After starting the year with three straight losses, the Cincinnati Bengals' 2024 season seemed to be over quickly.
But entering Week 18, the Bengals sit at 8-8, with a chance to clinch the AFC's final playoff spot.
They need a win and some help, but here's how Cincinnati can make the playoffs this weekend.
Cincinnati Bengals playoff advance scenario
So I'm saying there's a chance…
The Bengals remain in AFC playoff contention, but will need wins and support from around the league to clinch a postseason ticket.
First of all, the Bengals need to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night. If they lose or tie with the Steelers, Cincinnati will be eliminated. Complicating matters is the fact that the Steelers need to play some games in Week 18. Pittsburgh can still win the AFC North, but it will require a loss to the overwhelming favorite, the Baltimore Ravens, who will face the Cleveland Browns in Saturday's opening game.
But even if the Steelers are eliminated from the division championship, head coach Mike Tomlin has indicated he won't rest his starting lineup against the Bengals. why? That's because if the Steelers lose, they could drop to the No. 6 seed, which would mean a trip to Baltimore for wild-card weekend. If the Steelers win against Cincinnati, they will earn a game against the No. 5 seed and No. 4 seed Houston Texans.
Now, assuming Cincinnati wins on Saturday night, the job is not done. That's because the Bengals need the Denver Broncos to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs (who are resting their starting pitchers) on Sunday, and the Miami Dolphins need to lose or tie with the New York Jets.
Cincinnati Bengals seeding scenario
The best the Bengals can do is a No. 7 seed. If Cincinnati makes the playoffs, that spot will be sealed and they will travel to Buffalo to face the Bills and Josh Allen.
Cincinnati Bengals elimination scenario
As you can imagine, the Bengals face a few different elimination scenarios this weekend.
If they lose or tie Saturday night against Pittsburgh, the Bengals will be eliminated.
Additionally, if the Broncos beat or tie the Chiefs, or the Dolphins beat the Jets, the Bengals would be eliminated. Both games will be played late Sunday afternoon.
AFC standings heading into week 18
1.z-kansas city chiefs (15-1)
2.y-buffalo bills (13-3)
3.×-baltimore ravens (11-5)
4.y-houston texans (9-7)
5.×-pittsburgh steelers (10-6, victory over LAC)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6, lost to PIT)*
7. denver broncos (9-7)*
8. miami dolphins (8-8, 6-5 AFC)*
9. cincinnati bengals (8-8, 5-6 AFC)*
10. indianapolis colts (7-9) — Eliminated
11. new york jets (4-12, 4-7 AFC, defeated JAX) — Eliminated
12. las vegas raiders (4-12, 3-8 AFC, defeated JAX) — Eliminated
13. jacksonville jaguars (4-12, 4-7 AFC, lost to NYJ & LV) — Lost
14. cleveland browns (3-13) — Eliminated
15. tennessee titans (3-13, win over NE) — Eliminated
16. New England Patriots (3-13, lost to TEN) — Eliminated
