So, as a Cincy fan, my main question after Thanksgiving was, can the Cincinnati Bengals still make the 2025 NFL Playoffs? The short answer is, yes. The Cincinnati Bengals are still mathematically alive for the 2025 NFL playoffs after their 34-27 Thanksgiving upset over the Baltimore Ravens. At 4-8, the odds are kinda like the Dumb and Dumber movie(currently 5-7% across major models), but Joe Burrow just reminded the league that this team is far from dead.
Here’s exactly what the Bengals need to pull off one of the biggest late-season runs in recent NFL history.
Current Bengals Playoff Odds (December 2, 2025)
| Source | Playoff Probability | Division Title Odds | Notes |
| The Athletic / DVOA | 6.8% | 11% | Highest among analytics models |
| ESPN FPI | 5.2% | 9% | |
| NFL Next Gen Stats | 4.9% | 8% | |
| DraftKings Sportsbook | +2000 (≈4.8% implied) | +1800 | Current betting market |
Can the Cincinnati Bengals Still Make the 2025 NFL Playoffs?
So, this is the question right? Can the Cincinnati Bengals still make the 2025 NFL Playoffs? When you checkout our recent 2025 NFL Playoff picture article, you’ll see yes, yes they can 🙂
The Only Realistic Path: Win the AFC North
A wild-card spot is effectively impossible at this point.
The only viable path is winning the AFC North and taking the No. 4 seed.
AFC North Standings (through Week 13)
| Team | Record | Games Back | Remaining Divisional Games |
| Baltimore Ravens | 7-5 | — | @ CIN, vs PIT |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 6-6 | 1 | @ BAL, vs CLE |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 4-8 | 3 | vs BAL, @ CLE |
| Cleveland Browns | 3-9 | 4 | @ PIT, vs CIN |
The Bengals are currently 2-1 in the division (beat Baltimore once, split with Pittsburgh). If all three teams finish 9-8, the tiebreaker would come down to conference record or strength of victory. These are the scenarios where Cincinnati still has a realistic shot.
The Bengals’ Magic Number Scenario
Cincinnati must go 5-0 the rest of the way and finish 9-8.
Then the Ravens and Steelers both need to lose at least three of their final five games.
Bengals Remaining Schedule (Weeks 14-18)
| Week | Opponent | Record | Spread (12/2) | Win Probability (FPI) |
| 14 | at Buffalo Bills | 8-4 | CIN +5.5 | 38% |
| 15 | Baltimore Ravens | 7-5 | CIN +3 | 48% |
| 16 | at Miami Dolphins | 5-7 | CIN -2.5 | 55% |
| 17 | Arizona Cardinals | 3-9 | CIN -4 | 68% |
| 18 | at Cleveland Browns | 3-9 | CIN -8 | 78% |
Every game is a must-win. One loss almost certainly ends the dream.
Key Games to Root For (Weeks 14-15)
- Ravens @ Giants → Root for the upset
- Steelers vs Bills → Root for Buffalo
- Bengals vs Ravens (Week 15) → Obviously win
- Steelers @ Eagles → Root for Philly
Bottom Line: 2025 Bengals Playoff Checklist
- Bengals win out → 9-8
- Ravens finish no better than 9-8
- Steelers finish no better than 9-8
- Win the three-way tiebreaker (conference record / SOV)
If Cincinnati beats Buffalo on Monday Night Football in Week 14, their playoff odds jump from ~6% to 25-30% overnight (per The Athletic live model).
The Bengals are the ultimate longshot right now — but with Joe Burrow playing MVP-level football, crazier things have happened.
Who Dey think gonna beat them five straight?
2025-26 NFL Regular Season and Postseason Schedules
As we move through the 2025-26 NFL regular season, you can also get the 2025-26 NFL schedule grid here for all 18 weeks. For those already ready to checkout the 2025-26 NFL Playoff and Super Bowl bracket, we have a blank one (for now) up here for you too. Then of course, those Bengals fans who want to check out the schedules for next season, we’re working on the 2026-27 NFL schedules for you now too.
