Why are Playoff Wins Important? Bengals Edition

[*ochocincos*]

To me, these are the tiers of success:

1) Avoid a losing season (8-8)
2) Have a winning season (9-7 or better)
3) Make the playoffs
4) Advance in the playoffs
5) Make conference championship game
6) Make a Super Bowl
7) Win a Super Bowl

So if you're talking about "success," it's relative. Compared to those struggling with 1, 2, and 3, the Bengals have been ahead of the pack. It's when comparing them to those with 4-7 that they start being considered "losers."