2015 Cincinnati Bengals season

The 2015 Cincinnati Bengals season was the franchise's 46th season in the National Football League, the 48th overall and the thirteenth under head coach Marvin Lewis.

2015 Cincinnati Bengals season
OwnerMike Brown
Head coachMarvin Lewis
Home fieldPaul Brown Stadium
Results
Record12–4
Division place1st AFC North
Playoff finishLost Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Steelers) 16–18
Pro BowlersTE Tyler Eifert
WR A. J. Green
FS Reggie Nelson
OT Andrew Whitworth
DE Carlos Dunlap
DT Geno Atkins
CB Adam Jones
ST Cedric Peerman
Uniform

The Cincinnati Bengals got off to a franchise best start after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field by a score of 16–10, improving them to 7–0. Their winning streak ended in Week 10 with a loss to the Houston Texans in Cincinnati. Later in the season, they clinched a playoff spot for a franchise record fifth straight year. They clinched their second AFC North title in the last three seasons with their Week 16 loss at the Denver Broncos because of the Steelers loss to the Ravens the day before. They lost to the Steelers in the Wild Card 16–18 in what is considered one of the biggest meltdowns in Bengals history.[1][2] This marked the 25th consecutive season without a playoff win for the Bengals. They also became the first team in NFL history to lose five consecutive playoff games in the first round.

2015 was the Bengals final playoff appearance in the Marvin Lewis era, as they entered a period of decline afterwards. They did not return to the postseason nor had a winning record until 2021, where they reached Super Bowl LVI, although they lost to the Los Angeles Rams.

2015 draft class
Main article: 2015 NFL draft
2015 Cincinnati Bengals Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollege
121 Cedric OgbuehiOTTexas A&M
253 Jake FisherOTOregon
385 Tyler KroftTERutgers
99 Paul DawsonLBTCU
4120 Josh ShawSUSC
135 Marcus HardisonDTArizona State
5157 C. J. UzomahTEAuburn
6197 Derron SmithSFresno State
7238 Mario AlfordWRWest Virginia
Compensatory selection 3rd round pick awarded for losing Michael Johnson in free agency.

Staff
2015 Cincinnati Bengals staff
Front office
  • President – Mike Brown
  • Senior vice president of player personnel – Pete Brown
  • Executive vice president – Katie Blackburn
  • Vice president of player personnel – Paul Brown
  • Director of player personnel – Duke Tobin

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams coordinator – Darrin Simmons
  • Assistant special teams/defensive quality control – Robert Livingston
  • Assistant special teams/quality control – Brayden Coombs

Strength and conditioning

Final roster
2015 Cincinnati Bengals final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists
  • 21 Darqueze Dennard CB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 53 Marquis Flowers OLB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 86 James Wright WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve)


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 3 inactive, 10 practice squad

Schedule

Preseason
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 14 New York Giants W 23–10 1–0 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
2 August 24 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 11–25 1–1 Raymond James Stadium Recap
3 August 29 Chicago Bears W 21–10 2–1 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
4 September 3 at Indianapolis Colts W 9–6 3–1 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap

Regular season
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 13 at Oakland Raiders W 33–13 1–0 O.co Coliseum Recap
2 September 20 San Diego Chargers W 24–19 2–0 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
3 September 27 at Baltimore Ravens W 28–24 3–0 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
4 October 4 Kansas City Chiefs W 36–21 4–0 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
5 October 11 Seattle Seahawks W 27–24 (OT) 5–0 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
6 October 18 at Buffalo Bills W 34–21 6–0 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap
7 Bye
8 November 1 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 16–10 7–0 Heinz Field Recap
9 November 5 Cleveland Browns W 31–10 8–0 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
10 November 16 Houston Texans L 6–10 8–1 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
11 November 22 at Arizona Cardinals L 31–34 8–2 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap
12 November 29 St. Louis Rams W 31–7 9–2 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
13 December 6 at Cleveland Browns W 37–3 10–2 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
14 December 13 Pittsburgh Steelers L 20–33 10–3 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
15 December 20 at San Francisco 49ers W 24–14 11–3 Levi's Stadium Recap
16 December 28 at Denver Broncos L 17–20 (OT) 11–4 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap
17 January 3 Baltimore Ravens W 24–16 12–4 Paul Brown Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Postseason
See also: 2015–16 NFL playoffs
Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Recap
Wild Card January 9, 2016 Pittsburgh Steelers (6) L 16–18 0–1 Paul Brown Stadium Recap

