The Cincinnati Bengals dropped to 3-8 yesterday after a 26-20 loss to the New England Patriots at home.
Quarterback Joe Burrow, who's been out since Week 2 with a toe injury, was rumored to be making his return against New England, but head coach Zac Taylor had him sit out of an abundance of caution.
Even if Burrow makes his return Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens, is there anything for Cincinnati to play for at this point?
Bengals' season predicted to be essentially over
ESPN's Dan Graziano seems to think so, and he wrote about it as such in his Week 12 overreaction column.
"Losing by less than a touchdown to the 10-2 Patriots is nothing to be ashamed of, but the Bengals' season probably reached the point of no return when they blew a two-touchdown fourth-quarter lead to the previously winless Jets in Week 8 and then gave up a winning TD in the final minute against the Bears a week later," wrote Graziano.
"Win those two, and even with losses the past two weeks to the Steelers and Pats, the Bengals would be 5-6 and one game out of first in the AFC North. As it stands, they need to win out, including two games against the surging Ravens, and hope Pittsburgh continues its slide."
Unfortunately, the Bengals couldn't string enough victories together in Burrow's absence to keep themselves afloat.
When he makes his return to the field, it will purely be for his teammates. Cincinnati would need a lot of things to break their way for a playoff path to open up for them.
More Bengals news:
- Bengals predicted to replace Trey Hendrickson with young pass rusher in 2026
- NFL insider reveals Ja'Marr Chase has 'one good argument' to appeal one-game suspension
- Zac Taylor provides injury update on Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco
- NFL insider reveals potential return date for Bengals' Joe Burrow
- Bengals' Trey Hendrickson's game status revealed ahead of Steelers matchup
- Bengals franchise legend urges team to make decision on Trey Hendrickson