The Cincinnati BengalsThe 44-38 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos' 41-32 victory in Monday night's primetime shootout over the Cleveland Browns have put the Bengals' playoff chances in dire straits.
Let's start with the AFC North, which we only need to devote a few moments to. The Bengals were eliminated from divisional competition with their loss on Sunday. Even if the Bengals tied the Steelers at 9-8, one of those Steelers losses would be to the Ravens, who the Bengals passed. With a three-way tie at 9-8, the Ravens would win head-to-head thanks to a 3-1 record (Steelers would be 2-2, Bengals 1-3).
So a division is officially out of the question. What about the wild card? Currently, all three wild cards in the AFC (Ravens, Chargers, Broncos) have eight wins. The Bengals were defeated by the Ravens and lost straight to the Chargers. The Bengals also have six conference losses (2-6). Only the Patriots (2-7) and Raiders (2-8) fare worse in this category.
The Bengals don't have an elimination scenario this week as they still have a head-to-head matchup with the Broncos, who are out this week. But a loss to the Cowboys on Monday would all but seal their fate.
Current AFC playoff standings
1. x-Kansas City Chiefs 11-1
2.y-Buffalo Bills 10-2
3. Pittsburgh Steelers 9-3
4. Houston Texans 8-5
5. Los Angeles Chargers 8-4
6. Baltimore Ravens 8-5
7. Denver Broncos 8-5
8. Indianapolis Colts 6-7
9. Miami Dolphins 5-7
10.Cincinnati Bengals 4-8
11. Cleveland Browns 3-9
12. New York Jets 3-9
13. Tennessee Titans 3-9
14.e-New England Patriots 3-10
15. e-Jacksonville Jaguars 2-10
16.e-Las Vegas Raiders 2-10
Legend: X playoff place, Y division, E elimination
