Bengals have slim chance of homefield advantage throughout the playoffs

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals have a 4% chance of winning homefield advantage in the AFC playoffs.

That's the odds according to ESPN, with the Bengals heading into the NFL's first-ever week 18 and finishing its first 17-game season on Sunday.

ESPN projected the Bengals - if they can beat the Browns - would likely play the Indianapolis Colts at home in the first round. But there is other scenarios in which the Bengals could slip into the AFC's top seed.

Right now, the AFC playoff chase looks like this. Teams in bold have clinched a playoff spot:

1. Tennessee Titans (11-5), clinched AFC South.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5), clinched AFC West.
3. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6), clinched AFC North.
4. Buffalo Bills (10-6), clinched playoff game, the Bills at 95 percent to clinch AFC East according to ESPN.
5. New England Patriots (10-6), clinched playoff game, the Patriots have a 5 percent chance to clinch the AFC East according to ESPN.
6. Indianapolis Colts (9-7), have 85 percent chance of clinching Wildcard spot according to ESPN.
7. L.A. Chargers (9-7), have 58 percent chance of clinching Wildcard spot, according to ESPN.
8. Las Vegas Raiders (9-7), have 51 percent chance of clinching playoff sports, according to ESPN.

For the Bengals to get the top seed, this is what CBSSports.com saidthe Bengals need to have happen this week:

• The Bengals win
• The Tennessee Titans lose
• The Kansas City Chiefs lose
• The New England Patriots lose

OR

• The Bengals win
• The Titans lose
• The Buffalo Bills win
• The Chiefs lose

The Bengals have a better AFC record than the Bills, which is why they are a spot ahead of Buffalo. We know there will be at least one home game at Paul Brown Stadium, currently scheduled for either Saturday, January 15 or Sunday, January 16.

WCPO: Bengals beat Chiefs, clinch AFC North and head to playoffs for first time since 2015