Game summaries

Week 1: at Oakland Raiders
Week One: Cincinnati Bengals at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 7 17 9033
Raiders 0 0 01313

at O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California

Game information

The Bengals started their season on the road against the Raiders. They would score first when Jeremy Hill ran for a TD from 3 yards out 7-0 lead in the first quarter for that quarter's only score. They increase their lead in the second quarter when Mike Nugent nailed a 32-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead followed up by Hill running for a 2-yard TD for a 17-0 lead followed up by Andy Dalton finding Tyler Eifert on a 13-yard TD pass for a 24-0 lead at halftime. After the break, the Bengals went back to work as Dalton and Eifert hooked up again this time on an 8-yard TD pass (with a failed PAT) for a 30-0 lead. Nugent put a 35-yard field goal through for a 33-0 lead. In the fourth quarter, it was all Raiders when Backup QB Matt McGloin found Marcel Reese on 2 straight TD passes: from 11 and 9 yards out (with a failed 2-point conversion) for a final score of 33-13.

With the win, the Bengals started their season 1–0. This was the Bengals' first win against the Raiders in Oakland, improving their record at Oakland to 1–10.

Week 2: vs. San Diego Chargers
Week Two: San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 3 3 7619
Bengals 7 7 3724

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

The Bengals' home opener was against the Chargers. In the first quarter, Andy Dalton found A. J. Green on a 16-yard pass for a 7-0 lead. The Chargers would later on score when Josh Lambo kicked a 40-yard field goal for a 7-3 game. They drew closer in the second quarter, when Lambo kicked another field goal from 32 yards out for a 7-6 game. The Bengals moved ahead by 8 when Andy Dalton found Marvin Jones on a 45-yard pass for a 14-6 game at halftime. In the third quarter, the Chargers once again came within a point when Philip Rivers found Stevie Johnson on a 10-yard pass for a 14-13 game. The Bengals pulled ahead by 4 when Mike Nugent kicked a 21-yard field goal for a 17-13 game. In the fourth quarter, Dalton found Tyler Eifert on a 9-yard pass for a 24-13 lead. The Chargers would come within 5 as Rivers found Malcolm Floyd on a 40-yard pass for a 24-19 game. After pressuring the Bengals' offense, the Chargers got the ball back. Though one of Rivers's comeback passes was picked off sealing the win for the Bengals.

With the win, the Bengals improved to 2-0.

Week 3: at Baltimore Ravens
Week Three: Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 7 7 01428
Ravens 0 0 71724

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Game information

After a tough win at home over the Chargers, the Bengals traveled to Baltimore to take on the winless Ravens. The first half was all Bengals: they scored in the first quarter as Andy Dalton ran for a 7-yard TD for a 7-0 lead and followed up in the second quarter when Dalton found Marvin Jones on a 16-yard TD pass for a 14-0 lead at halftime. The Ravens were able to get on the board in the third quarter when Joe Flacco found Steve Smith Sr. on a 50-yard TD pass for a 14-7 game and the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, the Ravens took the lead at first coming within 4 when Justin Tucker put a 21-yard field goal through for a 14-10 game and then when C. J. Mosley returned a fumble 41 yards for a TD for a 17-14 lead. The Bengals retook the lead when Dalton found A. J. Green on an 80-yard TD pass for a 21-17 game before the Ravens went back into the lead when Flacco found Smith Sr. again this time on a 16-yard TD pass for a 24-21 game. Dalton and Green hooked up on the last score of the game: a 7-yard TD pass for the final score of 28-24.

