How can the Bengals clinch a playoff berth in Week 18?

The Bengals are tied with the Dolphins a game back of the Broncos for the final playoff berth. We break down how they can clinch a spot in the 2025 NFL Playoffs in Week 18.

After beginning the year with three straight losses, it looked as if the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2024 season would come to a quick end.

But entering Week 18, the Bengals sit at 8-8, with a chance to clinch the final playoff spot in the AFC.

They will need a win and some help, but here is how Cincinnati can get into the playoffs this weekend.

Cincinnati Bengals playoff berth clinching scenarios

So you’re saying there’s a chance ...

The Bengals remain alive in the AFC playoff chase, but they will need a win and some help from around the league to punch a postseason ticket.

First things first, the Bengals need to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night. A loss or a tie against the Steelers eliminates Cincinnati. Complicating matters is the fact that the Steelers do have something to play for in Week 18. Pittsburgh can still win the AFC North, but they would need the Baltimore Ravens — overwhelming favorites against the Cleveland Browns in the early game on Saturday — to lose.

But even if the Steelers are eliminated from winning the division, head coach Mike Tomlin has still indicated that he will not rest his starters against the Bengals. Why? Because the Steelers could fall to the No. 6 seed with a loss of their own, which would mean a trip to Baltimore on Wild Card Weekend. The Steelers can clinch the No. 5 seed, and a game against the No. 4 Houston Texans, with a win over Cincinnati.

Now, assuming Cincinnati wins Saturday night, the job is not done. Because the Bengals need the Denver Broncos to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs (who are resting their starters) on Sunday, as well as the Miami Dolphins to lose or tie against the New York Jets.

Cincinnati Bengals seeding scenarios

The best the Bengals can do is the No. 7 seed. If Cincinnati gets into the playoffs they are locked into that spot, and face a trip to Buffalo to take on the Bills and Josh Allen.

Cincinnati Bengals elimination scenarios

As you might expect, the Bengals face a few different elimination scenarios this weekend.

A loss or tie against Pittsburgh on Saturday night means the Bengals are eliminated.

In addition, a Broncos win or tie against the Chiefs, or a Dolphins win against the Jets, eliminates the Bengals. Both of those games are in the late-afternoon window on Sunday.

AFC standings entering Week 18

1. z-Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
2. y-Buffalo Bills (13-3)
3. x-Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
4. y-Houston Texans (9-7)

5. x-Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, win over LAC)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6, loss to PIT)*
7. Denver Broncos (9-7)*

8. Miami Dolphins (8-8, 6-5 AFC)*
9. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8, 5-6 AFC)*
10. Indianapolis Colts (7-9) — eliminated
11. New York Jets (4-12, 4-7 AFC, win over JAX) — eliminated
12. Las Vegas Raiders (4-12, 3-8 AFC, win over JAX) — eliminated
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12, 4-7 AFC, loss to NYJ & LV) — eliminated
14. Cleveland Browns (3-13) — eliminated
15. Tennessee Titans (3-13, win over NE) — eliminated
16. New England Patriots (3-13, loss to TEN) — eliminated