Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals dropped to 4-6 after a controversial 35-34 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 10. Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase had remarkable performances, but once again, their defense let them down.
With this loss, the Bengals’ road to the playoffs has become much tougher, and Nick Wright believes that they are no longer a Super Bowl contender.
Nick Wright Counts Out Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
During a segment on “First Things First,” Wright mentioned that he still thinks that Cincinnati can make the playoffs but cannot win the Super Bowl with this level of play.
“I thought if they won last night, they weren’t officially done to win the division because you’re just either a [Russel Wilson] injury or a [Pittsburgh Steelers] regression away from being, you know what I mean, a half-game out of Baltimore if you think Baltimore could get there,” Wright said.
“That is clearly dead now; I don’t think they’re dead as the potential seven seed, but they are a fatally flawed team. So, I think their championship hopes are done. Do I think if they get in as the seven they could beat whoever the two seed is? I do because, with this explosive of an offense, you absolutely can. But can you win three straight road playoff games with a team like this? No, you just can’t.”
“They are a fatally flawed team, so I think their championship hopes are done.”
— @getnickwright on the Cincinnati Bengals pic.twitter.com/BcR6TjIHSB
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) November 8, 2024
Wright also called out the Bengals for losing key players like DJ Reader and Jessie Bates III in free agency over the last few years. Their departures have made the Bengals’ defense one of the worst in the league.
He also highlighted the mismanagement of Chase’s contract, due to which they will be forced to pay a lot more next year.
“I blame the organization more than anything. … They’re not a contender at this point, they’re not,” added Wright.
Cincinnati will also likely lose Tee Higgins in free agency after this season, which could also have a big impact on the team as the Clemson product is arguably the best WR2 that any team has in the league.
Can the Bengals Still Make the Playoffs?
The Bengals still have a shot at making the playoffs. A 10-win team or even a nine-win team will likely make it to the postseason from the AFC, and based on how Burrow and Chase are playing, Cincinnati has the firepower to outscore anyone.
Bengals’ remaining seven games:
- Week 11: at Los Angeles Chargers
- 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
Cincinnati should be able to get wins against the Cowboys, Titans, Browns, and potentially the Broncos. Even if they split the season series with the Steelers and lose to the Chargers, the Bengals will have nine wins and can make the playoffs.
However, a win against the Chargers in Week 11 before their bye week will go a long way in building the team’s confidence for the rest of the season.
Surprisingly, Pro Football Network’s Playoff Predictor has the Bengals missing the playoffs with a record of 8-9. It has the Kansas City Chiefs finishing as the No. 1 seed in the AFC, with the Ravens, New York Jets, and Houston Texans being the division champions and the Steelers, Buffalo Bills, and Chargers edging out the Bengals for the Wild Card Round spots.