With their 4th straight win over the Ravens, the Bengals improved to 3-0 for the 2nd straight season, and captured their 4th 3-0 start under Marvin Lewis. This was also their first ever 2 game winning streak in Baltimore.

Week 4: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week Four: Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 3 9 3621
Bengals 14 0 15736

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

After a tough win over the Ravens, the Bengals returned home for a game against the Chiefs. They would score first in the first quarter when Jeremy Hill ran for an 8-yard TD for a 7-0 lead. Cairo Santos then put a 22-yard field goal through to give the Chiefs their first score of the game 7-3. The Bengals moved ahead by 11 when Giovani Bernard ran for a 13-yard TD for a 14-3 game. In the second quarter, it was all Chiefs as Santos nailed 3 straight field goals eventually to get within 2 points before halftime: from 40, 51, and 34 yards out for 14-6, 14-9, and the 14-12 score at halftime. The Bengals however got back to work in the third quarter when Andy Dalton found Brandon Tate on a 55-yard TD pass increasing their lead to 21-12. The Chiefs came within 6 as Santos put a 40-yard field goal through for a 21-15 game. The Bengals moved ahead by 14 when Hill ran for a 5-yard TD (with a successful 2-point conversion) for a 29-15 game. In the fourth quarter, the Chiefs moved within 11 as Santos put a 29-yard field goal through for a 29-18 game. The Bengals would pretty much seal the game when Hill ran for a 1-yard TD for a 36-18 game. The Chiefs wrapped up the scoring of the game when Santos kicked yet another 51-yard field goal for the eventual final score of 36-21.

With the win, the Bengals improved to 4-0, their first such start since 2005. The defense also didn't allow a single touchdown (just 7 field goals). They also won their 5th straight home game against the Chiefs.

Week 5: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week Five: Seattle Seahawks at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Seahawks 7 3 140024
Bengals 7 0 017327

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

The Bengals returned home to take on the Seahawks. They would score first in the first quarter when Andy Dalton found Tyler Eifert on a 14-yard TD pass for a 7-0. The Seahawks scored 24 straight points: later on in the quarter they managed to tie it up when Russel Wilson found Jermaine Kearse on a 30-yard TD pass for a 7-7 game. In the second quarter, the Seahawks took the lead as Steven Hauschka nailed a 24-yard field goal for a 10-7 game at halftime. In the third quarter, the Seahawks went back to work as Thomas Rawls ran for a 69-yard TD for a 17-7 game followed up by Bobby Wagner returning a fumble 23 yards for a TD for a 24-7 game. In the fourth quarter, the Bengals would start a reign of 20 straight points: First starting out when Dalton and Eifert hooked up again on a 10-yard TD pass for a 24-14 game followed by Dalton running for a 5-yard TD for a 24-21 game. Mike Nugent then kicked a 31-yard field goal through for a tied game at 24-24. In overtime, Nugent would kick the game winning 42-yard field goal for the 27-24 win.

With the win, the Bengals improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1988.

This win also tied the 3rd largest comeback win in franchise history. It was also the first time the Seahawks had blown a 17-point 4th quarter lead since 2004 against St. Louis.

Week 6: at Buffalo Bills
Week Six: Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 7 10 14334
Bills 7 7 0721

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

With the win, the Bengals improved to 6-0, their first such start since 1988 which would also see them on a 6-game winning streak. This would be their third 6-0 start in franchise history.

Week 8: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Week Eight: Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 3 3 01016
Steelers 7 0 3010

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EST
  • Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 64,750
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Despite the return of Ben Roethlisberger, the Bengals managed to come from behind and win the game 16-10 and achieve a mark of 7-0 for the first time in franchise history.

