Bengals Playoff Chances: Joe Burrow Facing Uphill Climb Despite 3-Game Winning Streak

[@BetoRodriguezcet3]

Im just thankful we get meaningful football to close the year, WHODEY from Guadalajara Mexico

[@nickmoore9898]

Hell yeah

[@blackdaryl8378]

Who Dey back to you from Cincinnati, Ohio 💪🏿🤘🏿🔥🔥

[@JigginwithG]

Same thoughts! Whodey from Portland Oregon 🐅

[@heathswinson6506]

Agreed 👍

[@ChrisB-vb9hh]

The loss to the Chargers was a back breaker!! How important was the football for dummies performance against the Patriots? That one is definitely haunting us now!

[@RickyFrench72]

There were a lot of back breaker games. Especially the patriots game.

[@weatherdawg4728]

The Ravens games really were the killer. Bad hold and snap on game winner. Or the missed calls on the 2pt conversion. Lots of what ifs, just have to hope they make appropriate moves and changes in offseason.

[@RickyFrench72]

@@weatherdawg4728 you have to remember too that missed game winning fg in overtime was once again was the incompetence play calling/ decision making by zac taylor. As soon as Lamar fumbled zac once again folded under pressure and ran the ball 3 times to settle for a 53 yard fg. If you didn’t see the game and going off by what I just said you would think they must of had the ball in the red zone . Right?

[@Bengals_are_Better]

I’m thankful that we have a small chance at the playoffs, I thought it was over after that Steelers loss

[@patskiba]

I am happy to see them so well

[@Horsemom121]

Me too!

[@gabemarlow5745]

whoever tweaked the intro music to sound like a festive jingle absolutely cooked🔥

[@doncarpenter1040]

Like others have said, it's fun to have meaningful games in December. Merry Christmas to you James and to all of you.

[@NOC1TIME]

What's needs to happen. More than will likely happen. Good to see them having fun with the game right now.

[@kane6529]

I get so fucking furious just thinking of what should’ve been. This teams too talented to need a miracle but here we are 🤮

[@LightBeamer777]

Have a Merry Christmas James!

[@jawmedia7575]

I'm at work having transmission fluid drip on my face . No zoom calls or water coolers here. All I know the entire playoff bound group of teams absolutely do not want to see the bengals. At all

[@morningstar8651]

I bet week one against the Patriots is coming back to haunt them. I totally blame Zac Taylor and the front office for tying up contract negotiations in the offseason

[@jeffward-0021]

@@morningstar8651 Zac Taylor has nothing to do with contracts he's a coach all he does is get what he's giving and try to make the best of it

[@charleswise4831]

Get off the ‘fire Zac” bandwagon! Ain’t happening! Not his fault the defense can’t tackle!

[@Waverman9]

I feel like we still have a great chance of getting in the playoffs

[@smittyhoward]

Dan O said on GetUp this morning if Bengals make playoffs Joey B should be MVP. The other 3 jerks laughed & snickered. I think he is right.

[@bryanlegarretta3404]

The bengals are going to have to do something these next two weeks they haven’t done all year.. beat a team with a winning record

[@TheyCallMeRabbit98]

they wanna see that defense, not that offense.

[@newfoundmoralclarity]

You would think the NFL would want the Bengals in the playoffs, but judging from how Burrow is officiated, the NFL wants the Bengals to lose as much as possible

[@troyzieman7177]

I am a Buffalo Billls fan but I am not here to take shots at the Bengals . I mean this in a complimentary way . Under no circumstances do I want to to see Cincinnati make the playoffs . They would be an absolute handful for my team and for all the AFC . The good news for Cincinnati is if you dont make it this year . Next year looks like you have some reason to think that there will be better results

[@Tre337]

Let’s hope we make it

[@morningstar8651]

The main reason the Bengals won’t make the playoffs….. Colts, in no way let the lowly Giants or the Jags beat them

[@billydeaton3560]

One game is all it takes !!

