After lasting as long as they possibly could have, the Bengals have now officially been eliminated from playoff contention.
Entering week 18, they needed three things to happen. They needed to beat Pittsburgh on Saturday, which they did, and they needed both the Dolphins and Chiefs to lose on Sunday.
The Dolphins were without starting QB Tua Tagovailoa, and we’re taking on Aaron Rodgers and the Jets. Miami’s offence has not been the same this season without Tagovailoa, and the Jets were able to come away with the win.
Unfortunately, the Bengals could not get the third leg of the parlay to go their way. The Chiefs had already clinched the top seed, and rested most of their starters against the Broncos. Denver got off to a quick lead, and went into the break up 24-0. It was over not long after it started.
Cincinnati finishes the year with a record of 9-8, and for the second straight season, will be the top seed in the AFC to have missed the playoffs. Focus now turns to the offseason. The Bengals go into it with the 17th overall draft selection.
