Where Bengals stand in playoff rankings after loss to Steelers

The Cincinnati Bengals entered Saturday with a grip on a playoff spot and merely needed to win games and get a little help to make the postseason.

They left it out of the playoff picture.

While the Bengals aren’t completely eliminated from playoff contention, their loss and a Buffalo win later in the night knocked them far down the board:

1. Ravens (11-3)
2. Dolphins (10-4)
3. Chiefs (9-5)
4. Jaguars (8-6)
5. Browns (9-5)
6. Bills (9-6)
7. Colts (8-6)
8. Texans (8-6)
9. Steelers (8-7)
10. Bengals (8-7)

While the Bengals aren’t eliminated, they need wins over the Chiefs and Browns to close the season and some help.

Easier said than done, but that’s life in a stacked AFC when a team goes 0-5 in its division and 3-7 in the conference.