[@owen730]

I could see the Jags upsetting them since it's a divisional game and they know each other well but not very confident that will happen

[@Zack-pq7yo]

Colts ain't great

[@nicknuzzo6417]

Mac Jones will clutch it

[@Jake_Conley]

Fighting for the post season will never be the wrong move and it is making these last few games enjoyable. But if they go 8-9, 9-8 missing the playoffs. We HAVE to label this a lost season. Period. There has to be accountability by coaching and front office.

[@ronniesmith2170]

James don't say that sentence again 😭 hard to even ROOT for that TEAM

[@DeportillegalAliens]

Who Steelers? I would easily root for them over chiefs

[@motelghost477]

Whether the Bengals make the playoffs or not, it still makes for must-see games like their next game against Denver. Compelling football that matters.

[@bryantjohnson5139]

How about; playing better in your own division. Here’s another thought, have your football team ready to play when the season starts and not lose to the patriots 🤔

[@cardsfan1590]

You forgot play defense,the slow start sucked,but this defense can't stop anyone that's what cost this season

[@shawnosullivan5764]

As simple as the scenario that is laid out there is, it’s still such a longshot that all that happens. First off, the colts and dolphins are very likely to win atleast one of those games against the bad teams they get to play. Secondly, bengals are likely to bungle up versus the broncos and/or the Steelers. As much as I’d love to see the stripes in the playoffs I just don’t see it happening. Coaching and defense has failed the team too many times throughout the season and now it’s biting us in the ahh

[@jonparker1712]

Great music!

[@johnmuhammad116]

The 3 losses that really stand out to me that they should have won was the Ravens chiefs and patriots. The call at the end of KC game was BS! They easily should have split with baltimore. Know way they should have loss to the patriots!

[@quintenruckman3505]

The call against the Chiefs was one of the most obvious PI calls of the season.. you know you’re a loser when you blame the refs after your team lost to the PATRIOTS week 1!!!

[@jeffward-0021]

@@quintenruckman3505even though the next week the Chiefs did the exact same thing to the team they were playing and they didn't get called for it ain't that crazy. There must be a lot of losers for NFL fans cuz the referees are taking some heat this last 2 years. They have decided the outcomes of more games the last two years they did in the time the NFL's been around. Could it be because betting is legalized now. Only a loser Chiefs fan would have a response like you had

[@SearchingOhio]

Joe is fire. Their defense this year has ruined it all.

[@DovontaeJones]

I told you guys after we lost to Pittsburgh that we were still going to have a chance after we won in Dallas and now we are rolling and make it 4 in a row

[@bobbymarried2024]

We are a real contender so of course we aren’t laying down for a pick in the draft the better the stars play the better we are in free agency the draft is truly like 40/60 great player’s in college dont automatically mean great NFL PLAYERS so id rather pick through FREE AGENCY so who cares about the draft let’s go for a playoff spot because our team is really playing top football and I think if we get IN we have a team shot at going the distance to the Super Bowl

[@JustMe99999]

Cool your jets there a little bit... They have yet to beat a team with a winning record; the real test is against Denver this week. The defense keeps getting exposed against good teams.

[@marcuscicero7169]

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships". -Michael Jordan

[@JustMe99999]

The best chance for Indy and Miami to lose was this week. Unlikely it happens, but you never know.

[@ScottFerguson-s4t]

I think the Chiefs will want to play some starters in Week 18 even if they beat PIT. KC won't go into playoff game after not 'playing' for 2 weeks. As a Bengals fan, the team finishing as strong as possible is the goal.

[@DeamonteNicholson]

Woh day

[@ThePopeDrinksWine]

Bengals missing the playoffs despite an MVP-caliber year from #9 is the best longterm scenario. The front office has to be punished for their complacency and fiscal irresponsibility during his prime HAS to be exposed to get things to change. Mike Brown, Duke Tobin, and the Blackburns need to be undeniably exposed for their unwillingness to make the necessary moves for premier players, to the point of demonizing and devaluing the franchise. Getting better has to become a profitable investment in their eyes. If they squeak in, it would, in their eyes, justify their current player acquisition plan.

