What Are the Bengals Playoff Chances?
The Bengals' playoff chances are 6.3%, below the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. Cincinnati was the AFC North favorite prior to the start of the season. In the table below, I've listed Cincinnati's chances to make the postseason, as well as some other relevant data to provide further context. For this particular chart's data, I used ESPN BET Ohio.
| ⭐ Bengals Playoff Chances | 6.3% chance |
| ⛔ Bengals Miss Playoffs | 93.7% chance |
| 👑 Bengals Win Super Bowl | 0.7% chance |
| 🏆 Bengals Win AFC | 0.7% chance |
| 🔥 Bengals Win AFC North | 0.3% chance |
| ✅ Data Last Verified by Expert | December 1, 2023 |
I figured out the Bengals' playoff picture using the implied probability of the team's odds to make the postseason. You'll find playoff odds for every NFL team posted by the top Ohio sportsbooks. Converting the Bengals’ current odds of +1500 to make the playoffs provided the 6.3% chance highlighted above. They were at -255 and 72% before the season's start.
The Bengals sit with the worst odds to win the AFC North. They have won the title in two consecutive seasons and are in a tough division with every other team above .500. The Ravens are the favorite at -350. The Steelers are in second place at +550, and the Browns sit third at +600. Baltimore is highly expected to sit atop the AFC North when the season ends. That said, the Bengals have a 0.3% chance to win the division now and a 0.7% chance to reign supreme over the entire conference. The Bengals are tied for the 21st-best odds to win the Super Bowl at 0.7%.
Bengals Week-by-Week Playoff Chances
The Bengals currently have +1500 odds (6.3% implied probability) to make the playoffs in 2023, per ESPN BET.
| ↔️ Preseason | 72% chance (-245) |
| ⬇️ After Week 1 | 66.7% chance (-200) |
| ⬇️ After Week 2 | 50% chance (-110) |
| ↔️ After Week 3 | 50% chance (-110) |
| ⬇️ After Week 4 | 33.3% chance (+200) |
| ⬆️ After Week 5 | 36.4% chance (+175) |
| ⬆️ After Week 6 | 41.7% chance (+140) |
| ⬇️ After Week 7 | 40% chance (+150) |
| ⬆️ After Week 8 | 60% chance (-150) |
| ⬆️ After Week 9 | 75% chance (-300) |
| ⬇️ After Week 10 | 58% chance (-140) |
| ⬇️ After Week 11 | 15.4% chance (+550) |
| ⬇️ After Week 12 | 6.3% chance (+1500) |
Bengals Schedule and Betting Lines
| 📅 Week 1 at Cleveland Browns | Bengals (0-1) lose 24-3 |
| 📅 Week 2 vs. Baltimore Ravens | Bengals (0-2) lose 27-24 |
| 📅 Week 3 vs. Los Angeles Rams | Bengals (1-2) win 19-16 |
| 📅 Week 4 at Tennessee Titans | Bengals (1-3) lose 27-3 |
| 📅 Week 5 at Arizona Cardinals | Bengals (2-3) win 34-20 |
| 📅 Week 6 vs. Seattle Seahawks | Bengals (3-3) win 17-13 |
| 📅 Week 7 | BYE |
| 📅 Week 8 at San Francisco 49ers | Bengals (4-3) win 31-17 |
| 📅 Week 9 vs. Buffalo Bills | Bengals (5-3) win 24-18 |
| 📅 Week 10 vs. Houston Texans | Bengals (5-4) lose 30-27 |
| 📅 Week 11 at Baltimore Ravens | Bengals (5-5) lose 34-20 |
| 📅 Week 12 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | Bengals (5-6) lose 16-10 |
| 📅 Week 13 at Jacksonville Jaguars | Bengals +8, ML +310 |
| 📅 Week 14 vs. Indianapolis Colts | Bengals -9, ML -410 |
| 📅 Week 15 vs. Minnesota Vikings | Bengals -5, ML -205 |
| 📅 Week 16 at Pittsburgh Steelers | Bengals -2.5, ML -130 |
| 📅 Week 17 at Kansas City Chiefs | Bengals +3, ML +135 |
| 📅 Week 18 vs. Cleveland Browns | Bengals -3.5, ML -175 |
| ✅ Data Verified by Expert | December 1, 2023 |
The Cincinnati Bengals do not have an easy schedule this season as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Cleveland Browns (the three other teams in the AFC North) are all expected to contend for a postseason spot. The Sharp Strength of Schedule indicator has the Bengals with the 20th-easiest strength of schedule.
