Never too early to watch the standings.
The Cincinnati Bengals kept their hopes alive Sunday, getting a 21-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
The win gave the Bengals not only a much-needed division win but also a desperately needed AFC Conference win if they plan to make it back to the postseason.
Here’s a peek at the current standings if the NFL Playoffs began today.
AFC North standings after Sunday (Week 7):
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)
2. Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
3. Cincinnati Bengals (3-4)
4. Cleveland Browns (1-6)
As of this posting, the Steelers lead the AFC North, but a Baltimore win on Monday Night Football would put them at 5-2 also. Pittsburgh’s four conference wins beats Baltimore’s two, but Baltimore has the only division win between the two.
AFC standings after Sunday (Week 7)
The Bengals still have work to do (and need some help) if they want to capture the AFC North this season, but they are setting themselves up to be in the postseason if they can continue to put together wins.
As of now, here is the AFC Playoff picture, with the Bengals two spots below the final playoff spot.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (6-0)
2. Houston Texans (5-2, 4-0 AFC)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2, 4-1 AFC)
4. Buffalo Bills (5-2, 4-2 AFC)
5. Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (3-2)
7. Indianapolis Colts (4-3, 3-2 AFC)
8. Denver Broncos (4-3, 2-2 AFC)
9. Cincinnati Bengals (3-4)
10. Miami Dolphins (2-4, 2-3 AFC)
11. Las Vegas Raiders (2-5, 2-3 AFC, .385 strength of victory)
12. New York Jets (2-5, 2-3 AFC, .154 strength of victory)
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5, 2-4 AFC)
14. Tennessee Titans (1-5)
15. Cleveland Browns (1-6, 1-2 AFC)
16. New England Patriots (1-6, 1-4 AFC)
A win against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday is a necessity for them to keep pace, but two weeks from now, when the Las Vegas Raiders come to Cincinnati, it is a great opportunity for the Bengals to pick up another win in the AFC.
The Bengals aren’t nearly out of the hunt, but they have a very slim margin for error.