3 teams that stand in Cincinnati Bengals’ way to make the playoffs
![Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fstripehype-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2021-2F12-2F1359082252-850x560-462f77cfff04bdd393ec6712af9d28e5.jpg)
1. Baltimore Ravens
When the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens square off in two weeks, it could very well determine who wins the AFC North and as a result, who goes to the playoffs. The Wild Card is still a possibility but the best way to get into the postseason is winning the division, which is still very much a realistic option for the stripes.
It says a lot about John Harbaugh and the Ravens’ coaching staff that they’re still 8-5, leading the division, and continuing to find a way to win games considering all of the injuries they’ve had thrown at them this year. The latest — and biggest — injury to occur is to Lamar Jackson, who exited midway through Baltimore’s week 14 loss to Cleveland.
Jackson did not practice on Wednesday and there’s a realistic chance he doesn’t suit up and play when the Ravens face the Packers this Sunday. Baltimore has a brutal schedule through the final month of the season and that helps the Bengals out, though their schedule isn’t a cake walk either.
If Jackson doesn’t play on Sunday, the Ravens will have a tough time beating the Packers. If Baltimore does indeed lose to Green Bay and the Bengals take down the Broncos, week 16’s matchup will be even more massive.
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These three teams stand in Cincinnati’s way of making the playoffs for the first time since the 2015 season.