Things haven’t gone according to plan for Joe Burrow and the Bengals this season.
Entering Week 14, Cincinnati sits at just 4-8. Despite some strong offensive outputs, including a one of the best statistical seasons of Burrow’s career so far, the Bengals haven’t been able to string together wins, casting serious doubt onto their potential for a late-season playoff push.
However, that’s still possible, and it’s never wise to count a Burrow-led squad out. Head coach Zac Taylor’s group faces an uphill battle to make the final edition of the 2024 AFC playoff picture, but crazier things have happened in the NFL.
How could the Bengals still reach the postseason? As they enter a Week 14 matchup against the Cowboys, here’s a look at Cincinnati’s potential path to a playoff berth.
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Bengals playoff picture
After a 44-38 loss to Pittsburgh in Week 13, the Bengals’ playoff chances are certainly falling. They’ve lost three consecutive games, and things clearly just haven’t been clicking on a team level. If Cincinnati’s going to make a run, it absolutely needs to start with a win over the Cowboys in Week 14.
In the AFC playoff picture entering Week 14, the Bengals trailed the Colts (6-7) and Dolphins (5-7) among AFC squads currently on the outside of the playoffs looking in. The Chargers (8-4), Ravens (8-5), and Broncos (8-5) all held AFC wild-card spots.
Due to the four-win difference in record between Cincinnati and the AFC wild-card leaders, the Bengals’ chances are extremely slim. Not only would they likely have to win out, but they’d also still need help from other teams in that scenario.
With Pittsburgh leading the AFC North at 9-3, the Bengals’ chances at winning their division are all but gone. If they’re going to make a run to the playoffs, it will come from the Bengals doing a lot of winning down the stretch, plus at least one of the Chargers, Ravens, and Broncos doing a lot of losing.
Just five weeks remain in the NFL regular season. If there’s any team that could fall out of the AFC playoff picture, the Broncos appear to be the most vulnerable of the three wild-card teams, as both the Chargers (at New England, at Las Vegas) and Ravens (at Giants, vs. Cleveland) have two favorable matchups remaining to potentially reach 10 wins.
Denver has won its last three matchups, but has a more interesting stretch of opponents to end the season: the Colts, Chargers, Bengals, and Chiefs. Two of those squads are current playoff teams, while the two others remain hopeful in the race.
Hypothetically, if the Bengals can win their final five games and the Broncos falter down the stretch, Burrow could have a chance to lead his team to the playoffs.
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Bengals remaining schedule
Cincinnati does face three consecutive teams with losing records over its next three matchups. However, contests against Denver and Pittsburgh to end the regular season could be the most difficult challenges in a potential late-season playoff push.
Below is the Bengals’ final five-game stretch of the 2024 campaign:
| Week | Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
| 14 | Dec. 9 | at Cowboys | 8:15 p.m. |
| 15 | Dec. 15 | at Titans | 1 p.m. |
| 16 | Dec. 22 | vs. Browns | 1 p.m. |
| 17 | TBD | vs. Broncos | TBD |
| 18 | TBD | at Steelers | TBD |
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Bengals updated playoff chances
After Cincinnati’s loss in Week 13, Pro Football Focus’ Tomo Riske projected the team’s statistical playoff chances to fall below two percent:
NFL.com, meanwhile, gave the Bengals a two-percent chance in their updated playoff probabilities entering Week 14, saying Cincinnati is hanging on by the “thinnest of threads.”
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