Week 9: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week Nine: Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Browns 3 7 0010
Bengals 7 7 31431

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

The Bengals defeated the Johnny Manziel-led Browns and improved to a franchise-best 8–0 on the season. Tight end Tyler Eifert caught three touchdown passes from Andy Dalton in the game, as he tied the team record for TDs in a season by a TE (9).

Week 10: vs. Houston Texans
Week Ten: Houston Texans at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 0 3 0710
Bengals 3 3 006

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

The Bengals looked to remain undefeated as they hosted J. J. Watt and the Houston Texans. The Texans' starting quarterback, Brian Hoyer, left the game with a concussion, but recently signed backup T. J. Yates threw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins. Andy Dalton drove the Bengals into Texans territory, but A. J. Green fumbled, sealing the Texans' 10-6 victory over the Bengals.

With the loss, the Bengals dropped to 8-1, and were no longer undefeated, leaving the New England Patriots as the only unbeaten team in the AFC at that point.

Week 11: at Arizona Cardinals
Week Eleven: Cincinnati Bengals at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 7 7 01731
Cardinals 0 7 21634

at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

Game information

The 8-1 Bengals traveled to Arizona to face the 7-2 Cardinals and former Bengals #1 overall draft pick Carson Palmer.

In the first quarter, the Bengals would strike first as Dalton found Tyler Eifert on a 3-yard touchdown pass to give them a 7-0 lead for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, the Cardinals would tie the game when Palmer found Darren Fells from 18 yards out to tie things up at 7. The Bengals would retake the lead as Jeremy Hill ran into the end zone from 2 yards out to give them a 14-7 lead at halftime. In the 3rd quarter, it was all Cardinals, as Carson Palmer found J.J Nelson for a 64-yard touchdown to tie the game at 14. Arizona would take their first lead of the game as Palmer found John Brown from 18 yards out to give them a 21-14 lead. The Cardinals would extend the lead as Palmer found David Johnson from 16 yards out to extend the lead to 28-14. In the fourth quarter, the Bengals would cut into the lead as Hill ran in his second touchdown of the night, this one from 1 yard out, to cut the deficit to 28-21. After a Dalton fumble, Chandler Catanzaro would extend the Arizona lead to 31-21. However, the Bengals would make the game close once again, as Eifert caught his second touchdown of the night, cutting the lead to 31-28. Cincinnati would tie the game 31-31 on a Mike Nugent field goal. However, Palmer and the Cardinals offense went right down the field to get into the field goal range. The most notable part of this drive, and, perhaps, the game, was an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by Bengals defensive tackle Domata Peko. The penalty was for mimicking the count during the huddle. The penalty made the field goal easier, and Catanzaro nailed the game winner from 32 yards out as time expired to end the game.

With the loss, the Bengals fell to 8-2. The loss also dropped them to 0-4 all time against the Cardinals on the road, and 0-3 all time against them in Arizona.

Week 12: vs. St. Louis Rams
Week Twelve: St. Louis Rams at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Rams 0 7 007
Bengals 7 10 14031

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

In Week 12, the Bengals looked to bounce back from two straight losses after starting 8–0. Rams quarterback Nick Foles threw 3 Interceptions and the Bengals routed the Rams in Cincinnati, 31–7, to move to 9–2. With a Pittsburgh to loss to Seattle later that evening, the Bengals re-gained a 3-game lead in the AFC North Division.

Week 13: at Cleveland Browns
Week Thirteen: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 7 13 14337
Browns 0 3 003

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

With the convincing road win, the Bengals improved to 10–2 on the season, sweeping the Browns for the first time since 2011. This was also their largest win in the Bengals-Browns series.

