The AFC playoff picture seems pretty clear, as seven teams have the leg up to make the postseason. Still, three teams have a chance to steal a playoff spot with a strong finish, and the Bengals may have the best chance of the bunch.
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Cincinnati has won its last two games. Quarterback Joe Burrow and the rest of the Bengals’ offense are doing their best to make a late run. That continues on Sunday when the Bengals host the Browns in their second-last home game of the season.
Ahead of Cincinnati’s divisional matchup, here are its updated chances to make the playoffs this year.
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Bengals playoff picture
The Bengals cannot win the division because the Steelers have clinched a better record. Therefore, Cincinnati’s only chance to make the playoffs is as a wild-card team.
AFC wild-card standings
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 5. | Baltimore Ravens | 9-5 |
| 6. | Los Angeles Chargers | 9-6 |
| 7. | Denver Broncos | 9-6 |
| 8. | Indianapolis Colts | 6-8 |
| 9. | Miami Dolphins | 6-8 |
| 10. | Cincinnati Bengals | 6-8 |
The Bengals have to fight off multiple teams to make the playoffs. Cincinnati is one of three teams at 6-8 on the outside looking in, joining the Colts and Dolphins, but it is highly unlikely that any of the three teams overtake the Ravens, Broncos or Chargers.
While all three of the Ravens, Broncos and Chargers can clinch a playoff spot this week, Denver and Los Angeles play each other, so at least one wild-card spot will remain open. Both Baltimore and Denver can clinch with a win, while the Chargers need to win and get other teams to lose to clinch.
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Bengals remaining schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| Dec. 22 | vs. Cleveland Browns | 1:00 p.m. |
| Dec. 28 | vs. Denver Broncos | 4:30 p.m. |
| Jan. 5 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | TBD |
Any chance of the Bengals making the playoffs likely requires them to win all their remaining games. After playing the 3-11 Browns at home this week, Cincinnati has to play teams in the playoff picture to close the season.
Bengals updated playoff chances
According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, the Bengals have just a 9.6 percent chance of making the playoffs, which is better than the Dolphins (3.7 percent) and Colts (2.5 percent).
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