Bengals can still make the NFL playoffs if this crazy scenario plays out over the final four weeks

It’s been a disappointing year for the Cincinnati Bengals. At 5-8, it kind of feels like their season is over, but it’s NOT, and that’s because they could still make the playoffs. 

As the NFL season heads into Week 15, the Bengals are the only team in the AFC that has less than six wins, but is still alive for a playoff spot. As Lloyd Christmas would say, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance!”

Sure, the Bengals need a Christmas miracle to make the postseason, but it can happen if a few things go their way over the final four weeks of the season. 

With that in mind, let’s check out what has to happen for Cincinnati to make the playoffs. 

1. Bengals have to win out

The Bengals have no margin for error, which means they have to go 4-0 over the final four weeks of the season and here’s who they’ll be playing: 

Week 15: at Titans
Week 16: vs. Browns
Week 17: vs. Broncos
Week 18: at Steelers

If the Bengals can avoid getting upset in their next two games, that will set up a showdown with the Broncos in Week 17. The advantage for the Bengals in that game is that it’s at home. As for Week 18, it’s possible the Steelers could be resting their starters that week. The Steelers have to face the Ravens in Week 16 and if they win that game to pull off a season sweep of Baltimore, it’s possible that Pittsburgh could have the division wrapped up by Week 18. 

2. Broncos have to go 1-3 over their final four games

If the Broncos get to 10 wins, then the Bengals can’t make the playoffs, so Cincinnati will need them to go 1-3 (or worse) over their final four games. Let’s take a look at Denver’s schedule: 

Week 15: vs. Colts
Week 16: at Chargers 
Week 17: at Bengals
Week 18: vs. Chiefs

That’s actually a pretty brutal slate to finish the season and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Broncos go 1-3. That being said, if the Chiefs clinch the top seed in the AFC before Week 18, then they’ll almost certainly be benching their starters in Week 18. 

3. Dolphins go 2-2 over the final four games

If the Bengals want to make the playoffs, the Dolphins can’t reach nine wins, which means Miami will have to go 2-2 or worse. Here’s a look at the Dolphins’ final four games: 

Week 15: at Texans
Week 16: vs. 49ers
Week 17: at Browns
Week 18: at Jets

The Dolphins going 2-2 here wouldn’t be surprising. Remember, the Dolphins have lost 12 straight games when the temperature is under 40 degrees and it’s almost certainly going to be under 40 degrees when they travel to Cleveland and New York to end the season. 

4. Colts go 2-2 over their final four games

If the Bengals want to make the playoffs, the Colts also can’t reach nine wins, which means they have to to 2-2 or worse. Here’s a look at their final four games: 

Week 15: at Broncos
Week 16: vs. Titans
Week 17: at Giants
Week 18: vs. Jaguars

This is probably the most unrealistic scenario when it comes to the Bengals’ playoff chances. The Colts will be favored in their final three games, so Cincinnati will need someone to pull off an upset. 

There are multiple other scenarios where the Bengals could get in, but this felt like the most realistic one and if all four of these things happen, then the Bengals will make the playoffs as the seventh seed.