After yet another loss in which the offense put up points but the defense couldn’t hold, the Cincinnati Bengals fell to 4-8 after their 44-38 home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a loss that all but sealed their playoff fate.

The Bengals are now five games back with five to play in the AFC North and 3.5 games behind the Denver Broncos for the last AFC Wild Card spot. It may soon be officially draft season in Cincinnati.

After 13 weeks, the Bengals sit at No. 9 in the draft order, according to Tankathon. They have the easiest schedule among the three 4-8 teams, the others being the New Orleans Saints and the Chicago Bears. They are also just one game back of the No. 5 spot, currently held by the 3-9 Carolina Panthers, though Carolina does have an easier strength of schedule. Cincinnati does have an easier schedule strength than the other three 3-9 teams (New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns).

It also just so happens that two of Cincinnati’s next three games are against the Titans and Browns, so draft positioning will be in play in Weeks 15 and 16. The Bengals head to Dallas next week, who aren’t far behind the Bengals in the pecking order at 5-7. A lot of shuffling will happen in the next five weeks.

Current 2025 NFL Draft order

1. Jacksonville Jaguars 2-10
2. Las Vegas Raiders 2-10
3. New York Giants 2-10
4. New England Patriots 3-10
5. Carolina Panthers 3-9
6. New York Jets 3-9
7. Tennessee Titans 3-9
8. Cleveland Browns 3-9
9. Cincinnati Bengals 4-8
10. New Orleans Saints 4-8
11. Chicago Bears 4-8
12. Miami Dolphins 5-7
13. Dallas Cowboys 5-7
14. San Francisco 49ers 5-7
15. Indianapolis Colts 6-7
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-6
17. Los Angeles Rams 6-6
18. Arizona Cardinals 6-6