Philadelphia Eagles win: Cincinnati Bengals ahead of Pittsburgh Steelers in playoff race – NFL News
The Cincinnati Bengals with a 34-13 win over the Philadelphia Eagles have put themselves ahead in the playoff race with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets, but the latter two teams still have a clear chance to make the second round.
It is expected now that all three teams will have a clearer picture as far as their playoff opportunity through last wildcard chance from the American Football Conference (AFC) is concerned when the Steelers and Jets play their next games this weekend.
The Bengals could have been through to the second round but they lost their past Sunday game and that brought all the teams neck-to-neck on the points table. The latest victory has again given a better chance to the Bengals than two other teams.
It is pertinent to mention that the Jets lost the playoff opportunity to the Bengals in a similar fashion last year. Bengals then went on to ruin it in the first game versus the Houston Texans – who had made the second round for the first time in their franchise
history.
Amid the latest situation, the Bengals have advantage position because they are better equipped with players at all positions. The Steelers on the other hand have completely depleted offensive line and with young players left to lead them at some of key
positions, it does not serve their purpose very well.
The New York Jets’ picture is not that clear. In fact, some of their fans have already discarded their chance for the second round, although they do have an outright possibility to be through to the playoffs.
Another factor that favours the Bengals at present is that they are riding on the victories momentum and their offensive and defensive lines have returned to their prime forms. This is well reflective in the wide-margin victories they have scored lately.
Also, their competitors – both the Steelers and Jets – have no margin for errors and are under pressure. Since the Bengals are a point ahead of both and with rather relax situation, the Steelers and Jets become prone to committing more mistakes.
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