The Cincinnati Bengals, despite a difficult start to the 2024 season, still have a chance to make the playoffs as the regular season draws to a close. To achieve this, they must defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night. Additionally, the Kansas City Chiefs need to secure a win against the Denver Broncos, and the New York Jets must beat the Miami Dolphins. These conditions make the Bengals’ playoff hopes tenuous but mathematically possible.
The team’s postseason aspirations are remarkable given their rocky start, which included losing four of their first five games. This rough patch seemed to put the season in jeopardy, but the Bengals managed to stay competitive largely due to the stellar performance of quarterback Joe Burrow. His leadership and ability to deliver under pressure have kept the team’s hopes alive, despite significant challenges.
While the Bengals’ defense has struggled for much of the season, Burrow has consistently stepped up, leading the team on a four-game winning streak heading into the crucial Week 18 matchup. His efforts have drawn MVP buzz, though Burrow himself remains realistic about his chances of winning the award. He acknowledged that MVP honors typically go to players from division-winning teams, a situation the Bengals are unlikely to find themselves in this year.
In his fifth professional season, Burrow has delivered his best performance yet, demonstrating remarkable accuracy and efficiency. He has completed 69.8% of his passes, throwing for 4,641 yards and 42 touchdowns with only eight interceptions. With another strong showing on Saturday, he could surpass the coveted 5,000-yard milestone for the first time in his career, further solidifying his status as one of the league’s elite quarterbacks.
Despite the challenges, Burrow’s individual brilliance has been a bright spot in a tumultuous season for the Bengals. His growth and consistency have given the team a fighting chance to salvage a playoff berth, even if the odds remain slim. As the season finale approaches, Cincinnati fans remain hopeful that their star quarterback can deliver one more heroic performance to keep their season alive.
