Coming into Week 18, the Cincinnati Bengals were one victory and a Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos loss away from making the playoffs. “Hard Knocks” caught their reaction to being left out of the playoffs.
The Bengals handled their business when they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, and then they sat back and waited to see what would happen with the Dolphins and Broncos.
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The Dolphins lost to the New York Jets 32-20 earlier in the day and the Bengals could almost taste the playoffs. But the Bengals had to watch in disgust as the Broncos defeated the Chiefs 38-0.
“Hard Knocks” captured all the Bengals’ heartache on film and both Bengals players and fans were disgusted that the Chiefs all but handed the Broncos a playoff spot by sitting several of their starters, including Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
The Cincinnati Bengals lament the greatness of the Denver Broncos. pic.twitter.com/7ZErvF6IL6
— 📽️ Red Tribe Cinema (@ClayWendler) January 8, 2025
Like several NFL playoff teams who had nothing to gain, the Chiefs didn’t want to risk injury to their starters when they wrapped up the No. 1 spot in the AFC playoffs.
But naturally, fans are upset about what took place Sunday and felt some kind of way towards the Chiefs and expressed themselves on social media.
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Some Bengals fans think the Chiefs did this on purpose to keep the Bengals out of the playoffs.
In the few years that the Chiefs haven’t made the Super Bowl, it was because of the Bengals. Chiefs and Broncos fans had no sympathy for Bengals fans.
“Perhaps Bengals should have handled business in September, October, and November but only mustered 4 wins in 90 days, lost to the 4-13 Patriots in Week 1, lost 7 games by 7 total points or fewer. Had they won any 1 of those 7 games they would in the playoffs.”
Perhaps Bengals should have handled business in September, October, and November but only mustered 4 wins in 90 days, lost to the 4-13 Patriots in Week 1, lost 7 games by 7 total points or fewer. Had they won any 1 of those 7 games they would in the playoffs. #OnlyBlameUrSelves
— Mile High and Dry (@MileHighandDry) January 8, 2025
“If you don’t like others determining your fate, win more games early in the season. They all count the same at the end. The honest truth is your team wasn’t good enough this year.”
If you don't like others determining your fate, win more games early in the season. They all count the same at the end. The honest truth is your team wasn't good enough this year.
— MisterCDavid (@mistercdavid) January 8, 2025
Besides dealing with not making the playoffs, the Bengals have a lot of questions to deal with, including what to do with Tee Higgins and his future with the team.
For Who Dey, this team has to get better — that way, they don’t have to depend on others to make the playoffs.