6 (or 5) games in, the AFC is starting to show that some teams are who we thought they were (Colts, Patriots), and some aren't (Broncos, Titans). Here are the current standings:

New England Patriots    4-2
New York Jets                3-3
Miami Dolphins              2-3
Buffalo Bills                    2-4

Cincinnati Bengals         4-2
Pittsburgh Steelers        4-2
Baltimore Ravens          3-3
Cleveland Browns         1-5

Indianapolis Colts          5-0
Houston Texans             3-3
Jacksonville Jaguars      3-3
Tennessee Titans           0-6

Denver Broncos             6-0
San Diego Chargers      2-3
Oakland Raiders            2-4
Kansas City Chiefs        1-5

As it stands now, there are 5 teams who have played their way out of the playoff conversation (Bills, Browns, Titans, Raiders, Chiefs) although they could also play their way back in (not likely). The remaining 11 are the teams the Bengals need to worry about.

New England Patriots: Appear to be on track toward winning east. No real implications as far as Bengals are concerned

New York Jets: Finally looking like they are using a rookie quarterback, but enough talent on defense to keep them in games. Bengals @ Jets in Week 17 could decide the second AFC wild card.

Miami Dolphins: Very explosive team, but without a head-to-head matchup the Bengals just have to play well in the AFC.

Indianapolis Colts: Same deal as Patriots. Appear to be on track to winning the division, and hold no real implications for the Bengals.

Houston Texans: This is the team that worries me the most. They now have a head-to-head tiebreaker on the Bengals, and are really coming together on offense. They should be in the hunt at the end of the season for a wild card berth, and their victory over the Bengals could loom large.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Very inconsistent team, and nothing about their defense scares me. Probably not a serious contender for a playoff spot.

Denver Broncos: Obviously the surprise of the season. It's actually great for the Bengals that they are doing so well, since it looks like they have the division locked up, and the head-to-head tiebreak probably won't matter.

San Diego Chargers: They won't be able to pull out a miracle division championship this year but could still challenge for a wild card spot. The Bengals go to San Diego in Week 15 for a game that could possibly have playoff implications.

Baltimore Ravens/Pittsburgh Steelers: Obviously it would be great if the Bengals won the division. Unfortunately I think the Steelers will probably be the North division champs this year, so the Bengals will have to be looking for a wild card berth. If the Bengals win coming out of the bye at home against Baltimore, it puts them in very good position within the division.

As far as the Bengals remaining schedule goes, there are 4 games the Bengals "should" win (though we know what happens when we are supposed to win a game). These games come in Weeks 11-13 against Oakland, Cleveland, and Detroit, and Week 16 against Kansas City. All of these games are against the dregs of the NFL, and all but the Oakland game are at home. If the Bengals are going to contend for a playoff spot, they MUST win these games. If the Bengals can win those four games, beat the Chargers and Jets, and win even one more game (preferrably against the Ravens), they basically lock up a playoff spot at 11-5 and tiebreakers over many other AFC wild-card contenders. This allows for losses against Chicago (who I actually think we will beat), at Pittsburgh, and at Minnesota. I'd love to win all of them, but the only game I can see as "winnable" of those three is Chicago. I know it's early, but through 6 games, the Bengals have put themselves in a very good position to make the playoffs this year.