Bengals win on late drive, stay ahead of Jets

The Cincinnati Bengals may look back on this game as the won that got them in the playoffs.

Trailing by as much as 10 late in the third quarter to the Cleveland Browns, the Bengals got some help from A.J. Green with s a 51 yard catch and run to set up a winning field goal as the Bengals won 23-20.

At 7-4, and 1 game ahead of the New York Jets, the Bengals are in position to capture the 2nd and final wild card spot.  That is, if they can win at Pittsburgh next week and then home to Houston who are without starting QB Matt Schaub and now backup QB Matt Leinart.  After that, it’s at St. Louis, home to Arizona and a season ender with Baltimore.

It’s not unreasonable to see the Bengals winning at least 3 of the final 5 games, finishing 10-6.   That would mean the Jets must go 4-1 in their final 5 to tie the Bengals in standings, with tie breakers determining who makes it to the playoffs.