Cincinnati Bengals Playoff Chances: Key Offseason Updates December 2023
To keep Bengals fans with the most up-to-date information this offseason, I am tracking breaking news and developments impacting the Bengals' playoff chances and then listing them below.
- 🗓️ November 17: The day after a Thursday night loss to the Baltimore Ravens, it's announced that quarterback Joe Burrow will miss the remainder of the 2023 season with a wrist injury.
- 🗓️ November 12: DE Trey Hendrickson, who is having an All-Pro season, goes down with a knee injury. Unknown how long he could be out (could range from weeks to months).
- 🗓️ November 6: Superstar WR Ja'Marr Chase listed as questionable with a day-to-day back injury.
- 🗓️ October 30: Star DE Trey Hendrickson to have ankle injury support, expect to play in primetime Week 9 matchup.
- 🗓️ October 15: Tee Higgins returns from rib injury, records two receptions for 20 yards.
- 🗓️ October 8: Ja'Marr Chase catches franchise-record 15 receptions in Week 5 victory over Cardinals.
- 🗓️ October 1: Tee Higgins suffers fractured rib against the Titans, status unknown for Week 5.
- 🗓️ September 25: Ja'Marr Chase explodes on Monday Night Football for personal single-game record with 12 targets.
- 🗓️ September 18: Browns RB Nick Chubb has torn MCL, is ruled out for the season.
- 🗓️ September 18: QB Joe Burrow has playbook dialed back as calf strain lingers.
- 🗓️ September 7: QB Joe Burrow signs a five-year, $275 million contract extension ($219.01 million guaranteed).
- 🗓️ August 4: LB Logan Wilson gets a four-year, $37.25 million extension.
- 🗓️ July 28: QB Joe Burrow strains his calf in training camp and will consequently miss the rest of camp and preseason.
- 🗓️ April 29: Purdue WR Charlie Jones, Illinois RB Chase Brown, Princeton WR Andrei Iosivas, Michigan punter Brad Robbins, and Miami CB D.J. Ivey are drafted on Day 3.
- 🗓️ April 28: The Bengals select Michigan CB D.J. Turner II and Alabama safety Jordan Battle on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft.
- 📆 April 27: The Bengals select DE Myles Murphy with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
- 📆 April 25: The Bengals pick up QB Joe Burrow's fifth-year option, extending his rookie contract through the 2024 season.
- 📆 April 5: The Bengals sign DE Tarell Basham to a one-year deal.
- 📆 April 3: Reports emerge the team is actively negotiating with QB Joe Burrow on a contract extension.
- 📆 March 30: TE Irv Smith Jr. signs a one-year deal with the Bengals.
- 📆 March 20: Nick Scott is signed to a three-year, $12 million deal to be the starting safety opposite Dax Hill.
- 📆 March 16: The top free-agent available at offensive tackle, Orlando Brown Jr., signs a four-year deal worth $64 million with the Bengals after winning the Super Bowl last year with the Chiefs.
- 📆 March 16: Cody Ford is signed to a one-year with an opportunity to compete for the starting right tackle position in camp.
- 📆 March 14: Bengals extend starting LB Germaine Pratt with a three-year contract through 2025 after Pratt recorded career highs in tackles, tackles for loss, pass-deflections and interceptions last season.
I will continue to add to this list as more Bengals news breaks, so bookmark this page to keep up to date.
Key Contributors Toward Bengals Playoff Chances
There are several big-name talents on the Bengals' depth chart. None are more notable than quarterback Joe Burrow, who heads the team's high-octane attack. Burrow suffered a calf strain to start the season but battled through that. He threw for 300-plus yards against the Bills and Texans but went down in the first half with a season-ending injury against the Ravens. The Joe Burrow MVP odds were at +1000 before his injury. Jake Browning will continue to spearhead the Burrow-less Bengals.
