A much-needed break for the Cincinnati Bengals is almost over. The team’s bye week came at an opportune point in the season as the development of the playoff picture truly begins taking shape. Nine AFC teams have records between 5-4 and 7-3, and only one division leader is ahead by more than a game-and-a-half.
The Bengals find themselves in the thick of it, but a spot in the postseason is far from a certainty at this juncture. The three wild card spots will be heavily contested, and the AFC North has an 85% chance of belonging to the Baltimore Ravens by season’s end, the same Ravens who beat the Bengals a month ago by rendering their offense inept.