'It's exciting to still be in it': Joe Burrow ready to lead Bengals in postseason chase
The Cincinnati Bengals (7-8) remain in the playoff hunt after beating the Cleveland Browns 24-6 on Sunday afternoon at Paycor Stadium.
Cincinnati’s next game against the Denver Broncos (9-6) is their biggest game of the season. And for a season that’s not gone how anyone expected, the Bengals being in the postseason hunt with two games to go has brought new life into the walls of the team facility.
Everyone – including quarterback Joe Burrow – knows what’s at stake on Saturday.
“Big game next week puts us in position to make a jump next week,” Burrow said right away in his post-game press conference.
Cincinnati Bengals playoff chances
The Bengals are riding a three-game winning streak and hope to keep it going. In addition to beating the team that currently holds the final spot in the AFC playoff picture, a win over Denver would be the first Cincinnati win against a team with a winning record this season.
If you’re confused about the Bengals this year and wondering what to make of a team that has the NFL’s best wide receiver, an edge rusher with the most sacks in the league and a top-three quarterback, you’re about to find out who this Cincinnati team really is.
“It feels good to play in big games … that’s why we do what we do,” Burrow said. “That’s why we work so hard. Everything I do in the offseason is to put myself in the best position to play great at the end of the year in these big games coming up. It’s exciting to still be in it.”
A common narrative around the Bengals this year is how the team has wasted the excellent seasons from Trey Hendrickson, Ja’Marr Chase and Burrow. Well, the rest of the team now has the opportunity to make it up to those three players and make this season one to remember with a playoff berth.
It will take nearly perfect play from the Bengals over the next two weeks and some outside help to get into the playoffs. Here’s what must happen for Cincinnati to secure a spot in the postseason:
Bengals win out, Broncos lose out and a loss from both the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins any week.
Ja'Marr Chase on Bengals playoff chances
The chances are slim but a win over Denver would make the final week of the season particularly interesting. None of it will matter though if the Bengals don’t beat the Broncos on Saturday.
Chase said the expectation for the Bengals should be the AFC championship game each year. So, you’re not wrong if that’s what you expect from a team with Burrow, Chase and Hendrickson playing at an elite level.
And after a season full of disappointment, the Bengals have a chance to turn things around.
“The standard is the AFC championship; we want to be there,” Chase said. “That’s our standard.”