The Cincinnati Bengals are 3-2 in the 2026 season. In the hunt, currently 8th in the AFC, just outside the playoff line. They have won no Super Bowl in 3 appearances. Their last playoff appearance was the 2022 season and their last playoff win came in the 2022 season.
Cincinnati went 31 years without a playoff win, from the 1990 season to January 2022, and then nearly won it all. Joe Burrow's Bengals won three postseason games in 2021, including the AFC Championship in Kansas City, and lost Super Bowl LVI to the Rams 23-20 on a late drive. A year later they were back in the AFC title game and lost in Kansas City by three.
The Bengals have missed the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, 2023 to 2025, despite strong finishes. Three Super Bowl appearances, three losses: twice to San Francisco in the 1981 and 1988 seasons, then to the Rams. Cincinnati is one of 12 franchises still waiting for a first title.
Where do the Bengals stand in the 2027 playoff race?
| Record | 3-2 (streak W1) |
|---|---|
| AFC seed | No. 8, out |
| Status | In the hunt, currently 8th in the AFC, just outside the playoff line |
| Division record | 0-1 |
| Conference record | 2-2 |
| Point differential | +19 |
AFC North standings
| Team | Record | Div | Conf seed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns | 4-2 | 2-0 | 4 | In today |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 4-2 | 1-1 | 6 | In today |
| Baltimore Ravens | 4-2 | 0-1 | 7 | In today |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 3-2 | 0-1 | 8 |
Bengals schedule and results
2026 season game by game
| Week | Date (ET) | Opponent | Result | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Sun, Sep 13 | vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 33-27 | Fox |
| Week 2 | Sun, Sep 20 | at Houston Texans | W 20-6 | CBS |
| Week 3 | Sun, Sep 27 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | L 27-30 | CBS |
| Week 4 | Sun, Oct 4 | vs Jacksonville Jaguars | L 17-22 | CBS |
| Week 5 | Sun, Oct 11 | at Miami Dolphins | W 31-24 | Fox |
| Week 7 | Sun, Oct 25 | at Baltimore Ravens | 1:00 PM ET | CBS |
| Week 8 | Sun, Nov 1 | vs Tennessee Titans | 1:00 PM ET | CBS |
| Week 9 | Sun, Nov 8 | at Atlanta Falcons | 9:30 AM ET | NFL Net |
| Week 10 | Sun, Nov 15 | vs Pittsburgh Steelers | 8:20 PM ET | NBC |
| Week 11 | Mon, Nov 23 | at Washington Commanders | 8:15 PM ET | ESPN |
| Week 12 | Sun, Nov 29 | vs New Orleans Saints | 1:00 PM ET | CBS |
| Week 13 | Sun, Dec 6 | at Cleveland Browns | 1:00 PM ET | CBS |
| Week 14 | Sun, Dec 13 | vs Kansas City Chiefs | 4:25 PM ET | Fox |
| Week 15 | Sun, Dec 20 | at Carolina Panthers | 1:00 PM ET | Fox |
| Week 16 | Sun, Dec 27 | at Indianapolis Colts | TBD | |
| Week 17 | Thu, Dec 31 | vs Baltimore Ravens | 8:15 PM ET | Prime Video |
| Week 18 | Sun, Jan 10 | vs Cleveland Browns | TBD |
Bengals playoff history
| Super Bowl titles | 0 |
|---|---|
| Super Bowl appearances | 3 |
| Last Super Bowl title | Never |
| Last playoff appearance | 2022 season |
| Last playoff win | 2022 season |
Every Bengals Super Bowl
| Season | Super Bowl | Result | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | LVI | Lost | Los Angeles Rams | 20-23 |
| 1988 | XXIII | Lost | San Francisco 49ers | 16-20 |
| 1981 | XVI | Lost | San Francisco 49ers | 21-26 |
Franchise totals include earlier cities and names.
All Super Bowl results Playoff records
Signature playoff moments: the Freezer Bowl, the 1981 AFC Championship won 27-7 over San Diego in a wind chill of minus 59; Joe Montana's 92-yard drive that beat the Bengals in the final seconds of Super Bowl XXIII; and Evan McPherson's walk-off field goal in Tennessee in January 2022 that sent Cincinnati to its first conference title game in 33 years.
Bengals playoff FAQ
How many Super Bowls have the Bengals won?
None. They have reached the Super Bowl 3 times and lost each one.
When did the Bengals last make the playoffs?
The 2022 season, with the playoffs played in January 2023. That is a drought of 4 seasons entering 2026.
When did the Bengals last win a playoff game?
The 2022 season.
Are the Bengals in the 2027 NFL playoffs?
In the hunt, currently 8th in the AFC, just outside the playoff line. Seven teams per conference qualify: four division winners and three wild cards.
What division are the Bengals in?
The AFC North. Winning the division guarantees a playoff spot and a home game in the Wild Card Round.
Data updated