Panthers great Luke Kuechly makes feelings known on Joe Burrow's Bengals potentially making playoffs

Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly made some interesting points while talking about Joe Burrow's Bengals' playoff aspirations. He cast doubt on if anybody would want to face this Bengals team in January as they mount a late-season comeback.

The timing is crucial as Burrow and the Bengals have battled back from a dismal 1-4 start to keep their playoff hopes alive with an 8-8 record.

During his appearance on the "Up & Adams" show on Sunday, Kuechly analyzed the AFC playoff picture. His assessment focused particularly on the Bengals' possible matchup against the Buffalo Bills, who have already clinched the No. 2 seed.

"I don't think anybody wants to see the Bengals in the playoffs," Kuechly said. "Well, you look at who they play. They'd be the seventh. So they probably play Buffalo, right? I don't think Buffalo. I don't think anybody wants anything to do with the Cincinnati Bengals."

According to ESPN's power index, the Bengals have an 11.8% chance of reaching the postseason. Their overtime victory against Denver (30-24) on Saturday kept their playoff dreams alive, but the road ahead remains steep.

Joe Burrow's dramatic push for playoff spot

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Cincinnati's path to the playoffs requires three specific conditions. They must defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) in their matchup on Sunday, the Broncos (9-7) need to lose to the dominant Kansas City Chiefs (15-1) and the Miami Dolphins (8-8) must falter in their remaining games.

The AFC playoff picture has shifted dramatically in recent weeks. The Bills' 13-3 record has secured them home-field advantage for at least the first two playoff rounds. This makes them an even more formidable potential opponent for the Bengals.

Cincinnati's four-game win streak entering Week 18 shows their resilience. However, they're now caught in a three-team race for the No. 7 seed, competing with Denver and Miami. The Indianapolis Colts' 45-33 loss to the New York Giants last Sunday eliminated them from contention.

The Bengals' offense has been a bright spot this season behind Joe Burrow's career-best performance. Yet their defensive struggles have contributed to several close losses. Their overtime triumph against Denver proved crucial, keeping them in the hunt for the final wild card position.

This high-stakes scenario adds weight to Kuechly's assessment. The Bengals' final regular season game could determine whether they get a chance to overcome the frailties of their defense.