The Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) fell to the San Francisco 49ers (7-6) on Sunday and with four games to play in the regular season have put themselves in a tight situation. For the Bengals to make the playoffs, they likely can't afford to lose more than one more game.
The two most important games for Cincinnati to win are against the Ravens and Browns. If the Bengals win both games, they can win the AFC North which would guarantee them a spot in the postseason.
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Prior to Sunday's loss to the 49ers, the Bengals were the No. 7 seed in the AFC. Now, they are on the outside looking in. It will be a race to the finish line.
Here's where the Bengals fit in the AFC playoff picture:
- New England Patriots (9-4), first place AFC East
- Tennessee Titans (9-4), first place AFC South
- Kansas City Chiefs (9-4), first place AFC West
- Baltimore Ravens (8-5), first place AFC North
- Los Angeles Chargers (8-5), second place AFC West
- Indianapolis Colts (7-6), second place AFC South
- Buffalo Bills (7-6), second place AFC East
Here's who is in the AFC playoff hunt:
- Cleveland Browns (7-6)
- Cincinnati Bengals (7-6)
- Denver Broncos (7-6)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6-1)
The Bengals remaining games are against the following:
- Week 15: Bengals at Denver Broncos
- Week 16: Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens
- Week 17: Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs
- Week 18: Bengals at Cleveland Browns
Based off the way the schedule plays out, the Bengals are now in must-win situations against the Broncos, Ravens and Browns. It's hard to imagine the Bengals getting in the playoffs with more than six losses based off the records of the other AFC teams on the bubble.
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