The Bengals exited week 16 with an important win over the Baltimore Ravens, giving themselves some cushion at the top of the AFC North. The win now puts them 1.5 games up with only 2 games remaining, meaning that they can clinch with only one more win. The Bengals close out their schedule with a home game against the Kansas City Chiefs and a road game against the Browns.
The Chiefs currently sit atop the AFC with an 11-4 record. They’ve got the Titans breathing down their neck, as Tennessee is only one game back. The Bengals are still mathematically alive in the race for top spot. For that to happen, they would need to win both remaining games, Kansas City would have to lose both (one is head to head), and the Titans would have to lose one of their last two.
A loss by the Bengals to the Chiefs would likely mean that they will be playing for the division in week 18. The Browns and Steelers go head to head in week 17. A Browns win would mean that the Bengals-Browns matchup would be winner takes all. However, if the Steelers win, a scenario still exists where the Bengals can lose out and win the division. In that scenario, the Rams must beat the Ravens in week 17 and the Ravens must beat the Steelers in week 18.
The AFC is extremely tight, with an additional six outside teams still alive to potentially snag a spot in the postseason. These last two weeks will be crucial for those looking to punch their ticket.
