Can the Bengals still make the playoffs? The numbers behind Cincinnati’s postseason odds
Here’s everything you need to know about the Bengals’ postseason hopes.
Cincinnati’s 2025 season has been a roller-coaster ride marked by early promise, injury setbacks, and heartbreak. With a 4–9 record and the calendar rolling through December like a runaway train, the Bengals find themselves clinging to a postseason dream that looks highly unlikely.
Highly likely, yes, but not yet mathematically impossible.
Quarterback Joe Burrow’s return in November injected new life into the offence, and a big win over the Ravens showed what this team can do when clicking on all cylinders. However, the side followed popped the hopeful balloon with loss after loss, including a snowy defeat in Buffalo where a late lead evaporated.
At this point in the season, Cincinnati’s path to the playoffs is narrow and convoluted to say the least. They must now win every remaining game to maintain postseason qualification hopes.
Joe Burrow needed a laugh on his birthday.
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) December 10, 2025
Pokémon delivered.
Here's two minutes of deep, deep knowledge on his favorite cards and a belly laugh on a question about the marketplace.
Just phenomenal. #Bengals @FOX19 @JoeyB pic.twitter.com/WY30vpmfYt
How can the Cincinnati Bengals qualify for the postseason?
Remember: convoluted. Even if the Bengals go unbeaten, that won’t automatically secure a wild-card slot. For their dream to stay alive, innumerable constellations of stars must align in the rest of the AFC North:
- Pittsburgh Steelers would need to lose at least three of their final four games.
- Baltimore Ravens can’t run the table either; a loss — ideally to Cincinnati — would help disrupt tiebreakers.
This combination would set up a three-way tie where the Bengals, assuming they win out, could potentially take the division title on tie-breaking rules.
In simple terms: they need every bounce of the ball to go their way. The tension is high, and it is the hope, the slim sliver of enticing hope, that is keeping things alive.
Happy Birthday, Joe Burrow 🎉 pic.twitter.com/PCdxaTpfUb
— SleeperBengals (@SleeperBengals) December 10, 2025
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