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Bengals' season on the edge
Ravens game Sunday key if Cincinnati has aspirations of returning to NFL playoffs.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
CINCINNATI — Eight weeks deep into the NFL season, it's time to start thinking — and talking — playoffs.
This much is clear: If the Bengals don't shift into a higher gear, they'll be on the outside looking in come Jan. 1.
Extras
Sunday's game at Baltimore is pivotal because so much is riding on the outcome.
What's at stake: A victory ties the Bengals with the Ravens atop the AFC North Division, giving Cincinnati a 3-0 division record and the upper hand in a tiebreaker situation with Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
A loss drops the Bengals two games behind Baltimore with eight to play. Instead of controlling their destiny, the Bengals will need help to claim a second straight division title.
A peek ahead: Advantage, Ravens.
Their remaining opponents have a combined 27-36 record and .429 winning percentage. Baltimore has five home games remaining and it finishes against three 2-5 clubs — a road game at Pittsburgh sandwiched between home games against Cleveland and Buffalo.
The Bengals' remaining foes are a combined 38-25 (.603). Cincinnati has four home games left and closes with brutal road games at Indianapolis (7-0) and Denver (5-2) before hosting Pittsburgh on New Year's Eve.
Playoff breakdown: Twelve teams make the playoffs — four division winners from the AFC and NFC, plus two wild card teams from each conference.
The top two AFC and NFC teams get first-round byes. The other eight play on Wild Card weekend.
Sneaking up: Even though the Bengals and Ravens have separated themselves in the AFC North, don't count out Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
Remember 2005? The Steelers won their final four regular-season games to steal the AFC's No. 6 and final seed, then captured Super Bowl XL with a four-game sweep in the playoffs.
| Edge, Ravens | |
| The remaining eight teams (for nine games) on Cincinnati's schedule have a cumulative 33-23 record, while the rest of Baltimore's foes have a combined 20-30 record. | |
| BENGALS (4-3) | |
| Nov. 5 | at Baltimore (5-2) |
| Nov. 12 | SAN DIEGO (5-2) |
| Nov. 19 | at New Orleans (5-2) |
| Nov. 26 | at Cleveland (2-5) |
| Nov. 30 | BALTIMORE (5-2) |
| Dec. 10 | OAKLAND (2-5) |
| Dec. 18 | at Indianapolis (7-0) |
| Dec. 24 | at Denver (5-2) |
| Dec. 31 | PITTSBURGH (2-5) |
| RAVENS (5-2) | |
| Nov. 5 | CINCINNATI (4-3) |
| Nov. 12 | at Tennessee (2-5) |
| Nov. 19 | ATLANTA (5-2) |
| Nov. 26 | PITTSBURGH (2-5) |
| Nov. 30 | at Cincinnati (4-3) |
| Dec. 10 | at Kansas City (4-3) |
| Dec. 17 | CLEVELAND (2-5) |
| Dec. 24 | at Pittsburgh (2-5) |
| Dec. 31 | BUFFALO (2-5) |
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@daytondailynews.com
