Bengals’ Path to the Playoffs: Must-Win Games and Key Rooting Interests in Week 17
As the Cincinnati Bengals head into Week 17, the team finds itself in a critical position in their quest for the playoffs.
With only a few games left in the regular season, the Bengals are facing a must-win situation against the Denver Broncos, and they need to rely on the results of other key matchups to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Here’s a closer look at the Bengals’ playoff path and the key rooting interests that could help them secure the final AFC playoff spot.
Week 17: A Crucial Showdown Against the Broncos
The Bengals’ primary focus this week is their home game against the Denver Broncos, scheduled for Saturday, December 28, 2024.
A victory is essential if they are to stay in the hunt for the seventh and final playoff seed in the AFC. With a playoff berth on the line, the Bengals cannot afford to slip up against a Broncos team that has been fighting for their own playoff position.
Quarterback Joe Burrow, who has been playing at an MVP-caliber level, and the rest of the offense will need to maintain their momentum from a solid 24-6 win over the Cleveland Browns.
Burrow’s remarkable record-setting performances, including seven consecutive games with 250+ yards and 3+ touchdowns, will be crucial if the Bengals are to come out on top.
However, the Bengals are not in complete control of their destiny. With the AFC playoff race so tight, they must not only win but also rely on the results of other games to secure a spot in the postseason.
Key Rooting Interests for Bengals Fans
As the Bengals gear up for their must-win game, they’ll need help from other teams around the league. Here are the games to watch and the outcomes Bengals fans should be rooting for:
1. Kansas City Chiefs @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Bengals fans should be rooting for the Steelers to defeat the Chiefs.
A Kansas City loss would likely ensure that the Chiefs rest their starters in the final week of the regular season, which would help the Bengals in their Week 18 matchup against Denver. The more difficult Kansas City’s remaining schedule, the better for Cincinnati’s chances.
2. Baltimore Ravens @ Houston Texans
Another key game for Bengals fans to keep an eye on is the matchup between the Ravens and Texans. A Ravens win would clinch a playoff spot for them, but it also means the Bengals need to rely on other teams for their playoff chances.
Ideally, Bengals fans would root for the Texans to defeat Baltimore, keeping the AFC North competition alive and potentially helping the Bengals’ chances if the Ravens slip up.
3. Indianapolis Colts @ New York Giants
Rooting for the Giants to beat the Colts is essential for the Bengals. A Colts loss would improve Cincinnati’s chances of securing the final playoff spot in the AFC. The more teams ahead of the Bengals falter, the better their standing.
4. Miami Dolphins @ Cleveland Browns
Bengals fans should also root for the Cleveland Browns to beat the Miami Dolphins.
A loss for Miami would be beneficial, especially as they prepare to face the Jets in Week 18—one of the teams already eliminated from playoff contention. Keeping Miami’s playoff hopes in jeopardy could be a helpful scenario for the Bengals.
The Road Ahead: Week 18 and the Playoff Push
If the Bengals take care of business against the Broncos and the right results fall in their favor, they’ll head into Week 18 with a chance to clinch a playoff spot. A victory over Denver in Week 18 could seal their fate, but it will likely come down to the wire, with other teams’ results impacting the final standings.
Joe Burrow’s leadership and the continued growth of the Bengals’ young defense will be crucial in these final games. Players like Joseph Ossai, who stepped up with a sack against the Browns in the absence of Sam Hubbard, will need to continue making plays to support the Bengals’ playoff hopes.
Conclusion
The Cincinnati Bengals find themselves in a pivotal moment as the 2024 season nears its conclusion.
With a must-win game against the Denver Broncos in Week 17, the Bengals’ playoff fate is in their hands—but they will need help from other teams to secure that coveted final playoff spot.
As the Bengals battle their way through the final stretch of the season, their hopes rest not just on their own performance, but on the results of key games across the NFL.
The next two weeks will be critical, and Bengals fans will be glued to the action, hoping for a postseason berth that seemed far from certain earlier in the year.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Bengals continue their playoff push!
