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CINCINNATI — After lacking two months as a result of damage, Joe Burrow lastly made his return to the sphere on Thursday evening and he stole the present in Baltimore. The Bengals quarterback threw for 261 yards and two touchdowns in a stunning 32-14 win over the Ravens.
It was such a dominant win that the remainder of the Bengals’ season simply obtained very fascinating.
At 4-8, the Bengals’ playoff hopes are on life assist, but when anybody can save the workforce it is Burrow. The Bengals quarterback has now gone virtually a full yr with out dropping a recreation. Since Week 14 of the 2024 season, the Bengals have gone 8-0 with Burrow as their starter, together with Thursday’s win over the Ravens.
If that run can proceed, Cincinnati may find yourself pulling off one of the vital unbelievable playoff berths in NFL historical past. With simply 5 video games left to play within the season, Burrow absolutely realizes that there isn’t any margin for error going ahead.
“It is no secret that each recreation from right here on out is principally a should win, particularly within the division,” Burrow informed NBC following the Bengals’ win. “It was nice to get this one, coming off a brief week.”
As issues stand now, the Bengals have a 2.2% probability of creating the postseason, based on the percentages from SportsLine.
If the Bengals are going to make the playoffs, they actually solely have one choice: They need to win the AFC North.
For many 4-8 groups, the concept of profitable the division is laughable, however fortunately for the Bengals, the AFC North has changed into the division that nobody desires to win this yr.
The Bengals had been 4-8 at one level final yr earlier than operating off 5 straight wins to finish the season, so the workforce definitely is aware of what it takes to get scorching.
So what must occur for the Bengals to steal the division title? Let’s check out probably the most believable state of affairs, however first, let’s try the division standings.
AFC North Standings | General document | Division document | Convention document |
Steelers | 6-5 | 2-1 | 5-2 |
Ravens | 6-6 | 2-1 | 4-4 |
Bengals | 4-8 | 3-1 | 4-4 |
Browns | 3-8 | 0-4 | 2-6 |
The Steelers are in first place at 6-5, however they play the Payments on Sunday, and in the event that they lose that recreation, they’re going to fall right into a tie at 6-6 with the Ravens. At that time, the Bengals can be simply two video games out of first place.
It will not be simple, however this is probably the most believable state of affairs that will finish with the Bengals profitable the division.
BENGALS
Remaining opponents: at Payments (Win), Ravens (Win), Dolphins (Win), Cardinals (Win), Browns (Win)
What has to occur: This one is straightforward, the Bengals need to run the desk and win their last 5 video games.
Last document: 9-8, 5-1 in division
RAVENS
Remaining opponents: Steelers (Win), at Bengals (Loss), Patriots (Loss), at Packers (Win), at Steelers (Win)
What has to occur: The Bengals want the Ravens to go 3-2 (or worse) over their last 5 video games. For the reason that Bengals have to brush the Ravens, that implies that Cincinnati solely wants Baltimore to lose one different recreation on the schedule, so to illustrate they lose to the Patriots. We even have the Ravens splitting their two video games with the Steelers.
Last document: 9-8, 4-2 in division
STEELERS
Remaining opponents: Payments (Loss), at Ravens (Loss), Dolphins (Win), at Lions (Loss), at Browns (Win), Ravens (Win)
What has to occur: The Steelers have a brutal schedule down the stretch, so it is not completely unrealistic to see them going 3-3 down the stretch. They’re an underdog to the Payments and so they’ll seemingly be an underdog to the Lions. In the event that they lose each of these video games and break up with the Ravens, that can put them at 9-8.
Last document: 9-8, 4-2 in division
Like I mentioned on the high, there’s solely a 2% probability of the Bengals moving into the playoffs, so please cue the Lloyd Christmas meme.
Burrow led the Bengals to a 2-0 document to begin the season earlier than lacking 9 video games as a result of a turf toe damage and the workforce went simply 1-8 in his absence. The Bengals star quarterback was initially anticipated to return in mid-December, however he defied the percentages by making an early return, and now he’ll be seeking to defy the percentages as soon as once more by main the Bengals to an unbelievable playoff berth. He obtained the primary win out of the best way on Thanksgiving evening, and now, he simply must win the Bengals to 5 extra.
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