Can the Bengals still make the playoffs? Cincinnati's scenarios and brackets explored after 0-3 start

The Joe Burrow-led Cincinnati Bengals have rebounded from a 0-2 start to make the postseason before. However, the team will now need to pull off an even more difficult feat after starting 0-3. Is it even possible for Cincinnati? Here's a look at what Sportskeeda's Playoff Predictor has to say.

Scenario #1 - Cincinnati Bengals make the playoffs

Cincinnati reaches postseason after 0-3 start

According to the Playoff Predictor, Joe Burrow's team will be one of the only teams in NFL history to pull off the near impossible. After starting 0-3, the team will rocket back into the playoff picture to nab the seventh seed in the AFC.

They'll need to go on the road for their entire stay in the postseason, but simply reaching sudden death will be an accomplishment worth celebrating.

Their first game will take place in the Wild Card round against the second-seed Pittsburgh Steelers. To reach the postseason, Cincinnati ended up going 9-8, finishing in third place in the AFC North behind the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.

After starting 0-3, Joe Burrow heats up, going 9-5 over the remaining 14 games. This is somewhat plausible considering the team's ability to rally in the past. Plus, with the team losing two of the three games by a combined seven points, the ball is due to bounce their way in future contests.

Scenario #2 - Cincinnati Bengals miss the playoffs

Cincinnati Bengals miss the 2024 playoffs

In a second simulation using Sportskeeda's Playoff Predictor, Cincinnati does what most 0-3 teams have done in NFL history, missing the playoffs. The Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders and Jets make the final dance in the seventh, sixth and fifth seeds, respectively.

In this scenario, Cincinnati manages to clean up their record, going 7-7 over the final 14 games. However, they fall just one win shy of catching the 8-9 Miami Dolphins, who sneak into the postseason.

That said, they avoid finishing in fourth place in their division in this scenario as well. Deshaun Watson's Browns finish in last place in the division.

The most pivotal loss of the final stretch of games comes in a Week 17 defeat to the Denver Broncos by a score of 30-27. While the Bengals manage to finish the season on a positive note by defeating the Steelers in the final game of the year, it isn't enough to extend their year.