The Cincinnati Bengals were hoping to return to the NFL playoffs this season after missing out on the dance in 2023, but the 2024 campaign hasn’t gone as planned.
Following a heartbreaking loss in Week 10 and then another in Week 11 to the Chargers, Cincinnati remains on the outside looking in.
Using Pro Football Network’s playoff predictor, let’s take a look at the latest odds for the Bengals to make the playoffs.
Can the Cincinnati Bengals Make the Playoffs?
After all the action in Week 11, the Cincinnati Bengals are 4-7 and now have a 9.7% chance to make the playoffs.
They have a 0.0% chance for the 1 seed, a 0.1% chance for the second seed, a 0.2% chance for the third seed, a 0.1% chance for the fourth seed, a 0.5% chance for the fifth seed, a 2.2% chance for the sixth seed, and a 6.6% chance for the seventh seed.
Can the Bengals Win the AFC North?
Here’s what the AFC North race looks like after all the Sunday action in Week 11:
- The Pittsburgh Steelers have a 53.7% chance to win the AFC North.
- The Baltimore Ravens have a 45.9% chance to win the AFC North.
- The Cincinnati Bengals have a 0.4% chance to win the AFC North.
- The Cleveland Browns have a 0.0% chance to win the AFC North.
Current AFC North Standings
- Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2)
- Baltimore Ravens (7-4)
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-7)
- Cleveland Browns (2-8)
Bengals’ Super Bowl Chances After Week 11
Can the Bengals win the Super Bowl? The PFN Playoff Predictor projects that Cincinnati has a 0.0% chance to win it all.
Bengals’ Remaining Schedule
- Week 12: BYE
- Week 13: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Week 14: at Dallas Cowboys
- Week 15: at Tennessee Titans
- Week 16: vs. Cleveland Browns
- Week 17: vs. Denver Broncos
- Week 18: at Pittsburgh Steelers
What PFN Predicted for the Bengals vs. Chargers Matchup
The matchup between the Bengals and Chargers at SoFi Stadium is a game between teams with contrasting styles. Los Angeles is paced by an unforgiving defense, while the Bengals feature an explosive offense.
Los Angeles enters on a three-game winning streak and boasts the NFL’s No. 1 scoring defense, having surrendered only 13.1 offensive points per game. Cincinnati, headlined by quarterback Joe Burrow and receiver Ja’Marr Chase, ranks sixth in scoring at 26.1 points per game and fourth in passing at 254.8 yards per game. Fellow wideout Tee Higgins will return from a three-game injury absence to play on Sunday night.
“I hope it doesn’t feel like anything.”
Joe Burrow back in SoFi Stadium for the first time since the Super Bowl loss.
Does he remember anything about that day? “Yea, that day sucked.” #Bengals | @WLWT pic.twitter.com/vW1BmBJ8U0
— Olivia Ray (@OliviaRayTV) November 13, 2024
The Bengals enter Week 11 coming off a heartbreaking loss to the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. Burrow lit up the Ravens’ defense, throwing for 428 yards and four touchdowns, with 264 of those yards and three of the four touchdowns going to Chase. But it wasn’t enough, as the Bengal’s defense surrendered touchdowns on each of its final four drives (excluding end-of-game kneel-downs).
Cincinnati allows 26.2 points per game, ranks 29th in third-down defense, and has only 17 sacks and 10 takeaways on the season. That could spell trouble against Justin Herbert, who has benefited from a more pass-heavy scheme since the Chargers’ Week 5 bye. Since Week 6, Herbert has the fourth-highest passer rating (107.4) in the NFL.
Los Angeles is currently listed as a 1.5-point favorite, while the total for Sundy’s game sits at 47.5.
PFN Prediction: Chargers 28, Bengals 24