Along with Burrow, the Bengals offense has WR Ja'Marr Chase, WR Tee Higgins and OL Orlando Brown Jr. who all are deserving of a mention. Higgins is in a contract year without an extension finalized, so he will want to ensure he showcases his value this season. Higgins has missed the last several games with a hamstring injury. As for Chase, he has four 100-yard games on the season but managed just 81 yards on four receptions against the Steelers. Chase and Hall of Famer Randy Moss are the only players in NFL history to record 3,000-plus receiving yards and 20-plus receiving touchdowns in his first two seasons, including the playoffs.
Defensively, a few of the most notable names are Trey Hendrickson and Logan Wilson. Hendrickson had 35.5 sacks in his last three seasons and had 13-plus sacks in each of the 2020 and 2021 seasons. As for Wilson, he is coming off his best season in the NFL, totaling 123 tackles and 2.5 sacks, both the highest of his three-year career.
Where Can I Bet on the Cincinnati Bengals to Make the Playoffs?
One can bet on the Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs at any legal sportsbook in Ohio or any legal sportsbook app available in Ohio. Those include DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars and Barstool Sportsbook Ohio. You can wager on several futures for Cincinnati, including to win the AFC North, win the Super Bowl, miss the playoffs, make the playoffs and its win total along with many others.
Looking Ahead: Bengals Playoff Picture
The Cincinnati Bengals have played at Arrowhead Stadium in two straight AFC Championship Games, taking on the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2021, they won 27-24, dethroning the Chiefs. The Bengals lost to the Rams 23-20 in the Super Bowl that season. In 2022, the Bengals lost 23-20 with the game nearly ending on a 45-yard field goal with just a few seconds left by Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker. The Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.
While that may indicate that the Bengals would be able to again reach the playoffs, the loss of Burrow could bring stark change to that. The Bengals did themselves no favors, starting the season 1-3 before bouncing back with four straight wins. They will have Jake Browning at the helm now and hope that he can do enough to get them to the playoffs. Browning played well enough against the Steelers, throwing for 227 yards, to continue to lead the Bengals offense.
The chief concern for the Cincinnati Bengals, other than losing Burrow, in clinching a playoff berth will be their secondary. The offensive line's depth could also play a factor, but losing both safeties and replacing them with a second-year player and a mid-tier starter for a non-playoff team is concerning. In the secondary, Cam Taylor-Britt, who has struggled with injuries will play a huge factor, as will Chidobe Awuzie, who is returning from a torn ACL that he sustained last season.
Do the Bengals Have a Chance to Make the Playoffs?
Yes, the Bengals have a very slim chance to make the playoffs in 2023. While the Bengals' playoff odds have fluctuated quite a bit, it is now very unlikely they make the postseason. Cincinnati has a 6.3% chance to make the playoffs.
Cincinnati was the favorite to win the AFC North prior to the start of the season but now sits at +30000 to win the division, the longest odds of the four teams. It has won the division in two straight seasons and has made it to two straight AFC Championship Games as well. If you plan to bet on the Bengals this season, I highly recommend checking out these Bengals sportsbook promo codes.
Are the Bengals Out of Playoffs?
No, the Bengals are not out of the playoff race yet. Week 12 didn't help their cause, but they may be far from done. They will head to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 13 for a Monday Night Football showdown.
Where Do the Bengals Rank in the AFC North?
The Cincinnati Bengals have the worst odds to win the division, currently at +30000. The Bengals were 1-3 to start the season but have won four of their last six. They were looking every bit of a title contender in wins over San Francisco and Buffalo. Now, they sit at 5-6 with a difficult schedule ahead. The Bengals lost to the Ravens twice this season and are 0-4 in divisional games. As it stands, a $100 bet for the Bengals to win the AFC North would result in $30,000 returned for a total payout of $30,100. It is not a suggested bet.
The Ravens have moved to -350 after a Week 12 win over the Chargers. Baltimore lost starting back J.K. Dobbins for the season in its 25-9 victory over the Houston Texans in Week 1. The Ravens haven't won the division since Jackson's MVP-winning campaign in 2019. They are a strong favorite to finish atop the AFC North.
