NFL analysts balk at Cincinnati Bengals playoff hopes

It’s that time of year when NFL analysts make their playoff and Super Bowl predictions.

After multiple years of being the media darlings, the Cincinnati Bengals have seen a wide range of analysts lose faith in their playoff hopes.

Most recently, the crew on NFL Network’s "Good Morning Football " released their 2024 playoff predictions.

The results weren't too kind to Cincinnati as they balked at the Bengals' chances to make the playoffs.

Peter Schrager’s predicts

The most prominent voice of all on "Good Morning Football" is Peter Schrager, who has correctly predicted the Super Bowl matchup and/or the Super Bowl winner for five years straight. This year, he has the Cincinnati Bengals completely missing the playoffs.

In their place, he has the Baltimore Ravens as the lone AFC North team. Surprisingly, he has three AFC West teams making it with the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers joining the Kansas City Chiefs.

Notably, he had the New York Jets as his No. 1 overall seed.

He will make his yearly Super Bowl prediction 30 minutes before kickoff on Thursday evening.

Kyle Brandt and Jamie Erdahl also leave out the Bengals

The other co-hosts, Kyle Brandt and Jamie Erdahl, also left out Cincinnati from the playoff predictions. Erdahl also had the Baltimore Ravens as the solo AFC North team and opted for three AFC East teams with the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and New York Jets earning spots.

Kyle Brandt had two AFC North teams making the playoffs, neither of which being the Bengals. Brandt predicted the Baltimore Ravens to earn the number one overall seed on the AFC side, with the Pittsburgh Steelers earning a wild card spot.

Akbar Gbajabiamila believes in Cincinnati

While three of his co-hosts left Cincinnati out of their predictions, Akbar Gbajabiamila believes in Joe Burrow and company to at least make it to the wild card round.

He too had the Ravens winning the AFC North but losing out on the No. 1 seed to the Buffalo Bills.

After a year where Jake Browning put the Bengals within one game of a playoff spot, it is a bit surprising to see the Bengals left off so many prominent predictions.

But with a question about Burrow's health and their superstar wide receiver potentially holding out , it can be hard to disagree with the doubt.

MORE BENGALS
Bengals star could get 'No. 1 receiver money' in free agency
Bengals rookie showed 'serious flashes' in preseason
Bengals star is 'dream teammate' of top recruit, son of former NFL WR