Bengals know exactly what needs to happen now in order to make the playoffs after Chargers' win over Broncos

The path for the Cincinnati Bengals to sneak into the playoffs just got a little more clear. Winning out and getting to 9-8 is still imperative, that's not going to change, but the help the Bengals will need to get in with that record is now definite. Thursday night's game between the Denver Broncos and Los […]

John Sheeran — Cincinnati Bengals News Writer
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Nov 17, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) gestures after a first down against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at SoFi Stadium.
Nov 17, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) gestures after a first down against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at SoFi Stadium. © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The path for the Cincinnati Bengals to sneak into the playoffs just got a little more clear. Winning out and getting to 9-8 is still imperative, that's not going to change, but the help the Bengals will need to get in with that record is now definite. 

Thursday night's game between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers played a pivotal role in that. The Chargers beat the Broncos 34-27 on "Thursday Night Football" and now have a 97% chance at making the postseason. 

A loss for Denver puts Cincinnati exactly where they wanted to be this week.

Chargers' TNF win makes the Bengals' playoff path clear 

Now that the Broncos have lost, the Bengals know exactly which teams have to lose at least one more time before the regular season ends.

The Bengals will make the playoffs if:

  • Bengals win final three games, finish 9-8
  • Broncos lose final two games, finish 9-8
  • Indianapolis Colts lose one game, finish 8-9 at best
  • Miami Dolphins lose one game, finish 8-9 at best

Before Thursday, the Bengals needed either the Chargers or Broncos to lose out. Had the Broncos beaten the Chargers, the Chargers would've had to drop both of their upcoming games against the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders, two games they will be favored to win.

Since the Chargers won, it's the Broncos who need to lose out. The Bengals have more control to make that happen. 

If the Bengals beat the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, they could get the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Broncos by taking them down next Saturday. Both games for the Bengals will be at home. 

The job wouldn't be finished. The Bengals would still need to be the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road in Week 18, both the Colts and Dolphins would need to lose a game if they hadn't done so already, and the Broncos would then have to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs in their regular season finale. 

It's far from ideal, but this is the best path remaining for the Bengals with their 6-8 record. They'd get into the playoffs with just two wins against winning teams, but they'd be in the playoffs nonetheless.

Game on.

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