NFL playoff scenario: Implications of Ravens-Bengals for AFC rankings

December 14, 2025

AFC North Showdown: Bengals vs. Ravens

On Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals will take on the Baltimore Ravens in a match that carries substantial playoff stakes for both teams.

The weather may be quite cold, adding another layer of tension to this must-win game. For one team, a loss could mean being out of playoff contention completely, while the other might maintain its competitive edge in the division.

So, let’s dive into what this pivotal game means for both the Ravens and the Bengals.

Ravens’ Playoff Hopes

The Ravens are in dire need of a victory this Sunday to stay alive in the race for the playoffs.

Currently, they sit one game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the division. If they fall to Cincinnati and the Steelers manage a win, things could get complicated for Baltimore. A loss would put them two games behind Pittsburgh, especially since they lost to the Steelers recently, giving Pittsburgh the tiebreaker if it comes to that.

That said, if the Ravens can secure a win and combine it with a Steelers loss to Miami, they could draw even. It’s all very close — with just three games left for both teams, they each have a record of 7-7. Sure, the Steelers are still ahead, but a Ravens win would definitely improve their outlook.

However, a glance at the remaining schedules shows that the Ravens’ next three opponents include the New England Patriots and the Steelers, making their path difficult. The Steelers, on the other hand, will face some challenging teams too, but it’s a bit less daunting.

Bengals’ Road Ahead

For the Bengals, the situation seems straightforward, but it’s intense.

A loss this weekend means they’re out of the playoffs. It’s as simple as that.

There’s another scenario as well. If they tie with the Ravens and the Steelers beat Miami, then the Bengals will also be eliminated.

You may wonder, how could things go south for the Bengals? Well, if they lose, they’ll stand at 4-10 with three games left, making it nearly impossible to catch any wild-card teams that require at least eight wins.

In terms of the AFC North, if the Bengals stumble on Sunday, the Ravens would then move to 7-7 and each team would have one win against the other. Even if Cincinnati ends with a record of 7-10 and the Ravens also drop their remaining games to finish at 7-10, the Bengals would still be out. The tiebreaker would then shift to division records, where Cincinnati would have the edge if it came to that.

Still, that would mean finishing second in the division behind Pittsburgh, which undoubtedly complicates things.

This whole situation can get tricky. I mean, even if the Bengals beat the Ravens and Baltimore loses their other games, the Ravens will still have an important game against the Steelers, who are tough opponents.

Imagine this: the Bengals lose on Sunday, but if the Ravens win and then lose their next games, both teams could end up tied at 7-10. This scenario heavily favors the Steelers, who currently hold the division lead.

The last meeting between these two teams occurred on Thanksgiving, with the Bengals securing victory upon Joe Burrow’s return.

If Cincinnati wins again, they’ll sweep the season series against Baltimore, an important factor if both teams end up tied later. Conversely, a Ravens win would seal the Bengals’ fate in terms of playoff hopes.

As things stand going into Week 15, here are the AFC standings: