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Why Bengals fans will be rooting for – gasp – the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas
Video: How can the Bengals still make the playoffs?
Enquirer beat reporter Kelsey Conway breaks down the potential path to a Bengals appearance in the post season.
Among the several things that need to happen for the Cincinnati Bengals to defy the odds and make the NFL playoffs: Cincinnati needs to beat Denver on Saturday in Week 17, and the Bengals also need the Broncos to lose their Week 18 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs haven’t clinched the top seed in the AFC, but they can do so with a win or a Buffalo loss. The Chiefs’ Week 17 game is against the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Christmas Day.
The Chiefs won’t have anything to play for in Week 18 if they win in Pittsburgh, and likely would be inclined to rest their starters. That would not be a favorable scenario for a Bengals’ team rooting against Denver.
The Chiefs won’t rest their starters if the top seed remains in play in Week 18.
NFL.com estimates the Bengals’ playoff probability at 8 percent.
The Bengals also need the Miami Dolphins to lose to the Browns in Cleveland or the Jets in New York. And Cincinnati needs the Indianapolis Colts to lose to the Giants in New York or at home against Jacksonville.