The AFC playoff picture seems pretty clear, as seven teams have the leg up to make the postseason. Still, three teams have a chance to steal a playoff spot with a strong finish, and the Bengals may have the best chance of the bunch.
Cincinnati has won its past three games, the latest a 24-6 victory against the Browns in Week 16. Quarterback Joe Burrow and the rest of the Bengals' offense are doing their best to make a late run, but the defense also stepped up against Cleveland to hold the Browns to just six points.
After Cincinnati's divisional win, here are its updated chances to make the playoffs this year.
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Bengals playoff picture
The Bengals cannot win the division because the Steelers and Ravens have both clinched a better record. Therefore, Cincinnati's only chance to make the playoffs is as a wild-card team.
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture for Week 16
AFC wild-card standings
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 5. | Baltimore Ravens* | 10-5 |
| 6. | Los Angeles Chargers | 9-6 |
| 7. | Denver Broncos | 9-6 |
| 8. | Indianapolis Colts | 7-8 |
| 9. | Miami Dolphins | 7-8 |
| 10. | Cincinnati Bengals | 7-8 |
*Clinched playoff spot*
The Bengals have to fight off multiple teams to make the playoffs. Cincinnati is one of three teams with eight losses on the outside looking in, joining the Colts and Dolphins, but it is a tough task for any of the three teams to overtake the Ravens, Broncos, or Chargers.
Baltimore clinched a playoff spot with a win on Saturday against the Steelers, while the Broncos and Chargers didn't clinch a spot this week. The Bengals need to win out in order to make the postseason, along with either the Broncos losing out, but Cincinnati is helped by the fact that they play Denver in Week 17.
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Bengals remaining schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| Dec. 28 | vs. Denver Broncos | 4:30 p.m. |
| Jan. 5 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | TBD |
Any chance of the Bengals making the playoffs likely requires them to win all their remaining games. After beating the 3-11 Browns at home this week, Cincinnati has to play teams in the playoff picture to close the season.
Next week's game against the Broncos is pivotal in the AFC playoff picture, as Denver can clinch a postseason spot with a win.
Bengals updated playoff chances
According to ESPN's Football Power Index, the Bengals had just a 9.6 percent chance of making the playoffs entering this week, which was better than the Dolphins (3.7 percent) and Colts (2.5 percent). After the Bengals' win and Broncos' loss, Cincinnati's playoff odds have only improved.
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