[@demeruta]

I never thought I would say this.... Go Browns , beat the dolphins

[@jarhead3121usmc]

We are 0fer against winning teams.. winning out is going to be hard enough. I honestly don't see Indi or Miami losing either of their last 2 games.

[@motelghost477]

The Bengals' biggest problem is the Dolphins and the Colts, both their last two games are against pathetic opposition. The Colts play the Giants and the Jaguars. Miami play the Browna and the Jets.

[@blueblazer201]

Let's see how Wednesday's Christmas day games come to pass. If Pittsburgh rolls over as they did in Baltimore this past weekend, KC doesn't have to worry about their Denver game final. They (Chiefs) will have the #1 Seed wrapped up. If Pittsburgh wins, then they'll earn an AFC North division title, if Baltimore loses or ties. If both teams win, then Pittsburgh will have to 'play' Bengals to win. Conference tie breaker. Baltimore hosts Cleveland in Week 18. Bengals still need to win out, and also have Indy AND Miami to lose one of their final two games. Let's see how the dominoes fall.

[@jabasabon]

Odds The Bengals Beat the Broncos = 50% Odds The Bengals Beat the Steelers = 50% Odds The Chiefs Beat the Broncos = 50% Odds the Browns or the Jets (or both) beat the Dolphins = 60% Odds the Giants or the Jaguars (or both) beat the Colts = 55% Odds the Bengals make the playoffs = .5*.5*.5*.6*.55 = 4.125% I'd love to understand how some people are coming up with numbers like 8% or 12% because I can't see it.

[@DovontaeJones]

Come on Pittsburgh we need ya Wednesday so the chiefs have something to play for in week 18 against the Denver so they can clinch the number 1 seed and home field advantage in week 18

[@alanplacko]

The amount of single score games that the bengals have lost and the number of penalty calls going against them is a little disheartening. There can only be one patrick mahomes who gets the benefit of the doubt.

[@by.purefilms]

Sorry to say but Indy is killing our Playoff Dream …

Remember this; the Ravens will be pulling for us the last week of the season! Go figure!?!?!

[@jimmyhartke6218]

It is a lost season. They have to win out & are playing well, won 3 straight, but have not beat a team with a winning record. They need 2 or 3 teams to implode & lose. I think to the unorganized early season of missed opportunities. Classic Bengals, we have high hopes, hopes dashed, then hopes renewed to get dashed again. They rip your heart out then nothing changes in the off season

[@DovontaeJones]

No I heard that if the charges win that the colts will be eliminated before they walk out on the field Sunday because the colts need the charges to lose to the patriots on Saturday and the patriots will play the charges on Saturday at 1pm that's what they put on the bengals Twitter yesterday while the bengals was playing yesterday against the browns

[@carspiv]

The fact that this 3/4 of one dimensional football team has a chance to play in the postseason is a condemnation of the quality of play in today’s NFL. Thanks, Roger Goodell!! Thanks, rules committee!! Nothing like more of a watered-down product to keep interest in the sport alive!

[@tjhoward8412]

So what do you think of Browning+ for Garrett???

[@NOC1TIME]

What's going on with Mims on the sideline? Getting physical walking off

[@ronniesmith2170]

Cry😢 JAMES DO I HAVE TO ROOT FOR THAT SMELLY TEAM NOOOOOOO

[@kane6529]

Niners screwed us and so did the titans 😖 both of those games could’ve been Ls and I’d feel a whole lot better about this

[@jakubjungle656]

The Patriots beat the Bills to hit the nail on the head and end the season

[@bryanlegarretta3404]

Defense showing signs of life.. after they’ve played 3 consecutive backup quarterbacks and horrible teams 😂

[@BengalsTalk]

Dallas isn’t a “horrible” team. And they’ve been dominant against bad teams which is what good defenses do.

