little hopes we have left. Next week home vs. Denver, who are also in the playoff mix for a wildcard spot. Sean Peyton has his team playing good at the right time, especially at the right time, they have an elite defense. Wrap up the regular season at Pittsburgh. If we can somehow get through the next 2 weeks, it all comes down to the Steelers, who at that point may be resting some key guys if they can keep a hold on the division, but like Denver, they have an elite defense (hell so does Cleveland) and a serviceable offense.

2. Broncos or Chargers have to lose out. Broncos schedule isn't a cakewalk either. At the Chargers this Thursday, then at Cincinnati next week, host KC week 18. So this TNF game will mark 1 loss for either team needing to lose out, then a hostile road game at Cincy next week, then hosting KC who will definitely be resting key guys, especially with the Mahomes injury now. Chargers schedule is much easier as they host Denver Thursday, then on the road at New England next week, and at Vegas to finish. So if the Chargers beat Denver, they've got a more manageable schedule than Denver who could easily lose out.

3. Dolphins lose at least 1 more game. Their remaining schedule at San Francisco this week, at Cleveland next week and they wrap up at the Jets week 18. Obviously winnable games, especially against the 49ers & Browns who are both not healthy at all, only hope would be the Jets hoping to play spoiler to a division rival.

4. Colts lose at least 1 more game. Their remaining schedule, host Tennessee this week, at the Giants next week, and host the Jaguars week 18. So the Colts & Dolphins are in the same boat, cannot afford to lose 1 game out of the next 3, but you have 2 division rivals looming who will want to send them home for the off season.

So ALOT of things need to happen in order for the Bengals to make the playoffs, but if they lose this coming week, then it's all for not.


Sure everyone has seen the video of Burrow getting into a pretty heated exchange w/ Taylor, even after a win. Not the best lip reader but looked like he said it was "fu***** embarassing", which it was. You play against a bottom of the barrel team in the Titans, force 6(SIX) turnovers, but still commit 4 of your own. Best defensive game this team has played all season, and even tho we put up 37, one of the worst offensive with the turnovers, and gave up some late points to the Titans for some window dressing. 

Not that every game already wasn't important, but now these last 3 are more important than ever now, just keep winning and hopefully all the other scenarios will fall in place!

[Van Hagar]

Best chance is Denver losing out, need them to lose to Chargers Thursday, then pressure shifts to them for game at Cincy. You’re right, KC will probably be resting players UNLESS they need to win for the overall one seed, we need that to come into play. If the Bengals could somehow sneak in, wouldn’t you hate to see them as your opening round opponent? Just because they are so productive on offense. Now, if it was Buffalo (which is the most likely scenario if we do squeeze in) we’d probably lose 49-42 or something crazy like that, but it would sure be entertaining.

[-STAT-]

Just reported that Sam Hubbard will miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury, think he suffered it on the TD catch he had. Of course this defense has been brutal to watch at times this season, but Hubbard has been one of the mainstays on that D-line alongside Hendrickson. Tough blow going down the stretch.

[plantmanky]

Do we really want to see this team in the playoffs?

[Old School Hound]

Do we really want to see this team in the playoffs?

Do YOU want to see them make the playoffs?

[Van Hagar]

Of course I’d like to see this team in the playoffs. Even with the mess the defense is, they can beat anyone because they can just outscore them. Any extra chances to see that Burrow led offense play is just fine with me.

[-STAT-]

Do we really want to see this team in the playoffs?

Well yeah? I'd love to see them make the tournament. 

With how this season has went, it would be a divine miracle for them to make it, they have to win out + have so much else happen, there's always that chance albeit slim. 

If they do somehow make it, then anything can happen, they could go on another improbable run or completely shit the bed. 

YOU probably don't want to see them make it and that's fine, but I do and that's fine also.

[Bluecat]

Until that little e is by their name we have hope, lol! A play or two away from easily being in but at least we aren't fully out right now. Need a lot to go our way though.

[TheTruth!]

How many more games do we gotta win to get in?

[-STAT-]

How many more games do we gotta win to get in?

