For the Cincinnati Bengals, it’s a classic case of too little, too late.
The Bengals kept their winning streak alive, stretching it to four games with a nail-biting 30-24 victory over the Denver Broncos on Saturday night. Wideout Tee Higgins stole the show with three touchdown receptions, including a pivotal 3-yarder with just over a minute left in overtime. This display of offensive prowess was as thrilling as it was strategically baffling at times. Quarterback Joe Burrow, with his flair and camaraderie with Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, sent a clear message: Cincinnati’s quest for their third playoff appearance in four seasons isn’t just hype—it’s highly anticipated by fans.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor didn’t hold back in praising his star quarterback, stating, “I don’t think anyone can watch Joe Burrow play and not see he’s the best out there.” With Burrow throwing for 412 yards and three touchdowns, Taylor’s belief in his quarterback’s supremacy over the universe is evident.
It’s no wonder other teams might have second thoughts about facing Burrow and the Bengals as playoff contenders. Although Saturday’s thrilling bout barely kept Cincinnati’s playoff dreams afloat, it was enough to ward off an early postseason end to their campaign—an outcome no team wants to face prematurely.
According to NFL’s Next Gen Stats, Cincy has a modest 17% probability of snagging the AFC’s last wild-card spot. Yet, here are four hurdles that could make that figure seem overly rosy and hint at a dream that might fizzle out this December:
1. A Must-Win Against the Steelers in Pittsburgh
The Bengals’ immediate future is in their hands – they must defeat the Steelers in their own backyard come Week 18. Recent history doesn’t favor Cincinnati, with Pittsburgh claiming victory in six of the last eight matchups at their home field. Quarterback Russell Wilson, who seemed to channel his prime years, threw for a staggering 414 yards against them just weeks ago.
And don’t count on an easy ride against the Steelers, who are already playoff-bound but still in pursuit of the AFC North title which guarantees a home playoff game. The Steelers were last seen smarting from a 29-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day, so they’ll be motivated to turn things around under Coach Mike Tomlin’s watchful eye.
Joe Burrow remains optimistic, saying, “We’ve demonstrated we can keep up with anyone this year. It’s about closing games with the right plays. We’ve done that lately and need to keep it up.”
2. The Dolphins Need to Stumble Against the Jets
Cincinnati got a welcome hand from the Giants, eliminating the Colts from playoff contention. Now their hope lies with the Jets to take down the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins managed to best the Browns without their main man, Tua Tagovailoa, making them a formidable challenge in Week 18. A Dolphins victory slams the playoff door shut on Cincinnati.
3. Bengals’ Own Issues Gnaw Away
While Coach Taylor applauded his defense’s timely plays to stifle the Broncos, the Bengals’ defense has not been the most robust, allowing the opposition to rack up points and yards. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix exposed this during the Broncos’ run, and it’s a recurring theme undermining Cincinnati’s offensive firepower.
On the offensive front, Burrow was sacked seven times in this clash, and the team’s feature back, Chase Brown, left with an ankle injury. Add in some questionable clock management, and the Bengals are grappling with self-inflicted wounds that have plagued their 56-year chase of a championship.
4. Relying on a Denver Defeat by Kansas City
Perhaps the biggest twist is that Denver stands as an obstacle too—needing to drop their game against the Chiefs. Kansas City has little reason to play hard, having locked up the top seed and looking to rest key players. Despite that, their history of overcoming challenges, particularly against the Bengals, could favor Cincinnati’s hopes if they manage to enter postseason play.
Reflecting on the journey, Zac Taylor said, “We’ve always known our potential. Those early setbacks didn’t shake our faith.” Yet, for all the talent and guts this Bengals team has shown, it might not be quite enough to change their narrative this time around, ending in another season that sees the promise fall just short.