[@bryanlegarretta3404]

@ they’re just a team with a backup quarterback and losing record which is the kinda team the bengals have only beat this year

[@BengalsTalk]

@ yep. And to get in the playoffs they have to beat two winning teams lol 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@ronniesmith2170]

Kinda got hit with reality by dolphins winning so just end the season strong

[@jeffward-0021]

@@ronniesmith2170 exactly dude we have to depend on other teams our season's over you know we don't have the best of luck. But if they win out at least we have a winning season and that would be good

[@Montrovantis]

@@jeffward-0021 Why would that be good? They don't even get the benefit of losing with a quality draft pick that way. It's the worst outcome possible.

[@jeffward-0021]

@@Montrovantis because unlike you these people actually play on the team and it would do well for their psyche. Think about the players dude. Instead of going Gaga over a possible draft pick. That sounds like a stat nerd talking not a football player. What do you think the players would want to do if they were asked? Ask yourself that

[@Montrovantis]

@@jeffward-0021 The players would want to sign all of their buddies to top end contracts and have an oline that can't block and a defense that can't stop the other team. I don't care what the players want. i care about what's good for the team.

[@jeffward-0021]

@Montrovantis how do you know? Have you talked to each and every one of them or something? Without players there will be no team lol. But it's cool you pretty much summed up what kind of fan you are in that last statement so have a good one 👍

[@bowl300ify]

Although their season is on life support. BENGALS ARE GETTING IN THE PLAYOFFS. I put that on my life. I'm bold to do it based on what I'm seeing although we need help from the Dolphins, Colts, and Broncos.

[@RickyFrench72]

Damn bro you just put yourself on life support next to the Bengals 🤣🤣🤣 but if you’re alive in 2025 then we made the playoffs . Who Dey

[@QuiGonGrinn]

@@RickyFrench72 RIP 😂😂

[@RickyFrench72]

@@QuiGonGrinn 🤣🤣🤣

[@OSUcookin]

Why are people taking out the fact that if the chargers win a game, the Colts are eliminated from playoff contention! Who do the Chargers play you ask? Patriots, and Raiders so colts I’m not sorry. You’re not making the playoffs. WHO DEY!

[@mercado4life188]

How does this make any sense

[@DovontaeJones]

Because that's what it said on Twitter because the colts need the charges to lose on Saturday and if they don't lose on Saturday I heard that they will be eliminated before they step on the field on Saturday

[@ScarZKI]

If us and colts win out and Denver loses out don’t we get in bc Denver beat Indy?

[@neubianx]

Colts are going to win out. Titans were our best chance of them taking the one L we needed. Giants and Jags aren't going to put in the effort to do it.

[@WhoDeyTrey]

It's not happening and I'm glad. The team doesn't deserve it.

[@paulshafer976]

Well if they didn’t start so slow! I mean every year they wouldn’t have to worry about everyone else helping them to get in! That’s what happens when you don’t take care of your business! Like I said Coach Zac Shula needs to be fired along with the rest of this coaching staff period!!! By the way I don’t want to hear well Zac has a great offense this year. He’s the head coach what about the Defense and Special Teams! I guess he’s the just 1/3 of a head coach! I think Zac Shula has taken this team as far as he can!!! I mean he’s not the only coach on this team that can’t get right! Let’s look at Lousy Lou! His Defenses statistics the past 6 seasons he’s been here have finished in the bottom in the NFL with the only exception the Super Bowl year! Also the Offensive Line coach Frank Pollack is a joke at this point! His lineman regress regularly and cannot run block inside a phone booth! This coaching staff with all this talent is inept as far as I’m concerned.

[@matthewharmon7956]

I hope they don't bench mims. OL coach is a problem when he fights with his best lineman. Pulls him. Terrible. Let him play.

[@BowPlayKay]

If we don't make tge play offs this year it won't be from a loss but more about other teams we need to lose actually winning lol.

[@ronniesmith2170]

Think I'm about to be 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢

[@ronniesmith2170]

Just win 5 straight

[@wesleysniipers3658]

Why do the Colts have such a pathetic year-end schedule???

