Steelers vs Bengals

[GMDino]

The only team that needs the Jets to lose a game...is the Bengals. Especically if the Bengals can't win with their back up QB.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25414477/heres-how-the-bengals-could-still-miss-the-playoffs

Quote:Cincy is probably going to make the playoffs -- SportsLine's projections give them a 99.8 percent chance of getting in -- but they are not definitely going to make the playoffs. There's a Lloyd Christmas chance of them falling apart down the stretch.

So how could this unlikely scenario shake out for the Bengals? Four things have to happen.

Bengals Lose Out: They need to lose out first of all. This is actually the least likely scenario, with Cincy getting both the 49ers and Ravens in their final three games. However, the Bengals are on the road at San Francisco (SportsLine projects Cincy winning 64 percent of the time) this week which doesn't make it a gimme.

They get the Broncos on the road the following week, certainly a losable game. And even if Jimmy Clausen is starting at three positions for Baltimore in Week 17 you have to think John Harbaugh is going to get his team amped for a divisional game.

Steelers Win Out: The Steelers are rolling on offense right now, giving this a reasonable chance of happening (they also are keenly aware they could need to win out just to make the postseason). Denver at home isn't a freebie, although it's about the same as Cincy at San Fran, with SportsLine giving the Steelers an outright win 67 percent of the time. Road games against the Ravens and Browns should be wins provided full health for Ben Roethlisberger. Entirely plausible situation here.

Chiefs Win Out: This feels ... likely? Ten games in a row. Why not? Kansas City gets the Ravens on the road (SportsLine projects them winning 64 percent of the time) and then the Browns and Raiders at home. KC isn't some high-powered juggernaut, but it feels like it's going to close out the year with double-digit wins.

Jets Win Out: And this is the least likely? Mainly because you can't trust the Jets to close out the season on a six-game win streak including a victory over the Patriots. They do get the Cowboys this week (SportsLine projects them to win 68 percent of the time) and the Patriots game is at home, so maybe there's a shot against Rex Ryan in the final week for the Jets to win 11 games. Feels unlikely but certainly not improbable.