Let’s be real for a second. Being a Bengals fan lately feels a bit like being stuck in a time loop you didn’t ask for. You know the one—where the hope of a "Joe Shiesty" summer leads into a fall defined by a freak injury, a bottom-tier defense, and eventually, the annual tradition of staring at mock drafts by New Year’s Day.
The 2025 season was supposed to be the "revenge tour." Instead, it turned into a 6-11 reality check. Now that we’re sitting in January 2026, watching the Steelers somehow bumble their way into the postseason at 10-7 while the Bengals are on the couch, everyone is asking the same thing: how can the bengals make the playoffs ever again without everything breaking at once?
It’s not just about Joe Burrow's health, though that’s obviously the elephant in the room. It’s about a roster that has become remarkably top-heavy and a defense that, quite frankly, couldn’t stop a nosebleed for most of the 2025 campaign. If this team wants to see a January game in 2027, the blueprint has to change.
The 2025 Autopsy: What Went Wrong?
Before we talk about the "how," we have to look at the "why." You can't fix a leak until you find the hole.
Last season, the Bengals' playoff hopes basically evaporated in Week 2. When Joe Burrow went down with that turf toe injury against the Jaguars, the season didn't just stumble; it fell off a cliff. The team went a miserable 1-8 while he was on IR. By the time he returned in Week 13 on Thanksgiving, Cincinnati was already 4-8.
Sure, Burrow came back and looked like his usual elite self. He averaged 270 yards and 2.5 touchdowns over those final six games. He even lit up the Dolphins for 309 yards and four scores in Week 16. But the hole was too deep. A Week 18 loss to the Browns—a 20-18 heartbreaker—was the final nail.
The Defensive Meltdown
Honestly, the defense was the bigger culprit. You can't ask a quarterback, even one as good as #9, to win when the unit on the other side is giving up 31.2 points per game. That’s not a typo. The Bengals finished 2025 with the league's worst scoring defense.
- The Pass Rush: Outside of Trey Hendrickson, it was non-existent. Hendrickson is a hero in Cincy, but he can't be the only one getting home. The team ranked 29th in sacks per game.
- The Secondary: With Cam Taylor-Britt on IR and Vonn Bell gone, the back end was a revolving door. Teams weren't just beating the Bengals; they were embarrassing them on deep balls.
- The Run D: They ranked dead last here, too. Allowing Derrick Henry to rumble for 100 yards is one thing, but letting average backs look like All-Pros became a weekly occurrence.
How Can the Bengals Make the Playoffs in 2026?
The path back to relevance isn't a mystery, but it requires the front office to be aggressive in ways they haven't always been. To answer how can the bengals make the playoffs, we have to look at three non-negotiable pillars for the 2026 season.
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1. Protection is a Requirement, Not a Suggestion
We’ve been saying this since 2020, haven't we? It’s getting old. Warren Sharp noted that since 2021, Burrow has been hit within 2.5 seconds of the snap more than any other QB in the league.
The 2025 offensive line ranked 32nd in pass block win rate. Think about that. The most expensive asset in the building is playing behind a literal screen door. To make the playoffs, the Bengals must:
- Use their high draft pick (currently #9 overall) on a blue-chip tackle. No projects. No "high-ceiling" guys who need two years of coaching. They need a Week 1 starter.
- Find a veteran guard in free agency who actually likes to run block. Chase Brown showed flashes of being a 1,000-yard back (he finished with 1,019 yards in 2025), but he did most of that on his own.
2. A Total Defensive Overhaul
You can't keep Lou Anarumo and expect different results if the personnel doesn't change. The 2025 defense was historically bad.
The Bengals need to find a legitimate "Robin" for Trey Hendrickson’s "Batman." Joseph Ossai had 5 sacks and Myles Murphy had 5.5, but they need someone who demands a double-team. If they don't fix the interior defensive line—the spot vacated by guys like D.J. Reader a while back—they will continue to get bullied in the AFC North.
Also, look at the safety position. Jordan Battle had 4 interceptions and 125 tackles, which is great, but the communication in the secondary was a mess. They need a veteran "green dot" leader who can keep the young corners like DJ Turner and Josh Newton in the right spots.
3. Evolving the Scheme
There’s a growing sentiment among NFL analysts that the Bengals' offense is too "static." They run one of the most stripped-down schemes in the league.
Joe Burrow is a genius at the line of scrimmage, but he’s doing it on hard mode. The Bengals rank near the bottom of the league in play-action rate and pre-snap motion. Basically, they line up and say, "Our guys are better than your guys." That works when Ja'Marr Chase is 100% and Tee Higgins is healthy, but when the injuries pile up, the offense stalls.
Integrating more modern "eye candy" and a consistent run game would take the weight off Burrow’s shoulders. Speaking of Tee Higgins—he’s a free agent. Losing him would be a massive blow, but if they do, they have to replace his 11 touchdowns from last year immediately.
The Schedule Factor
One thing that actually helps the Bengals in 2026? The "last place" schedule. Because they finished 3rd/4th in the AFC North, they’ll draw a much easier slate of opponents than the division-winning Steelers or the Ravens.
In the NFL, the difference between 6-11 and 11-6 is often just three or four games against "basement" teams. If Cincy can sweep their non-divisional games against the weaker conferences, the path to a Wild Card spot opens up significantly.
Actionable Steps for the Offseason
If you’re Mike Brown or Duke Tobin, here is your to-do list to ensure the Bengals return to the postseason:
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- Prioritize the Interior: The Bengals got pushed around. They need a massive, space-eating defensive tackle to stop the run. It makes everyone else's job easier.
- Fix the Medical Protocol: Three out of six seasons for Burrow have been derailed by injury. Whether it's the training staff, the turf at Paycor, or just bad luck, they need to figure out how to keep their $200 million man on the field.
- Find a True TE1: Noah Fant was okay (288 yards), but this offense hums when there is a middle-of-the-field threat. A guy like Mike Gesicki was underutilized. They need a mismatch creator.
- Draft for the Trenches: No more "best player available" if that player is a wide receiver. Take the biggest, meanest linemen on the board.
The window isn't closed. As long as Joe Burrow is under center and Ja'Marr Chase is catching passes (he had 1,412 yards last year, by the way), the Bengals are a threat. But the "just get to the dance" era is over. It’s time to build a team that doesn't require a miracle from the quarterback every single Sunday just to stay competitive.