Cincinnati Bengals' Playoff Hopes Rely on Strong Play in a Tough AFC North

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If the Cincinnati Bengals have any hope of making the playoffs this season, they will need to figure out a way to perform better against the rest of the teams in their AFC North Division.

Last season was a season to forget for the Bengals as they finished with a 4-11-1 record. What's even more disappointing is the Bengals finished 1-5 in their division, with their lone win coming off of a 14-0 victory against the Cleveland Browns in Week 16.

The NFL playoffs consists of 12 teams. Six teams from the NFC and six teams from the AFC. Four of the six spots in each conference are for each division winner within the conference. This leaves two spots open for wild card teams in each conference.

Obviously, it is possible for a team to make the playoffs without winning their division. In 2006, the Pittsburgh Steelers became the first sixth-seeded team to win a Super Bowl. The following year, the New York Giants won as a fifth seed.

Both the Steelers and the Giants were able to clinch Super Bowl victories without winning their division. Instead, they were able to make their magical playoff runs as wild card teams. Unfortunately, sometimes clinching a wild card spot can be more difficult than it seems. Just ask any member of the New England Patriots last season, who finished 11-5.

If the NFL playoffs were determined by final standings, the Patriots would have clinched the sixth seed. Since each division winner is guaranteed a playoff spot, the Patriots season ended early and the AFC West Champion San Diego Chargers, who finished 8-8, found themselves in an opening round matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.

Last season was a prime example of how important it can be for teams to get into the playoffs by winning their division. With the level of competition between teams in the AFC, winning the AFC West may be the best way for the Bengals to be able to play in January.

If that's the case, do the Bengals have what it takes to beat the rest of the teams in the AFC West?

Over the last six seasons, 92 percent of the teams in the playoffs had a .500 record or better in division play. The only three teams to make the playoffs with a record below .500 in their division were the Dallas Cowboys (2006), Jacksonville Jaguars (2007), and Philadelphia Eagles (2008). Each team finished 2-4 within their division that season.

So just how tough is the AFC North? For starters, last year's AFC Championship game consisted of the Baltimore Ravens squaring off against their division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers went on to win 23-14 en route to winning Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals. They became the first team in NFL history to win six Super Bowl titles.

If the Bengals want any shot at the AFC North title this season, they need to figure out a way to stop the Steelers and Ravens. Especially after the way these two teams finished at the top of the league when it came to defense.

Last season, the Steelers and Ravens had the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked defense in the league. As far as points are concerned, the Steelers surrendered 13.9 points per game while the Ravens gave up 15.2 points per game.

In the two division matchups last season, the Steelers manhandled the Bengals. In two contests, Big Ben and company outscored Cincy by a combined 65-20. The same can be said about the Baltimore Ravens, who outscored the Bengals 51-13.

Unfortunately for the Bengals, the Steelers and Ravens should be just as good as last year considering their starters stay healthy. Also, let's not rule out the possibility of the Cleveland Browns returning to their same form from two years ago.

In 2007, the Cleveland Browns finished with a 10-6 record and only missed the playoffs because of a tiebreaker with the Tennessee Titans. Derek Anderson had a breakout year at quarterback. Braylon Edwards was emerging as one of the top wide receivers in the league.

Even Jamal Lewis was running at the top of his game like he did a few years ago when he was with the Ravens.

Many analysts expected them to bounce back in 2008 and compete as one of the top teams in the AFC. Instead of another season with the team competing for a playoff spot, the Browns struggled last season and finished with a 4-12 record.

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