We need some help.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ Week 17 clash with the Denver Broncos is hands down the biggest game of the year for both teams. Both are fighting for the 7th playoff seed, with the Bengals in a must-win situation. The Bengals also need Denver to lose their final three games of the season, so a win over them helps double.
The Bengals need some help from other teams as well, so let’s take a look at who we should be rooting for this week.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Pittsburgh Steelers, Wednesday at 1:00 pm on Netflix
Root For: The Steelers
Reason: I know, it feels wrong, but at least it is still rooting against the Chiefs. Pittsburgh winning would make it absolutely necessary for Kansas City to play their starters in Week 18 against Denver, a game the Bengals will need the Broncos to drop. There have been reports that Kansas City won’t rest their starters even if they secure the top seed in Week 17, but to be on the safe side, giving them something to play for against Denver can’t hurt.
Baltimore Ravens @ Houston Texans, Wednesday at 4:30 pm on Netflix
Root For: The Texans
Reason: If Baltimore loses to Houston, the Steelers win the AFC North and secure their home game for the playoffs. If that is the case, Pittsburgh will likely sit their starters in Week 18 against the Bengals. With the Bengals needing to win out, playing the Steelers’ backups would be a big help.
Indianapolis Colts @ New York Giants, Sunday at 1:00 pm on Fox
Root For: The Giants
Reason: Indianapolis losing one game in the final two weeks is part of what has to happen if the Bengals hope to sneak in. New York is in the running for the first overall pick in the NFL Draft, so they likely don’t want to win this game, but an upset in the Meadowlands would get a Colts loss out of the way before they take on the Mac Jones-led Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18.
Miami Dolphins @ Cleveland Browns, Sunday at 4:05 pm on CBS
Root For: The Browns
Reason: The Bengals also need Miami to lose one of their final two games to make the postseason. Miami closes the season with the New York Jets, who are out of the hunt at this point. Getting Miami’s loss out of the way at the hands of our rivals from the north would allow us all a sigh of relief before the last week of the regular season.
Of course, these scenarios only matter if the Bengals take care of business against Denver on Saturday at Paycor Stadium.
