After an emotional overtime win over the Denver Broncos in Week 17, the Bengals remain alive in the AFC Playoff Picture. With one game left in the season, Cincinnati has a clear path to the postseason:
Bengals defeat Denver Broncos in Week 17Indianapolis Colts lose one of their final two games- Miami Dolphins lose to the New York Jets in Week 18
- Denver Broncos lose to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18
- Bengals defeat Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18
The Bengals' road to the playoffs starts with a win against the Steelers in Pittsburgh in Week 18. Currently, The Athletic has Cincinnati as favored by 0.5 in that game. The Bengals lost to the Steelers 38-44 at Paycor Stadium back in Week 13.
"It's going to be another do-or-die [in Pittsburgh]," cornerback Mike Hilton said after the win Saturday. "We have to go out there and win a tough game against a good opponent. Obviously we need some things outside our control to happen, but tonight was big for us to even have a shot. That's all you can ask for at this point in the year."
After that, Cincinnati needs the Denver Broncos to lose to the 15-1 Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City is coming off a 29-10 thrashing of the Steelers and clinched the number one seed in the AFC.
Entering Week 17, the Bengals also needed the Indianapolis Colts and the Miami Dolphins to each lose one of their last two games.
The Colts fell to the New York Giants on Sunday 45-33 and were eliminated from playoff contention. The Dolphins defeated the Browns, though, and the Bengals will now need Miami to lose to the New York Jets in Week 18.
"We found our way back into it," quarterback Joe Burrow said. "All we can do now is control what we can control and try to get a big win next week."