Week 14: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week Fourteen: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 7 9 71033
Bengals 0 7 31020

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

Not only did the Bengals lose 33-20 and drop to 10-3, but lost quarterback Andy Dalton to a broken thumb in the first quarter. He missed the rest of the season and his loss shattered the Bengals' Super Bowl hopes. Second year quarterback A. J. McCarron took over for the game's remainder. Along with Dalton, Tyler Eifert, who returned from a stinger, left the game with a concussion.

Week 15: at San Francisco 49ers
Week Fifteen: Cincinnati Bengals at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 0 21 3024
49ers 0 0 7714

at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California

  • Date: December 20
  • Game time: 4:25 pm. EST/1:25 pm. PST
  • Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 70,799
  • Referee: Ron Torbert
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots and Jay Feely
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

This was A. J. McCarron's first game as starting quarterback, and the Bengals' first win at San Francisco since 1974.

With the win, the Bengals improved to 11-3. However, due to Pittsburgh beating Denver, they were unable to clinch the AFC North.

Week 16: at Denver Broncos
Week Sixteen: Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Bengals 7 7 03017
Broncos 0 3 77320

at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: December 28
  • Game time: 8:30 pm. EST/6:30 pm. MST
  • Game weather: 16 °F (−9 °C), mostly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 76,868
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Due to the Steelers' loss to the Ravens the previous day, the Bengals entered the game as the AFC North champions. The Bengals rushed out to a 14–0 lead in the first half on a McCarron touchdown pass and a Mohamed Sanu rush, but Denver cut the deficit to 11 points as Brandon McManus nailed a short 23-yard field goal with just 18 seconds remaining before halftime. In the second half, momentum shifted mightily after a missed field goal by Mike Nugent in the third. Emmanuel Sanders hauled in an 8-yard pass from Brock Osweiler to cut the deficit to 14–10, and Denver claimed the lead for the first time in the game on a 39-yard touchdown run by C. J. Anderson with 11:17 remaining in the 4th Quarter. The Bengals marched down the field to tie the game on Mike Nugent's season-long 52-yard field goal, making the score 17–17 at the end of regulation. The tired Bengals failed to put any points on the board in the extra period, allowing a 37-yard McManus field goal to make the score 20–17 Denver. A botched snap on the ensuing Bengals drive was recovered by the Broncos, ending the game and Cincinnati's hopes for a first-round bye in the playoffs. With the loss, the Bengals fell to 11–4 on the season.

Despite losing, the Bengals were able to clinch the AFC North with the Steelers' loss to the Ravens, as stated before.

The loss was also the 10th straight in Denver for the Bengals, dating back to 1975.

Week 17: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Week Seventeen: Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Ravens 0 9 0716
Bengals 0 7 14324

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

  • Date: January 3, 2016
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EST
  • Game weather: 35 °F (2 °C), mostly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 57,254
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis and Tony Siragusa
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Cincinnati returned home to Paul Brown Stadium to face the AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens in the final game of the NFL regular season. After offensive struggles by both teams during the opening quarter, the Ravens got on the board with a 28-yard field goal by Justin Tucker. Later on in the quarter, Tucker would add three more with another field goal, this time from 50 yards out. With 1:56 remaining in the first half, Tyler Eifert, back after missing two games due to injury, caught a 22-yard pass from McCarron as the Bengals took the lead, 7–6. Baltimore would later retake the lead, 9–7, as time expired in the half with a third Tucker field goal from 49 yards. Cincinnati came out strong in the second half, scoring 17 unanswered points en route to the 24–16 victory. 57,254 were in attendance, the smallest crowd at Paul Brown Stadium of the season.

With the win, the Bengals finished the season tying their franchise-best record in a 16-game season at 12-4. However, the Broncos' win over the Chargers later on in the day gave the Bengals the #3 seed in the postseason.

