Things haven’t gone fully according to plan for Joe Burrow and the Bengals this season. 

Entering a Week 14 matchup against the Cowboys, Cincinnati sat at just 4-8. Despite some strong offensive outputs, including a one of the best statistical seasons of Burrow’s career so far, the Bengals hadn’t been able to string together wins, casting serious doubt onto their potential for a late-season playoff push. 

However, with their 27-20 win over the Cowboys on Monday night, that playoff push is still possible. Head coach Zac Taylor’s group still faces a significant uphill battle to make the final edition of the 2024 AFC playoff picture, but crazier things have happened in the NFL. 

How could the Bengals still reach the postseason? As Cincinnati now heads into Week 15 following a victory over Dallas, here’s a look at the squad’s potential path to a playoff berth.

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Bengals playoff picture

After a 44-38 loss to Pittsburgh in Week 13, the Bengals’ playoff chances were certainly falling. They had lost three consecutive games, and things clearly just weren’t clicking on a team level. However, Cincinnati took a step in the right direction with Monday’s victory, improving to 5-8 this season. 

In the updated AFC playoff picture following Week 14, the Bengals still trail the Colts (6-7) and Dolphins (6-7) among AFC squads currently on the outside of the playoffs but not yet eliminated from contention. The Ravens (8-5), Chargers (8-5), and Broncos (8-5) all hold AFC wild-card spots.

Due to the three-win difference in record between Cincinnati and all three of the AFC wild-card leaders, the Bengals’ chances are still extremely slim. Not only would they likely have to win out, but they’d also still need help from other teams in that scenario. 

With Pittsburgh leading the AFC North at 10-3, the Bengals’ chances of winning their division are gone. If they’re going to make a run to the playoffs, it will come from the Bengals doing a lot of winning down the stretch, plus at least one of the Chargers, Ravens, and Broncos doing a lot of losing. 

Just four weeks remain in the NFL regular season. If there’s any team that could fall out of the AFC playoff picture, the Broncos appear to be the most vulnerable of the three wild-card teams, as both the Chargers (at New England, at Las Vegas) and Ravens (at Giants, vs. Cleveland) have two favorable matchups remaining to potentially reach 10 wins.

Denver has won its last three matchups, but has a more interesting stretch of opponents to end the season: the Colts, Chargers, Bengals, and Chiefs. Two of those squads are current playoff teams, while the two others remain hopeful in the race.

Hypothetically, if the Bengals can win their final four games and the Broncos falter down the stretch, Burrow could have a chance to lead his team to the playoffs.

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Bengals remaining schedule

Cincinnati does get two teams with losing records over its next two matchups. However, contests against Denver and Pittsburgh to end the regular season could be the most difficult challenges in a potential late-season playoff push.

Below is the Bengals’ final four-game stretch of the 2024 campaign:

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Bengals updated playoff chances

Prior to Cincinnati’s win over the Cowboys in Week 14, ESPN’s Seth Walder estimated a Bengals win to result in a 3% chance for them to make the playoffs.