[@DeportillegalAliens]

Colts will lose a game, they're not good

[@pdureska7814]

The Bengals lost their chance at the playoffs starting 0-3. Two of those first 3 games were easily winnable but for the fact we are talking a Zac Taylor coached team. By definition his teams start poorly with an overall record of 1-11 during his tenure for the first 2 regular season games. If this team had won just one of those 3 games they'd be in a better position to make the playoffs. Win 2 out of 3 or all three and they definitely would be in the playoffs. All these late season wins does if give management a reason to keep Taylor as coach. Plus, this team isnt playing any better. Who did they beat? Cleveland, the Cowboys and the Titans who have a combined record of 13-32 and all three suck at the QB position playing backups. Any team with a heartbeat at QB and a decent RB will carve this defense up though i doubt Taylor ditches Anarumo. I also think they wont replace their below average line coach. Front office will once again screwup the cap and free agents and the draft. Next year it will be the same story, 0-2 or 0-3 start and a litany of excuses. The only positive i can say about Taylor is that he's used the ground game more with Chase Brown and also used him as a receiver. I get it. People want to have a reason to root for the Bengals but literally the season was lost after the first 3 games (2.5% chance of going to the playoffs starting 0-3, and 11% if we were 0-2). Taylor should be fired for his inability to get his teams ready to play from the start of the season. Time to face reality.

[@JustMe99999]

Taylor wouldn't be going anywhere even if they went 0-17. He took the team to the Super Bowl, Mike Brown isn't going to fire him.

[@pdureska7814]

@@JustMe99999 Sadly i agree with you. i see many people talk about a new coach or new assistants yadda yadda. But the crux is that Zac doesnt have "it" that motivates his team at the beginning of a season. You could change the front office, the assistants, the players etc but as long as Zac Taylor is the HC, the bad preparation will continue and every year the load will be paced on Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr and a couple others while the rest of the team plays like cold caca and the team does its early season swoon. Why arent the writers hammering him about this? I'll wager the Burrow has had the discussion with Zac abut this and he wasnt easy going Joe when he had that conversation.

[@AnthonyMancuso-pt4ru]

There aint no way in hhh or any other alphabet inserted that miami indy or even denver is better than us. But sadly one those joke teams will likely go to Buffalo and get stomped meanwhile we wonder why Tanner hudson didnt just walk into the endzone vs patriots in week one?

[@gamergame5318]

Colt and dolphin lose by 2 would work too hey

[@bryanlegarretta3404]

Bengals are trash. They only beat bad teams. Giants raiders browns panthers cowboys titans. You know what they all have in common, losing record teams

[@SnakeyD8468]

Its over take it like a man

[@J.R.Carrel]

Franchise tag T Higgins again and trade him for Myles Garrett

[@BengalsTalk]

Two firsts and Higgins?

[@paulgee8113]

KC / BALT DONT WANT TO PLAY THE BENGALS AGAIN . SHOULD BE 0-3 AGAINST US ..

[@JohnLight1]

About a 5% chance

[@ReformedJerry]

Colts will not lose another game. I’m sorry just look at the giants depth charts rn 💀 and then the jaguars lol come on but I will say hopefully jaguars get divisional game luck and somehow win but it’s unlikely

[@SnakeyD8468]

Miami is not losing to the Jests or Browns...Colts probably not losing either

[@Chiefs555]

Chiefs will lose to the Broncos on purposes just to keep the Bengals out. Assuming they beat the steelers and lock up the number one seed.

[@quintenruckman3505]

When you have to rely on multiple teams to lose out to even have a CHANCE to make the playoffs the season is already over… you’re just costing yourself draft position for some false hope. Bengals can’t even lose right.. LMFAO!

[@maddoxvacio7973]

Bengals get in so u could beat the bills

[@DovontaeJones]

The jaguars already beat the colts and the jaguars are going to beat them of again with Mac Jones at quarterback to

[@jeremykenyon7041]

I don't know why people keep saying the colts need to lose no they don't if we beat the broncos they can't go ahead of us because the broncos beat them so we would initially go ahead of the broncos, if the chargers win one game the colts are eliminated

[@bryanlegarretta3404]

Bengals only beat bad teams and backup quarterbacks