NFL Predictions: Bet on 1-4 Bengals to Make Playoffs
- Per NFL betting trends, seven teams have made the playoffs after starting 1-4
- Check out all the weekly and season NFL odds at BetUS sportsbook.
- Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase’s offensive firepower make the Bengals too dangerous to count out just yet.
The Cincinnati Bengals have endured a roller-coaster 2024 season, and with a 4-7 record heading into their Week 12 bye, the odds of making the playoffs might seem daunting. Almost not worth a bet online.
However, history has shown us that midseason slumps don’t necessarily spell doom. In fact, seven teams in NFL history have made the playoffs after starting 1-4 — a club the Bengals could be poised to join in dramatic fashion.
I found the path to a #Bengals playoff berth with one more loss 🤞 pic.twitter.com/9xSbgzC6n4
— JONNY 🏈 (@JonnyBengal) November 18, 2024
At +375 NFL futures odds to make the playoffs, betting on Cincinnati isn’t just a leap of faith but a reasonable gamble.
History Says 1-4 to Playoffs is Worth a Bet
Let’s revisit NFL history: Seven teams have overcome a 1-4 start to make the playoffs, with many doing so in memorable fashion. Some even managed to win playoff games. For example:
- 1992 Chargers: Started 0-4 but finished 11-5, becoming a playoff powerhouse.
- 2011 Broncos: Tim Tebow led them from 1-4 to an overtime stunner against Pittsburgh in the playoffs.
- 2015 Chiefs: Turned a 1-5 start into an 11-5 playoff season, winning a wild card game.
Though none of these teams reached the Super Bowl, they proved that a rough start doesn’t preclude a playoff berth — or postseason glory.
The Bengals have their own history of turning adversity into success. In 2011, they made the playoffs with a 9-7 record despite trading Carson Palmer midseason. That team wasn’t flashy, but it got the job done — a model this year’s squad can emulate.
Me watching the bengals win their next 6 games, just to be one game out of the playoffs and save Zac Taylors job pic.twitter.com/IqlkOAu4A4
— Trevor Vaughn (@Vaughn4_) November 18, 2024
3 Reasons to Bet Bengals Make Playoffs
The Bengals are an enticing NFL prediction at +375 to make the playoffs.
Cincinnati is staring at the same crossroads that the past 1-4 teams have faced. Like the 1992 Chargers and 2011 Broncos, they’ve endured a rocky start but have the talent and schedule to turn things around. Betting on them to make the playoffs isn’t about predicting perfection. it’s about recognizing the favorable conditions for a late-season surge.
Here’s why Cincinnati can reach the postseason.
1. Schedule Sets Them Up for Success
After their Week 12 bye, Cincinnati has a manageable slate, with winnable matchups that could catapult them back into playoff contention:
- Two games vs Pittsburgh: Late-season divisional clashes are brutal, but these are critical opportunities to pad Cincinnati conference record.
- Denver in Week 17: A potential head-to-head tiebreaker game for wild-card positioning.
- Sub-.500 opponents: The Bengals also face three teams with losing records, giving them a clear chance to gain ground.
2. Don’t Count Out Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase
The Bengals’ offensive firepower is undeniable. Burrow and Chase remain one of the most dynamic duos in the weekly NFL news, capable of taking over games single-handedly. Burrow’s ability to make clutch plays and Chase’s explosiveness make it hard to envision this team fading quietly.
Chase, who leads the league with 1,056 receiving yards, is always a weekly option for NFL player prop betting. He also is the third favorite in NFL Offensive Player of the Year odds at +600.
Joe Burrow this season:
– 3,028 passing yards
– 27 TDs
– 4 INTsThe #Bengals are 4-7…
He should be the MVP favorite but instead he’ll likely miss the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/t5L3iO6RMG
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 18, 2024
Touchdown Profits! Bet $200, Get $450 Bonus on first time deposit.
3. Close Games Have Hidden Value
Cincinnati’s six one-score losses this season reveal a team on the cusp of breaking through. These narrow defeats highlight the importance of small improvements in execution — and the potential for big swings in fortune. Despite their record, the Bengals have a point differential of +1 this season.
At +375, my NFL pick on Cincinnati isn’t just a long shot — it’s a smart play. If the Bengals join the 1-4 comeback club, you won’t just have bragging rights — you’ll have a payout to go with it.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets
Question Of The Day
Has a team with a 1-4 start ever made the Super Bowl?
No team starting 1-4 has ever reached the Super Bowl, but seven teams in NFL history have made the playoffs after such a start, with four of them winning at least one postseason game.