All of them, have to win out and hope for chaos to happen as well.

[Bluecat]

How many more games do we gotta win to get in?

All of them, have to win out and hope for chaos to happen as well.

Yep, can't lose again and hope faith is on our side with others having to lose.

[Bluecat]

Broncos lose last night so that is one domino down, so many more to go.

[-STAT-]

Broncos lose last night so that is one domino down, so many more to go.

Just need the Broncos to lose their next 2, Dolphins/Colts to lose at least 1 of their next 3, and Cincinnati to win out. 

Not too much to ask for, am I right? 

[Van Hagar]

I think we are least still going to have life heading into the final week. I see us for sure beating Cleveland this week, then topping Denver at home next Sunday. And Miami and Indy aren’t winning out. So if all that happens we can go into the final weekend just needing to win at a Pittsburgh team that might need that win to claim the AFC North title, while Denver loses a home game to a Chiefs team that might be resting most starters because they probably will have the overall one seed already locked up. Piece of cake, right?

---

And I should have added, if all that does happen, we would go in as the seven seed, which right now would send us to Buffalo first round, then to Kansas City if we won, and then to whoever was left, most likely Pittsburgh or Baltimore. But I’d still love to see the Bengals get in no matter what the path is.

[Old School Hound]

Joe Burrow and J Chase gives you a chance at a run, even with a liability like this atrocious defense. Get in the playoffs and hope for a repeat of '21 magic.

[-STAT-]

Well Cincinnati took care of business yesterday against a hapless Cleveland team. But hey, a win is a win and that's what we have to do is win the rest of them.

So here's the updated scenarios as of 12/23.

1. Cincinnati has to win out: Remaining schedule as follows,
Host Denver week 17
at Pittsburgh week 18

With Denver losing to the Chargers this past week, the Broncos now have to lose their remaining games, with the next one at Cincinnati. Doesn't get any easier for the Bengals as they end the regular season at Pittsburgh, which I'm sure they will rest some key players as they've already clinched a playoff spot, but maybe they do play some of their key guys as they may want to win the division, or even try and do everything they can to keep the Bengals out of the playoffs, if everything else falls into place.

2. Denver has to lose out:
They travel to Cincinnati this weekend, and wrap up week 18 as they host Kansas City, who I would assume won't be playing any starters as they've wrapped up the division, playoff spot and more than likely the #1 seed, so that one may tough to happen.

3. Colts & Dolphins lose at least 1 game:
Which didn't happen yesterday as the Colts defeated the Titans, and Dolphins defeated the 49ers.
Miami will finish their season on the road, at Cleveland week 17, and at the Jets week 18.
Indianapolis will be on the road at the Giants for week 17, and host the Jaguars week 18.

So, still a lot more to happen, Bengals currently set at a 10% chance of making the playoffs, ohh man what could've been if we could've won some of the close games we've been in, especially in the division and conference.

[Old School Hound]

HC and coaching staff should be fired for not having the team ready to play week 1(AGAIN!!!), losing to a terrible Patriot team at home.

[Bluecat]

Lord the Bengals did everything they could to lose this one against the Broncos but they clawed it out and got the win. Still life, maybe on life support but still got a pulse.

[Old School Hound]

Lord the Bengals did everything they could to lose this one against the Broncos but they clawed it out and got the win. Still life, maybe on life support but still got a pulse.

Looked like they were gonna blow it in the most Bengals kinda way.  About a 11-12% chance of playoffs according to ESPN.

[Bluecat]

Lord the Bengals did everything they could to lose this one against the Broncos but they clawed it out and got the win. Still life, maybe on life support but still got a pulse.

Looked like they were gonna blow it in the most Bengals kinda way.  About a 11-12% chance of playoffs according to ESPN.

So many blunders. Very lucky to come out with the win. Of course luck is what we need to make it to the playoffs, but I would have never thought we would be going into the last week of the season with a shot. I can't help but to argue that Burrow deserves the MVP. I know they keep saying all depends on the playoffs and all of that but it shouldn't be a team award. Imagine how bad this team would be without him at QB right now.

