Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) and quarterback Joe Burrow (9) celebrate a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 17 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. The Bengals took a 30-24 win in overtime to remain in the post season chase. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Cincinnati Bengals' Playoff Hopes Could Get Major Boost on Sunday

Originally posted on Cincinnati Bengals on SI
By James Rapien | Last updated Dec 29, 2024 10:42 AM ET

The Bengals beat the Broncos on Saturday night to keep their season alive.

Their playoff chances stand at 7% according to the New York Times simulator. If they beat the Steelers next week, their chances would rise to 17%.

The Bengals' playoff fate rests in the hands of other teams. It's why their playoff chances could get a major boost on Sunday.

If the Browns beat the Dolphins, Cincinnati's chances go up to 25%. If the Giants upset the Colts, they go up to 41%. If the Giants and Browns both win, the Bengals' chances rise to 61%.

The Bengals need to win in Pittsburgh and they need the Broncos to lose to the Chiefs next week. They also need the Colts and the Dolphins to lose one of their final two games. If those four things happen, then Cincinnati will be in the playoffs.

The Bengals go into today’s games with a 17% chance to make the playoffs if they win next week vs. the Steelers, per the NYT simulator.

Scenarios for today:
▪️Browns > Dolphins - up to 25%
▪️Giants > Colts - up to 41%
▪️Giants and Browns win? Up to 61%

A lot on the line today. https://t.co/NvTdtPfwIR pic.twitter.com/xQZk5MlkwF
— Gridiron Grading (@GridironGrading) December 29, 2024