How Bengals can clinch improbable playoff berth over final 2 weeks of season

Despite everything that has gone wrong for the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2024 season, head coach Zac Taylor's team still has a chance to make the playoffs, and the next step in punching their ticket is to beat the Denver Broncos in Week 17.

The fact that the Bengals still have a chance at this point is a borderline miracle. After all, Cincinnati started the campaign 1-4 and has suffered a pair of three-game losing streaks during the season, with their most recent one coming before their current three-game winning streak that has given them a chance.

Unfortunately for the Bengals, they do not control their own destiny for a playoff spot and will need some help from other teams in order to get there, along with winning their final two games.

Here's a look at the Bengals' only path to the postseason.

Bengals playoff clinching scenario

In order for the Bengals to make the playoffs, they must win their final two games, the Broncos must lose their final two games, and then the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts both must lose one of their last two contests.

After playing the Broncos in Week 17, the Bengals will draw a road matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18. AFC North battles are never easy, of course, but the Steelers are reeling badly after three straight losses.

Denver will return home after a contest against Cincinnati on Saturday and play the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18. The problem for the Bengals there is that Kansas City could rest its starters after clinching the No. 1 seed.

And there's more bad news for the Bengals when it comes to both the Colts and Dolphins.

Indianapolis has matchups against two of the worst teams in the NFL over the last two weeks in the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars, while the Dolphins also draw very winnable games versus the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets.

Bengals playoff chances

So, how likely are the Bengals to pull this off? Well, this is where Bengals fans might want to look away.

According to the New York Times playoff simulator, Cincinnati is being given just a 4% chance to make the postseason. That is down 7% from just five weeks ago, and its the lowest percentage of any team that hasn't been eliminated yet.

In the words of the great Lloyd Christmas: "So you're telling me there's a chance."

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