NFL Week 14 picks: Why we like Browns, Bengals and Eagles
Lorenzo Reyes is back with his best bets for Week 14 games. He explains why he likes Browns, Bengals and Eagles.
The Cincinnati Bengals have seen this movie before.
In fact, it was only a year ago that Zac Taylor’s team needed to essentially run the table for a potential postseason spot. One year later, they are in the same position with the deck stacked against them.
Despite a 4-8 record entering Week 14, the Bengals know they have to keep winning to have a chance. It’s the classic, “control what you can control” concept. On the bright side for Cincinnati, Joe Burrow is back under center and gives the team a reason to believe.
The Bengals have won eight straight games when Burrow starts. That includes five straight to end the 2024 season, when Cincinnati won out to finish at 9-8 and just miss the playoffs. Perhaps there is some better luck on the way for Burrow’s Bengals in 2025, considering the state of a wide-open race in the AFC.
Cincinnati’s push to the playoffs continued in Week 14 with a stop in Buffalo to battle the Bills. Here’s a look at the Bengals playoff chances, remaining schedule and overall AFC playoff picture:
Bengals playoff odds
The Bengals have an estimated 1% chance to make the playoffs after losing to the Buffalo Bills in Week 14, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
Their chances would’ve improved to 8% with a win.
The Bengals are currently third in the AFC North and in possession of the 12th seed in the AFC, meaning they have plenty of work to do going forward.
It would take a miracle for Cincinnati to make the postseason now. They entered the week with no margin for error. After the loss, that is certainly out of the picture now. The Bengals will have to win out and get plenty of help along the way.
Bengals remaining schedule
The Bengals will face the NFL’s fourth-easiest schedule the remainder of the season, per Tankathon. They won’t have another game against a team with a winning record, but they do have two more contests against divisional opponents.
The Bengals remain in third place in the AFC North after Week 14:
- Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
- Baltimore Ravens (6-7)
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-9)
- Cleveland Browns (3-9)
- New England Patriots (11-2; AFC East leaders)
- Denver Broncos (10-2; AFC West leaders)
- Jacksonville Jaguars 9-4, AFC South leaders)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6; AFC North leaders)
- Buffalo Bills (9-4, wild card No. 1)
- Los Angeles Chargers (8-4, wild card No. 2)
- Indianapolis Colts (8-4; wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Houston Texans (7-5); Kansas City Chiefs (6-6); Baltimore Ravens (6-7); Miami Dolphins (6-7); Cincinnati Bengals (4-9); Cleveland Browns (3-9)
Eliminated: Las Vegas Raiders (2-10); Tennessee Titans (1-11), New York Jets (3-10)
