The Cleveland Browns (3-11) are an underdog by 9 points as they try to end a three-game slide in a matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) on Sunday, December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.NFL odds

At 6-8, it kind of feels like their season is over, but it's NOT, and that's because they could still make the playoffs.  Thanks to their 38-27 win over the Titans in Week 15, the Bengals are still alive for a playoff spot.

The Cincinnati Bengals have a very slim chance of sneaking into the playoffs based on the early Week 16 results. Granted, the Bengals need some serious help in addition to winning the rest of their games.

The Bengals (6-8) are coming off consecutive road wins at Dallas and Tennessee. The Browns (3-11) have dropped three straight and are making another quarterback change. On Wednesday, coach Kevin Stefanski announced Dorian Thompson-Robinson as the new starting quarterback after Jameis Winston was benched during a 21-7 loss to Kansas City last weekend.

Despite the disappointing nature of their 2024 season, the Cincinnati Bengals still have a path to make the playoffs over the final three weeks of the campaign. Here's what the Bengals need to do, and what they need from other teams in order to make the postseason.

The Cincinnati Bengals kept their playoff hopes alive after a wild and weird 37-27 win over the Tennessee Titans that was full of penalties and turnovers. The Bengals now sit at 6-8 and face another must-win situation Sunday against the Browns if they want to play meaningful football in Week 17,