The Cincinnati Bengals’ playoff odds are as slim as they can get entering Week 15, but Chad Johnson isn’t ready to throw in the towel. The former Bengal defended the team’s 2 percent chance at making the postseason while talking to Shannon Sharpe on Night Cap. And unsurprisingly, Shannon wasn’t having any of it.
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Following the Bengals’ 27-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football, Johnson was feeling confident. He came on the show hot, saying Ja’Marr Chase is going to win the receiving triple crown. Then he claimed Joe Burrow is the best quarterback in the league at the moment and should get some MVP votes.
Last but not the least, he asserted that if the Bengals can sneak into the playoffs, they’re a team nobody would want to face.
“If we happen to go on a run, and for some reason, slither into the playoffs… we are a team nobody is going to want to see, offensively,” Johnson professed.
A bold claim to make, that too without knowing the exact odds the Bengals face. Johnson ended his monologue by asking Sharpe what the Bengals odds are currently.
“The Bengals have less than a 2 percent chance to make the playoffs,” Sharpe responded.
NIGHTCAP WITH UNC AND OCHO IS NOW LIVE ‼️‼️‼️@ShannonSharpe @ochocinco @ShayShayMedia_
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— Nightcap (@NightcapShow_) December 10, 2024
The number baffled Johnson, who probably was expecting better odds. But Ocho tried to make light of the situation, saying it’s actually not that bad. He related “2 percent” to everyday items people use or require — like milk in their coffee or a client’s fee to their agent. But Sharpe retorted saying that agents usually, at minimum, take 10%.
“Okay, I didn’t need you to correct me,” Johnson hilariously responded, getting a chuckle out of Sharpe. It was a classic exchange between the two that showcased Johnson’s everlasting loyalty for his former team.
What’s wrong with Johnson’s Bengals?
Just about everything has gone wrong for the Bengals this year. Before the season, Chase held out of training camp until just days before the first game. That uncertainty got the team off on the wrong foot. However, Chase returned without a deal and has performed amazingly this year.
Still, the beginning wasn’t great, and they lost their first three games to the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, and Washington Commanders.
Since then, they’ve had great wins against weaker teams like the Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, and the Cowboys. However, they also struggled against better competition, with losses to the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburg Steelers, and twice against the Baltimore Ravens.
The main issue has been the defense. They rank 29th in points allowed and the same spot for opposing rushing yards allowed per game. Anytime the Bengals’ offense scores a lot of points, the defense somehow manages to give up even more. Their record in games where they score 30 points or more is 2-4.
If they’re going to make a playoff run, the Bengals will need to stop opposing rushing offenses more effectively and reduce the number of points they give up. However, with just four games left to play and a 5-8 record, their chances are slim.
