The Bengals began the season with a 1-4 record and had to win four straight games to end the regular season just to be in position to potentially make the playoffs in Week 18.

When the Cincinnati Bengals were 4-8, their playoff hopes were on life support. Many likely felt they wouldn’t have even been playing a meaningful game in Week 18. Four straight wins later, the Bengals are 8-8 and have a pulse entering the final week of the NFL season.

Following the Steelers game, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor seemingly issued a warning about how dangerous his team is. “They are not going to want us in this tournament,” Taylor said, per Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. “I promise you.”