The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t done yet-not by a long shot.
Thanks to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to Buffalo on Sunday, the Bengals have crept a little closer in the AFC North race. With five games left on the regular season slate, they now sit just two games back in the division.
And while the odds are still long, they’re not impossible. According to ESPN’s playoff projections, Cincinnati’s postseason chances have climbed to 7%.
That may not sound like much, but it’s a noticeable jump from the 1% shot they had before their gritty Thursday night win in Baltimore.
That victory didn’t just keep their season alive-it cracked the door open.
Here’s where things get interesting. Per projections from The Athletic, if Cincinnati can run the table and finish 9-8, their playoff odds skyrocket to 90%. That’s a massive swing, and it puts the Bengals in the thick of the conversation-if they can string together wins down the stretch.
The path won’t be easy. They’re chasing both the Steelers and Ravens, who are currently deadlocked at 6-6. And fittingly, those two teams will clash this weekend in Baltimore-a game with major implications for the entire division.
At the same time, the Bengals will be in Buffalo, facing a Bills team that just handled Pittsburgh. It’s a tough matchup, no doubt, but one that could dramatically shift the playoff picture. A win on the road would not only keep Cincinnati’s momentum rolling-it would also send a message that they’re not just hanging around; they’re coming for the crown.
And let’s not forget: Joe Burrow is still in the mix. Five games left, and everything to play for. This is the kind of scenario where Burrow has historically thrived-backs against the wall, spotlight on, season hanging in the balance.
The schedule ahead is brutal but not impossible. The Bengals close out the season with games against the Bills, Ravens, Dolphins, Cardinals, and Browns.
That’s a mix of playoff contenders and teams playing spoiler. Every week will matter, and every win will count double.
Meanwhile, the Ravens have a tough road of their own: two games against the Steelers, plus matchups with the Bengals, Patriots, and Packers. The Steelers? They’ve got the Ravens twice, plus the Dolphins, Lions, and Browns.
In short: buckle up.
The AFC North is still wide open, and while the Bengals may be on the outside looking in, they’ve got a real shot to shake up the standings. If they catch fire, if Burrow finds his rhythm, and if they can survive one of the league’s toughest remaining schedules, this could turn into one of the most compelling playoff pushes of the season.
They’re not favorites. But they’re not finished either.