The Steelers beat the Bengals in Week 12, ending the battle with 400-plus yards for the first time in 59 games. They have moved into the second-best AFC North odds at +550, still a long-shot possibility compared to any other team.
Finally, the Cleveland Browns have looked better than most expected, but losing star back Nick Chubb in Week 2 was a massive blow. They sit 7-4 after losing to the Broncos 29-12 in Week 12. Their odds have dropped to +550 to win the division. The Browns have never won the AFC North. They won the AFC Central in 1989, though.
Where Do the Bengals Rank in the AFC Playoff Standings?
Despite a rougher-than-expected start to the season and the injury to Burrow, the Bengals still have a quality defense and a solid trio of receiving weapons.
The Bengals are still in control of their playoff destiny and have seven games ahead of them. If the season ended today, they would be on the outside looking in.
Where Do the Bengals Rank in the AFC Wild-Card Race?
The season is just 12 weeks in, so most teams in the AFC still has a chance to win their division or end up clinching a playoff berth as one of the three wild-card teams. The Bengals have the longest odds to win the AFC North. They have won it in two straight seasons and started off in 2022 with a lousy 1-3 record as well. Cincinnati, right now, sits outside the playoff spot but is on the bubble.
Can the Bengals Get the No. 1 Seed?
Technically, yes, the Bengals can still get the No. 1 seed. They ended with the No. 4 seed in 2021 and then the No. 3 seed last season. The Bengals were among the favorites this season to win the AFC and earn home-field advantage throughout the playoffs; they have clearly struggled to meet those expectations. Those odds have since dropped, but the talent is still there in Cincinnati.
Who to Root for if You’re a Bengals Fan
If you're a Bengals fan, at almost all costs, root against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. Most Bengals fans have different opinions on who their most-hated AFC North team is, but one should root against inner-division foes. It is also smart to root against the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, as they are expected to be the top contenders for the top spot in the AFC, and those teams losing should open the door even further for the Bengals to be No. 1.
Bengals Postseason Outlook and Predictions
The Cincinnati Bengals have been the best team in the AFC North over the last two seasons and have been among the best in the NFL. They lost the 2021 Super Bowl by just three points after allowing a game-winning touchdown to Offensive Player of the Year Cooper Kupp. The Bengals ended up losing by just three points. In 2022, they again lost by three in heartbreaking fashion as Butker sent them home with a 45-yard field goal. They have gotten so close to bringing home the Lombardi Trophy for the very first time in franchise history.
The truth is that the Bengals have the weapons, coaching staff, experience, and stars to both get back to the playoffs and stay a contending team for the long-term future. With players like Pratt and Wilson locked up, the defense should continue as a strong point for this organization. Without Burrow, the odds are slim that the Bengals will have good enough quarterback play to make it to the playoffs. Burrow did finalize his contract extension, so he will be a Bengal after recovering from his injury. His absence will cripple the Bengals chances.
While it was Super Bowl or bust for the Bengals, it no longer is as Burrow's injury makes the team no longer a Super Bowl contender, unfortunately. The Bengals have a few other focal points to work on this offseason to get back to being one of the best teams in the NFL.
Cincinnati Bengals Playoffs FAQs
The Bengals' playoff chances sit at +1500 according to ESPN BET. That gives Cincinnati a 6.3% implied probability of making a playoff berth and a 93.6% chance of missing the postseason.
No, the Bengals are not out of the playoff race. We are just 12 weeks into the NFL season, so no team is out of the playoffs quite yet. It is unlikely Cincinnati will end up making the playoffs per its current odds.
Yes, the Bengals have a slim chance to make the playoffs. At +1500, a bettor would need to wager $100 to return $1,500 which would be a full payout of $1,600. Those odds are significantly longer than they were to start the season, meaning the chance Cincinnati makes the playoffs is getting more unlikely.
You can bet on the Bengals to earn a playoff berth through most major sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars and many others. You can also bet on them to win the AFC North, the AFC, the Super Bowl and much more.
Author
Nathan, a lifelong Cincinnatian, has covered the Bengals and Buckeyes at various outlets for the last half decade. He is most proud to have attended both wins of the Bengals' 2-14 season in 2019. Nathan is our go-to expert for all things Bengals and Buckeyes.
