Can Joe Burrow’s Bengals still make it to the playoffs with just 2 games in hand?
Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals still have a mathematical chance of clinching the final AFC playoff berth.
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Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals could still clinch an AFC playoff berth (Image via Imago)
Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals have come back from losing their first three games to stand at 7-8. It is definitely not the ideal record when battling for a playoff berth in the hotly contested AFC. With just two games left though, they still have an outside chance of making it to the postseason.
The chance came about after the Denver Broncos lost to the Los Angeles Chargers in this week’s Thursday Night Football. That opened the possibility for the Bengals to win their remaining games and stay in the hunt. It was also the easiest path available for the Burrow led franchise.
However, Week 16 saw developments on other fronts as the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts won their respective games. That meant, the final AFC playoff positions will not be determined at least for another week. However, the Chargers, Broncos, Colts and the Dolphins have a better chance at making the playoffs mathematically.
Having the second toughest schedule out of all contenders does not make it easier. Even then, if certain conditions were to be met, Joe Burrow and his teammates could prepare for the Wild Card round after the end of the regular season.
Joe Burrow and his Bengals need to win both remaining games
This goes without saying as the only way they can do their part is to win both their remaining games. Crucially though, their next game is against the Broncos at home. Being a conference rival, it will help them greatly by getting that W.
If they can inflict enough disappointment into their opponents, it could play out in the Denver Broncos final game of the season against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, the Chiefs might not play their starters, giving the Broncos every chance to cement their playoff hopes. The last game against the Pittsburgh Steelers might also be tricky considering they already lost to them once.
The only positive could be if this edition of the Steel curtain rests their starters with their postseason berth already confirmed. Both these wins against AFC opponents will help them improve their conference win percentage, which could have an impact on the final standings.
Conference opponent schedules
All five teams in the playoff race have easy schedules where they can win both their remaining games. If that were to happen, their position in the standings stay as it is, and the Cincinnati Bengals can shift their focus onto next season.
It should be noted that among all five of them, the Denver Broncos and the Bengals have the tougher games. However, one situation could help the Bengals gain momentum wherein they beat two teams to clinch that Wild Card berth.
Along with the Broncos losing to them, one possibility is if either of the Miami Dolphins or the Indianapolis Colts lose their Week 17 games. If both lose, the Bengals will leapfrog them to stand 8th in the AFC. If the Dolphins lose, it will be the best step forward for the Ohio based franchise.
The Colts benefit from the tie with the Bengals and the Dolphins. If they lose and the Dolphins win, it won’t matter to the Bengals as they will still stand pat in their place. But praying that the Cleveland Browns would defeat the Dolphins with a third string quarterback is asking for too much.
The Cincinnati Bengals might be done for the season
It all narrows down to a bizarre possibility where the Cincinnati Bengals have just one path to reach the playoffs. However, that path needs two teams with favorable schedules or head-to-head records to falter. With their own seasons on the line, it is unlikely that could happen.
Essentially, unless a miracle was to take place, there is no way the Bengals can make the playoffs. They might have hope mathematically, however, none of the variables are in their control. Had they not lost those three-game stretches at the start of the season and from week 10 to week 13, they could have had a chance.
One cannot deny the fact that the Bengals have been lackluster at best. Joe Burrow and his offense were spectacular at times. But without a half-decent defense, they could not stop opponents from outscoring them.
That defense could be their focus once off-season activities start. The AFC is getting tougher by the day and to survive, they need a complete team. Else, others are there to take away the mantle leaving the Bengals struggling to keep pace.
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Joseph Varghese
(2167 Articles Published)