After win vs Steelers, here's what Bengals need to happen to make NFL playoffs

After win vs Steelers, here’s what Bengals need to happen to make NFL playoffs

Posted by author January 5, 2025 NFL

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The Cincinnati Bengals‘ NFL playoff chances improved with their 19-17 Week 18 win Saturday night against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

Entering Week 18, one of the three things the Bengals still needed to happen to earn the final AFC playoff spot was a win against their AFC North rival.

It was the Bengals’ fifth consecutive win, to end the regular season with a 9-8 record.

NFL.com estimates the Bengals’ playoff probability at 11 percent.

“We put ourselves in this position. Nobody to blame but ourselves,” Burrow told ESPN’s Lisa Salters on the field after the game. “We’ll enjoy this win, go back, watch some football tomorrow and hope for the best.”

The Steelers already had clinched a playoff berth. Pittsburgh will open the wild-card round at Houston if the Chargers lose Sunday. The Steelers’ first playoff game will come at Baltimore if the Chargers win Sunday.

Here’s what the Bengals still need to happen to make the playoffs

Cincinnati still needs a road loss by the Miami Dolphins to the New York Jets Sunday at 4:25 p.m. Eastern. The game is scheduled to be televised by Fox.

The Bengals also need the Broncos to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs in Denver on Sunday, also at 4:25 p.m. Eastern. The Chiefs are expected to start multiple backups. That game is scheduled to be televised by CBS.