Postseason
See also: 2015–16 NFL playoffs

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. (6) Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC Wild Card Playoffs: (6) Pittsburgh Steelers at (3) Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 6 9318
Bengals 0 0 01616

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

The Steelers put up a 15–0 lead before the Bengals scored 16 unanswered in the fourth quarter to lead it 16–15. The Steelers drove down the field when a series of penalties taken by Adam Jones and Vontaze Burfict put them into field goal range late in the game, and Chris Boswell kicked the winning field goal to make it 18–16. A. J. McCarron tried to go for a miracle with 0:06 left in the game, but it fell incomplete, leading to the Bengals being one-and-done for the fifth season in a row and dropping their overall record to 12–5.

The Bengals are the first team to go to the playoffs for 5 consecutive seasons and be one-and-done in all of them.

The team also dropped to 0–2 against the Steelers in the postseason and 0–7 under Marvin Lewis in the postseason. This would prove the Bengals’ last playoff appearance in his tenure, as his contract would not be renewed after the 2018 season.

Standings

Division
AFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Cincinnati Bengals 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 419 279 W1
(6) Pittsburgh Steelers 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 423 319 W1
Baltimore Ravens 5 11 0 .313 3–3 4–8 328 401 L1
Cleveland Browns 3 13 0 .188 1–5 2–10 278 432 L3

Conference
AFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division Leaders
1[lower-alpha 1] Denver Broncos West 12 4 0 .750 4–2 8–4 .500 .479 W2
2[lower-alpha 1] New England Patriots East 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 .473 .448 L2
3[lower-alpha 1] Cincinnati Bengals North 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 .477 .406 W1
4 Houston Texans South 9 7 0 .563 5–1 7–5 .496 .410 W3
Wild Cards
5 Kansas City Chiefs West 11 5 0 .688 5–1 10–2 .496 .432 W10
6[lower-alpha 2] Pittsburgh Steelers North 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .504 .463 W1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7[lower-alpha 2] New York Jets East 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .441 .388 L1
8[lower-alpha 3] Buffalo Bills East 8 8 0 .500 4–2 7–5 .508 .438 W2
9[lower-alpha 3] Indianapolis Colts South 8 8 0 .500 4–2 6–6 .500 .406 W2
10 Oakland Raiders West 7 9 0 .438 3–3 7–5 .512 .366 L1
11 Miami Dolphins East 6 10 0 .375 1–5 4–8 .469 .469 W2
12[lower-alpha 4] Jacksonville Jaguars South 5 11 0 .313 2–4 5–7 .473 .375 L3
13[lower-alpha 4] Baltimore Ravens North 5 11 0 .313 3–3 4–8 .508 .425 L1
14 San Diego Chargers West 4 12 0 .250 0–6 3–9 .527 .328 L2
15[lower-alpha 5] Cleveland Browns North 3 13 0 .188 1–5 2–10 .531 .271 L3
16[lower-alpha 5] Tennessee Titans South 3 13 0 .188 1–5 1–11 .492 .375 L4
Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 6]
  1. Denver finished ahead of New England and Cincinnati for the No. 1 seed based on head-to-head sweep. New England finished ahead of Cincinnati for the No. 2 seed based
    on record vs. common opponents — New England's cumulative record against Buffalo, Denver, Houston and Pittsburgh was 4–1, while Cincinnati's cumulative record against
    the same four teams was 2–3.
  2. Pittsburgh finished ahead of the New York Jets for the No. 6 seed and qualified for the last playoff spot based on record vs. common opponents — Pittsburgh's cumulative
    record against Cleveland, Indianapolis, New England and Oakland was 4–1, while the Jets' cumulative record against the same four teams was 3–2.
  3. Buffalo finished ahead of Indianapolis based on head-to-head victory.
  4. Jacksonville finished ahead of Baltimore based on head-to-head victory.
  5. Cleveland finished ahead of Tennessee based on head-to-head victory.
  6. When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

References
  1. "Anatomy of a meltdown: 5 plays that sunk the Bengals". NFL.com.
  2. "Meltdown at Paul Brown Stadium leads to bitter end for Bengals". NFL.com.
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