Bengals' Path in AFC North Becomes Clearer After Latest News About Division Rival

The Bengals are 4-9 this season and 3-1 in the AFC North.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) chases down Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the first half of an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Sept. 7, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — The Bengals have to win their final four games to keep their slim playoff chances alive.

That would include sweeping Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. They also need to sweep the Cleveland Browns.

The Bengals' playoff picture is crystal clear following Sunday's loss to the Bills and the news that came out of Cleveland on Monday.

Rookie quarterback Shadeur Sanders will be the Cleveland Browns starter for the remainder of the 2025 season. Sanders threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns in the Browns' 31-29 loss to the Titans on Sunday.

That means Sanders will start for the Browns against the Bengals in Week 18. Theoretically, the rookie could stand in the way of Joe Burrow and the Bengals potentially making the playoffs for the first time since 2022.

Playoff Chances

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) heads for the locker room after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 14 game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. The Bills overcame a halftime deficit to win 39-34. | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Cincinnati currently has a 3% chance of making the playoffs. If they win their final four games, they'll have a 27% chance of making the postseason according to the New York Times simulator. That means they need to beat the Ravens, Dolphins, Cardinals and Browns. They'll be eliminated from playoff contention with one more loss.

If the Bengals win out, they'll need the Ravens to lose one of their final three games against the Patriots, Packers and Steelers. They also need the 7-6 Steelers to end the season 1-3. Pittsburgh plays the Dolphins in Week 15, followed by the Lions, Browns and Ravens.

In an ideal world, the Bengals would get the help they need, win the next three games and face Sanders in a "win and in" playoff scenario. It's highly unlikely, but not impossible.

Sign UP For Our DAILY Newsletter for MORE FREE Coverage of the Cincinnati Bengals Delivered to YOU Directly

For more on the Bengals, including thoughts on their ugly loss to the Buffalo Bills, watch the video below and make sure you subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Be sure to check us out on your favorite audio platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio and Amazon. 

Make sure you bookmark BengalsTalk.com for the latest Bengals news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more! We're a one-stop shop for all things Cincinnati Bengals!

-----

Join the 62,000+ Bengals fans that subscribe to us on YouTube.

Follow us on Twitter/X: @BengalsTalkSI

Join the 114,000+ Bengals Fans That Have Liked Our Facebook Page

Subscribe and follow the Locked On Bengals Podcast: the ONLY Daily Bengals Podcast

Follow on TikTok