How Does a Chargers Win Impact the Bengals’ Playoff Chances?
A case could be made that the Bengals’ path to the playoffs is somewhat simpler if the Chargers beat the Broncos. While it means that the Bengals cannot get past the Chargers to a playoff spot, it leaves the Broncos very much in the crosshairs, with the Bengals facing Denver in Week 17.The Chargers would not be assailable for the Bengals, as the Chargers could not finish with a worse conference record than the Bengals, and they have a head-to-head tiebreaker advantage. Therefore, there is no scenario where the Bengals could jump the Chargers in a tiebreaker situation.
Rather than relying on the Patriots and Raiders to tie with or beat the Chargers, as they would need if the Broncos had won on Thursday Night Football, the Bengals may feel a little more in control of their destiny now that Los Angeles won. The Broncos also have a game with the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18, which could be very tough if the Chiefs are fighting for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
The Broncos come out of Thursday Night Football at 9-6 with the loss. If they were to then lose to the Bengals and Chiefs, they would slide to 9-8, and the Bengals would have a chance to tie them if they win both of their other games. The Bengals would then have a head-to-head advantage over the Broncos in a two-team tiebreaker and a better conference record in the event of a multi-team tiebreaker (6-6 vs. 5-7).
That would result in the Bengals finishing above the Broncos in any tiebreaker scenario at 9-8 and could be enough to secure a playoff spot. That feels a more likely route than relying on the Chargers failing to beat either of the Patriots and Raiders in the final two weeks.
The only potential complications are the Colts and Dolphins, who could yet put a fly in the ointment for the Bengals. If the Colts and/or Dolphins also win their remaining three games and get to 9-8, they both have tiebreaker advantages over the Bengals. Neither has played the Bengals, so it comes down to conference record, and both of those teams would have a 7-5 conference record if they finish 9-8.
With the Chargers win on Thursday Night Football, the Bengals’ only route to the playoffs involves them winning out, the Broncos losing in Week 18, and both the Dolphins and Colts failing to get to nine wins.
It was over (14-0) because of the Bills swiss cheese D which you claim is soooooo much better than the Bengals. Make up your mind! LOL
Keep clinging to those rare fading memories. Bills were shell shocked by the whole Damar crap, cancers like Diggs and Daboll were still around etc. Very, very unusual circumstances.
Allen's playoff performances/stats are just as good if not better than the regular season. And although Allen is already the NFL's undisputed MVP, this year he really looks like he's ready to take it to another level in the playoffs.
You'll see.
Keep clinging to those rare fading memories. Bills were shell shocked by the whole Damar crap, cancers like Diggs and Daboll were still around etc. Very, very unusual circumstances.
Allen's playoff performances/stats are just as good if not better than the regular season. And although Allen is already the NFL's undisputed MVP, this year he really looks like he's ready to take it to another level in the playoffs.
You'll see.
And you accuse others of making excuses lolololol
lol Bills got an unearned home playoff game out of it. The NFL bent to the Bills and they still couldn’t get it done
At least if they play the Bengals this year the Bills would have the chance to beat a quality playoff QB for the first time in 4 years
Haven’t beaten one since Lamar was half-injured , only win over a quality QB in the Josh Allen era
No excuses, I'm just warning you not to expect those rosy circumstances again, assuming you're rooting for Allen to fail as always.
Every Bills-Chiefs playoff game was decided at the buzzer... could have gone either way. I think the Chiefs are a better matchup than Ravens, so 2nd seed is ideal for the Bills.
Another problem Josh Allen does NOT have, getting sacked!
JoeyB in the SuperBowl: 7 sacks!
JoeyB in the 2022 postseason: 19 sacks, the most for any QB in the playoffs ever!
Moms and dads, hide the kids or cover their eyes and ears...
Viewer discretion advised: this is ugly
Sheriff Joe football!
Burrow gonna Burrow..
JoeyB in the SuperBowl: 7 sacks!
JoeyB in the 2022 postseason: 19 sacks, the most for any QB in the playoffs ever!
Moms and dads, hide the kids or cover their eyes and ears...
Viewer discretion advised: this is ugly
Sheriff Joe football!
Burrow gonna Burrow..
