{"id":257485,"date":"2025-12-04T14:00:57","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T19:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=257485"},"modified":"2025-12-04T14:00:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T19:00:57","slug":"the-bengals-playoff-path-is-clear-heading-into-week-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/12\/04\/the-bengals-playoff-path-is-clear-heading-into-week-14\/","title":{"rendered":"The Bengals Playoff Path is Clear Heading Into Week 14"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two weeks ago, there were rumblings that the Cincinnati Bengals would bring back Joe Burrow<\/a> from his injury. At the time, it seemed foolish. Regardless, Burrow proved that he’s the leader of the franchise, worked back from a Grade 3 Turf Toe injury that required surgery, and upset the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving. Before that game, tanking for a generational defender in next year’s draft looked like the plan. Now, despite being 4-8, there is a legitimate path to the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Of course, the Bengals better win out and make the playoffs, or else they could risk falling to the middle of the round and miss out on the cream of the crop prospects. It has to be worth it.<\/p>\n

Even then, there is a path to the playoffs for the Bengals. It’s a slim path, but there is a path nonetheless.<\/p>\n

The Bengals’ Playoff Path is Clear Heading Into Week 14<\/h2>\n
\"Cincinnati
Bengals DJ Turner II (20) celebrates with his team after catching an interception during their game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on Sunday September 7, 2025. The Bengals won the game with a final score of 17-16.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Step 1: Win Out<\/h3>\n

There is a path to the playoffs if the Bengals drop one of the final five games (ideally, not a divisional matchup). However, it gets significantly more squirrelly. The easiest path requires the Bengals to win out.<\/p>\n

The final five weeks for the Bengals are:<\/p>\n