Cincinnati Bengals’ loss against Dallas Cowboys pushes away playoff opportunity – NFL News
The Cincinnati Bengals have ruined an easy playoff chance by losing to the Dallas Cowboys. Although the win was a close-margin one, they certainly have created difficulties for themselves as far as playoff opportunity is concerned.
Given their rivals, the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, lost their games on the weekend, the Bengals’ win could have put them a point ahead of the Steelers (7-6). Now they back are in old scenario.
Their loss has facilitated the Indianapolis Colts to march into the playoffs easily; they just need a win in three games left in the regular season.
Although the Bengals made the playoffs under some similar circumstances last season, it was due to a sheer amount of luck. An unexpected loss by the New York Jets changed the league’s points’ table situation into their favour and they were in the playoffs.
Still, they have an outright chance but need as much luck as they did last year, because once the Colts are through to the playoffs, they can qualify for the second wildcard chance but there are more teams hopeful for the last wildcard opportunity.
Out of the remaining three games, the Bengals have to play one each against the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, their two main rivals from AFC North. If they manage to win these two games, their situation is expected to be even better because their
competitors, particularly the Steelers, will be behind them.
A win or two by the Ravens will take them to the playoffs, and the real competition will be between the Bengals and Steelers. The Bengals as compared with the Steelers can be in a better position because they have been rather consistent so far. The Steelers
made a sluggish start to the season, then won a few games in between to lose a similar number of ties again in the mid of season.
On other hand, the Bengals have consistently won four games before their last loss and with a bit of more consistency they can claim a berth into the second round, which is quite difficult, but not impossible.
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