[Van Hagar]

I swear I told my wife right before the short field goal in overtime that would have won the game, “he’s gonna doink this off the goalpost.” And son of a gun, that’s exactly what he did. I assumed then that the Broncos would run out the clock and let the game end in a tie, which would have been the most Bengals thing ever, being eliminated in a game you didn’t lose. But the defense stepped up for once, and Joe and his amazing receiving crew did the rest. I know we have to pay Ja’Marr, can’t lose him, but I’d give anything if they could work something out to keep Tee also. Match those two with Joe and we will be in the conversation for the next five years at least.

[Cactus Jack]

And the Colts lose today. Down to the Broncos, Bengals, or Dolphins for the final playoff spot.

[TheTruth!]

And the Colts lose today. Down to the Broncos, Bengals, or Dolphins for the final playoff spot.

I think we might have a shot

[Old School Hound]

And the Colts lose today. Down to the Broncos, Bengals, or Dolphins for the final playoff spot.

I think we might have a shot

We need the hapless Jets to beat the Dolphins.
We need the Chiefs second and third string to beat the Broncos in Denver.
We need to beat the playoff bound Steelers in Pittsburgh.


I doubt even one of those things will happen.

[Bluecat]

I have less faith in the Jets beating the Dolphins than the other 2. Of course the Chiefs not playing anyone against the Broncos hurt as well but I could see the Chiefs JV winning before the Jets varsity team winning.

[Old School Hound]

I have less faith in the Jets beating the Dolphins than the other 2. Of course the Chiefs not playing anyone against the Broncos hurt as well but I could see the Chiefs JV winning before the Jets varsity team winning.

If we had beaten the awful Patriots at home in Week 1, we would control our own destiny. Inexcusable loss!

[Bluecat]

I have less faith in the Jets beating the Dolphins than the other 2. Of course the Chiefs not playing anyone against the Broncos hurt as well but I could see the Chiefs JV winning before the Jets varsity team winning.

If we had beaten the awful Patriots at home in Week 1, we would control our own destiny. Inexcusable loss!

We had multiple of those unfortunately. I know it isn't always coaching but every season this team is not ready for the start of the season and we fall behind only playing catch up from that moment on. This year it was even worse. On top of that and some bad game decisions have put us in this position.

[Old School Hound]

I have less faith in the Jets beating the Dolphins than the other 2. Of course the Chiefs not playing anyone against the Broncos hurt as well but I could see the Chiefs JV winning before the Jets varsity team winning.

If we had beaten the awful Patriots at home in Week 1, we would control our own destiny. Inexcusable loss!

We had multiple of those unfortunately. I know it isn't always coaching but every season this team is not ready for the start of the season and we fall behind only playing catch up from that moment on. This year it was even worse. On top of that and some bad game decisions have put us in this position.

I think these 0-2 and 0-3 starts are getting to be fireable offenses.

[Van Hagar]

I have less faith in the Jets beating the Dolphins than the other 2. Of course the Chiefs not playing anyone against the Broncos hurt as well but I could see the Chiefs JV winning before the Jets varsity team winning.

I totally agree with this. Aaron Rodgers has seemingly aged out right before our eyes this year. I’d be surprised if they even score a touchdown next week. KC’s backups over Denver wouldn’t surprise me, neither would the hot Bengals winning on the road against the sliding Steelers. But the Jets over Miami—-just don’t see it.

[-STAT-]

Just the fact that these scenarios are still possible going into the final week in unreal, I started this thread 2 weeks ago today with a whole lot of doubt in mind that it would end quickly. Obviously shouldn't even been in this situation, losing to the Patriots week 1 was as bad a loss that any team has had this season, losing to the Commanders to a rookie QB who at the time no one really knew how great he would be, then losing not 1 but 2(TWO) double digit leads to the Ravens. Defense has just put them in some terrible spots this season, Burrow has literally carried this team on his back, and we all know how frugal and cheap this organization is, but you HAVE TO re-sign Tee and Jamar! I mean you just have to, gotta spend money to make money.

Shouldn't have ever been in this position in the first place, but here's to rooting for a few teams one time only to see this happen.