The Cincinnati Bengals have fallen to the #3 seed in the AFC

by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 7, 2009 3:25 PM EST in Playoffs

In an earlier post, I incorrectly stated that the Cincinnati Bengals were the second seed in the AFC. One reader correctly pointed out that the Bengals have actually fallen to the third seed in the conference. It didn't occur to me that the Chargers would benefit a jump in position after beating the Browns; the team that didn't beat the Lions, who were soundly beaten by the now #3 seed, the Cincinnati Bengals.

If the season were to end, the Bengals would host the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are best known for being the first team to lose to the 2008 Cincinnati Bengals.

How could beating the Browns help the Chargers leapfrog the Bengals? It's actually simple. Since the Bengals and Chargers have identical records, then you have to go through the gauntlet of tie-breaking scenarios.

Since the Bengals and Chargers haven't meant, the tie-breaker that would apply here is record within the conference. The Bengals are 6-3 against the AFC. The Chargers are 7-3.

Of course, none of this really matters because the Chargers and Bengals meet on December 20, which would be the only tie-breaker needed if both squads finish with identical records.

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Peko is going to be out

at least until the season finale, according to bengals.com.

That’s a pretty big loss, for the two tough games upcoming.

The Bengals control their own destiny. Hopefully they’ll do better than 2006, with Mr Franchise kicker missing the potential playoff berth winning field goal from 39.

by occams_tiger_teeth on Dec 7, 2009 3:42 PM EST reply actions

(gonna steal an older post of mine)

we could lose next week and the chargers could win, vice versa, we could both lose or both win.

Nothing that happens this week matters – except injuries of course. The Bengals absolutely have to have their sights on San Diego.

If they want a BYE in the playoffs, they must beat the Chargers. They’re neck-and-neck with each other right now, and with Indy at 12-0, and New England at 7-5, this #2 Seed is btwn the Bengals and the Chargers, period.

3 yards and a pile of dust

by Hudepohl Dey on Dec 7, 2009 3:53 PM EST reply actions

RE:

Plus a second seed would help us avoid the Colts at least until the championship game, if we make it that far. The Colts have simply owned us.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 7, 2009 4:13 PM EST up reply actions

we used to be a poor-man’s version of the Colts though. I think this variation of the Bengals are more in line with what the Colts typically struggled with come play-off time (namely run-first stout Ds like the “classic” Pittsburgh and the Chargers). That said, i really want to avoid the colts just because they will be playing in a dome and the best bet against the Colts is playing them in cold weather conditions.

I was split about what would help us most > extra week off or extra game to build momentum. But with Peko out i think if we can squeeze any extra resting time for him (and Benson and Scott) then we have a higher chance at progressing.

Chargers game looks massive… worried about our inability to win against non-AFC North AFC teams. Marvin Lewis got the plan right when he said he would make the Bengals all about winning AFC North football… he just forgot you have to beat other AFC teams too.

by Sheffieldbengal on Dec 7, 2009 7:15 PM EST up reply actions

More bad news

The statheads over at Football Outsiders have us being 15th overall in team efficiency. Surprisingly, the passing offense is rated 7th while the rushing offense is rated 14th. Defense is rated 17th.

by MrBungle on Dec 7, 2009 4:43 PM EST reply actions

the most important game remaining is the Chargers

The Chargers only have 2 AFC games left. Us and Tenn, while we have 3. them, KC, and NYJ. We could loose to them and still get the #2 spot, but we would have to end up with a better overall record. That isn’t impossible since they also play Dallas and the Skins that just gave the Saints a scare. A win over SD sure would make it more simple but it isn’t the only way to get there. Just to keep it nice and complicated, if the Chargers drop 2 games that could let the Broncos back in. We already lost that tiebreaker, so that would suck. they have colts, raiders eagles, cheifs and they are only 1 game back of the Chargers. So yeah, the Chargers game is huge but the idea that “nothing that happens this week matters” is not true. Remember, first determining factor is the win-loss record. I’m rooting for that 4-0 last quarter of a season.

by steve whodey on Dec 7, 2009 7:55 PM EST reply actions