CINCINNATI — After a two-month absence due to injury, Joe Burrow finally returned to the field Thursday night and stole the show in Baltimore. The Bengals quarterback threw for 261 yards and two touchdowns in the game. shocking 32-14 win over the Ravens.
It was such a dominant win that it made the rest of the Bengals' season very interesting.
At 4-8, the Bengals' playoff hopes are on life support, but if anyone can save the team, it's Burrow. The Bengals' quarterback hasn't lost a game in nearly a year. Since Week 14 of the 2024 season, the Bengals were 8-0 with Burrow in the starting lineup, including Thursday's win over the Ravens.
If this run continues, Cincinnati could end up with one of the most improbable playoff berths in NFL history. With just five games left in the season, Burrow is fully aware that he has no room for error going forward.
“It's no secret that every game from now on is basically a win, especially in the division,” Burrow told NBC after the Bengals' win. “It was great to get it in a short week.”
As things stand right now, the Bengals have a 2.2% chance of making the postseason, according to SportsLine odds.
If the Bengals are going to make the playoffs, they really only have one option: they need to win the AFC North.
For most 4-8 teams, the idea of winning the division is laughable, but fortunately for the Bengals, the AFC North has turned into a division no one wants to win this year.
Last year, the Bengals went 4-8 at one point before reeling off five straight wins to close out the season, so the team definitely knows what it takes to get hot.
So what needs to happen for the Bengals to steal the division title? Let's look at the most plausible scenario, but first check the division standings.
|
AFC North standings |
Overall record |
Division record |
Conference recording |
|
Steelers |
6-5 |
2-1 |
5-2 |
|
Crows |
6-6 |
2-1 |
4-4 |
|
Bengals |
4-8 |
3-1 |
4-4 |
|
Browns |
3-8 |
0-4 |
2-6 |
The Steelers are in first place at 6-5, but they play the Bills on Sunday and if they lose that game they will tie the Ravens at 6-6. At that point, the Bengals were just two games out of first place.
It won't be easy, but here's the most plausible scenario that ends with the Bengals winning the division.
BENGALS
Other opponents: at Bills (Win), Ravens (Win), Dolphins (Win), Cardinals (Win), Browns (Win)
What should happen: This one is easy: the Bengals need to run the table and win their last five games.
Final entry: 9-8, 5-1 in the division
CROW
Other opponents: Steelers (Win), Bengals (Loss), Patriots (Loss), Packers (Win), Steelers (Win)
What should happen: The Bengals need the Ravens to go 3-2 (or worse) in their final five games. Since the Bengals need to beat the Ravens, that means Cincinnati only needs Baltimore to lose one more game on the schedule, so let's say they lose to the Patriots. We also have the Ravens splitting their two games with the Steelers.
Final entry: 9-8, 4-2 in the division
STEELERS
Other opponents: Bills (loss), at Ravens (loss), Dolphins (win), at Lions (loss), at Browns (win), Ravens (win)
What should happen: The Steelers have a tough schedule this stretch, so it's entirely possible to see them go 3-3. They are underdogs to the Bills and will likely be underdogs to the Lions. If they lose both of those games and split with the Ravens, they would be 9-8.
Final entry: 9-8, 4-2 in the division
As I said above, the Bengals only have a 2% chance of making the playoffs, so please remember Lloyd's Christmas meme.
Burrow led the Bengals to a 2–0 record to start the season before missing nine games with a toe injury, and the team went just 1–8 in his absence. The Bengals' star quarterback was initially expected to return in mid-December, but he defied the odds by returning early, and now he will try to defy the odds once again by leading the Bengals to an improbable playoff run. He got his first win on Thanksgiving night and now he just needs to beat the Bengals five more.
