Two weeks ago, there were rumblings that the Cincinnati Bengals would bring back Joe Burrow from his injury. At the time, it seemed foolish. Regardless, Burrow proved that he’s the leader of the franchise, worked back from a Grade 3 Turf Toe injury that required surgery, and upset the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving. Before that game, tanking for a generational defender in next year’s draft looked like the plan. Now, despite being 4-8, there is a legitimate path to the playoffs.
Of course, the Bengals better win out and make the playoffs, or else they could risk falling to the middle of the round and miss out on the cream of the crop prospects. It has to be worth it.
Even then, there is a path to the playoffs for the Bengals. It’s a slim path, but there is a path nonetheless.
The Bengals’ Playoff Path is Clear Heading Into Week 14
Step 1: Win Out
There is a path to the playoffs if the Bengals drop one of the final five games (ideally, not a divisional matchup). However, it gets significantly more squirrelly. The easiest path requires the Bengals to win out.
The final five weeks for the Bengals are:
- at Buffalo Bills
- vs. Baltimore Ravens
- at Miami Dolphins
- vs. Arizona Cardinals
- vs. Cleveland Browns
Finishing 9-8 for the third consecutive season seemed far-fetched after the team lost to the Jets and Bears. The defense was historically awful and has been fairly decent of late. The offense, of course, was elite with Joe Flacco. Then, when Burrow stepped in, it didn’t miss a beat.
With two divisional matchups left on the schedule, the Bengals can, somehow, finish 5-1 in the AFC North. That will loom large if another team finishes 9-8.
Winning out is just the beginning. The Bengals need a little help.
Step 2: Ravens Lose Once More
All of these Bengals playoff scenarios focus on Cincinnati winning out. So, with one matchup left against the Ravens, Baltimore needs to drop at least one more.
Baltimore has an incredibly rough final five games. For a team that seems like it’s lost its spark of late with Lamar Jackson struggling/playing through injury, it’s going to be tough:
- vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
- at Cincinnati Bengals
- vs New England Patriots
- at Green Bay Packers
- at Pittsburgh Steelers
There are plenty of loseable games on the schedule for the Ravens. The most important are those matchups with the Steelers. If the Bengals win out and the Ravens split with Pittsburgh, it’s game on.
Step 3: Steelers Lose Twice
The most hectic part of the equation is requiring Pittsburgh to lose at least twice more. While the Steelers’ dark magic looks like its wearing off, The Standard is still The Standard. Mike Tomlin will inevitably have his team finish 9-8. The Steelers’ path forward is:
- at Baltimore Ravens
- vs. Miami Dolphins
- at Detroit Lions
- at Cleveland Browns
- vs Baltimore Ravens
The key for the Bengals, in addition to winning out and making sure the Ravens lose one more, is that the Steelers have to drop at least one more divisional game en route to two more losses. With three AFC North games left on the schedule, it’s certainly a possibility.
The best-case scenario would be to win out and let the AFC North cannibalise itself. The Ravens and Steelers splitting would be ideal. Then, find another matchup the Steelers can lose.
So, There’s a Shot?
Oh, there is more than just a shot. Right now, it looks insurmountable. However, if the Bengals can beat Buffalo in Buffalo, things get easier.
Of course, if the Bills win, things get more difficult. The Bengals would need a whole lot more to happen to make it as AFC North champions at 8-9.
With Burrow, all things are possible. Somehow, his return rejuvenated the defense. At the same time, can you really bank on five turnovers? While Josh Allen and the Bills turn it over a bit (they are just behind the Bengals with 12.8% of their drives ending in a turnover), that offense is third in total offense and sixth in scoring.
While Jackson and the Ravens are always a tough test, the biggest hurdle to clear is on Sunday in Buffalo.
Main Image: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
The post The Bengals Playoff Path is Clear Heading Into Week 14 appeared first on Last Word on NFL.