![Joe Burrow [Left], Chad Johnson [Right]](https://cdn-wp.thesportsrush.com/2025/01/ed902123-untitled-design-324.jpg?format=auto&w=3840&q=75)
For the Cincinnati Bengals to qualify for the playoffs, the path was simple — win their last regular season game against the Steelers, hope the Jets beat the Dolphins, and the Chiefs thwart the Broncos. While the first two scenarios played out as per script, the Chiefs not only lost to the Broncos, but were blown out 38-0.
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It seemed like Andy Reid’s men didn’t even try to win the game, which irked many, including former Bengals player Chad Johnson. Johnson simply couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
After the first half at Empower Field, Johnson took to X for accusing the Chiefs of deliberately losing so that they could keep the Bengals out of the playoffs. At the time of his tweet, the score was 24-0.
I can’t believe the Chiefs are doing this to us so they don’t have see us in the playoffs
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) January 5, 2025
Unsurprisingly, Ocho’s tweet ruffled a few feathers. Some Chiefs fan hit back by pointing out that had the Bengals not lost to undeserving teams, especially the Patriots and the Browns, they wouldn’t have had to rely on other teams to qualify for the playoffs.
This is what happens when you lose to the patriots.
— * a (@StripesAllDey) January 5, 2025
Maybe don’t lose to the Patriots if you want to get in the playoffs.
— Mike Honcho (@MoShady) January 5, 2025
Other Chiefs fans, meanwhile, noted that since losing to Joe Burrow & co. in the playoffs, Reid’s men have won two Super Bowls, while the Bengals have yet to secure their first.
Chiefs won 2 rings since the last time the Bengals beat them. Nobody worried about cincy who struggled beating pitt
— Uncle Glenny (@Maratea20G) January 5, 2025
Even die-hard Bengals fans agreed with the majority, as they let Ocho know how it was their “slow start” that caused this situation.
We did it to ourselves, Ocho. The slow starts have bitten us in the ass.
— EagleFlight – BC, Bengals, Reds (@EagleFlight1001) January 5, 2025
Despite the banter and logical explanations from fans, Ocho couldn’t get over the Chiefs’ performance. His disbelief was so intense that he resorted to asking strangers on the internet to “pinch” him.
Fucking Chiefs at least pinch somebody my goodness this isn’t cool
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) January 5, 2025
From a neutral perspective, the Bengals making it to the playoffs would have been a fitting reward for the insane numbers Joe Burrow has put up this season. However, objectively, Johnson’s former team didn’t deserve to be in the knockout stages.
Consistency is the key for playoff qualification and the Bengals were all over the place this season. Add to this, their inability to finish off games against weaker teams, which translated to an early elimination.
