Fan Polls Predict Outcomes for the Cincinnati Bengals' Remaining Games

With just three games left in the NFL regular season, fan polls have emerged as a telling barometer of expectations for the Cincinnati Bengals’ final stretch. From local sports radio surveys to national NFL fan forums, thousands of supporters have weighed in on how they think the Bengals will fare against their remaining opponents: the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Baltimore Ravens. These polls don’t just reflect blind optimism or frustration—they incorporate factors like recent team form, head-to-head history, and key player health, offering a snapshot of how fans perceive the Bengals’ chances to secure an AFC North title and a favorable playoff seed. Fan Polls Predict Outcomes for the Cincinnati Bengals' Remaining Games explores the scope of these polls, predictions for each remaining matchup, how player health sways fan opinions, shifts in confidence from earlier in the season, and what these forecasts suggest about the Bengals’ playoff potential.

Fan Polls Predict Outcomes for the Cincinnati Bengals' Remaining Games opens with the breadth and methodology of the fan polls shaping these predictions. Local outlets like Cincinnati’s 700 WLW Radio conducted a week-long survey that drew over 5,000 responses, asking fans to pick wins, losses, or ties for each remaining game. Nationally, a Reddit NFL fan poll with 12,000 participants included the Bengals’ matchups as part of its weekly “AFC Playoff Race Predictions” thread. Most polls also included follow-up questions to gauge why fans chose certain outcomes, with options like “opponent’s recent decline,” “Bengals’ offensive momentum,” or “concerns about injuries.” The results, while not scientific, align closely across platforms—a sign that fan sentiment is consistent in its assessment of the Bengals’ final stretch. “These polls are interesting because they’re driven by people who watch every snap, track every injury, and care deeply about the team,” said WLW Radio host Scott Sloan. “They’re not just guessing—they’re using what they know to make informed calls.”

Fan Polls Predict Outcomes for the Cincinnati Bengals' Remaining Games delves into the game-by-game predictions that have emerged from these surveys, starting with the most immediate matchup: a home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. An overwhelming 68% of respondents in the WLW poll predicted a Bengals win, with just 24% picking the Steelers and 8lling for a tie. Fans cited the Steelers’ recent four-game slide (including losses to struggling teams like the Arizona Cardinals) and the Bengals’ Week 8 victory over Pittsburgh as key reasons. For the road game against the Kansas City Chiefs, opinions were more split: 52% of fans predicted a Chiefs win, 41cked the Bengals, and 7% were undecided. The split reflects the Chiefs’ status as Super Bowl contenders, but many fans noted the Bengals’ recent success against Kansas City (including two playoff wins in the last three years) as a reason for optimism. The final game against the Baltimore Ravens, a potential AFC North title decider, was the closest: 51% predicted a Ravens win, 45% chose the Bengals, and 4% were on the fence. Fans pointed to Baltimore’s strong home record (7-1 this season) as a major factor, but also highlighted the Bengals’ ability to rise to big games.

Fan Polls Predict Outcomes for the Cincinnati Bengals' Remaining Games covers how concerns about key player health have influenced these predictions—most notably, the status of defensive end Trey Hendrickson. In the WLW poll, 43% of fans who predicted a loss to the Chiefs cited “worries about Hendrickson’s knee injury” as a deciding factor, believing his absence would weaken the Bengals’ pass rush against Patrick Mahomes. Similarly, 38% of fans who picked a Ravens win mentioned concerns about the Bengals’ offensive line, which has dealt with injuries and struggled to protect Joe Burrow in recent weeks. Polls also showed that if Hendrickson is listed as “probable” for the Steelers game, fan confidence in a win jumps from 68% to 79%. “Injuries are the wild card for fans,” said Sloan. “When a star player like Hendrickson is banged up, it immediately makes people second-guess their optimism.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, these poll results underscore just how closely fans are monitoring player health—and how critical a fully healthy roster is to maintaining support and confidence.

Another layer of Fan Polls Predict Outcomes for the Cincinnati Bengals' Remaining Games is the shift in fan confidence compared to earlier in the season. Back in Week 10, when the Bengals were 6-4 and coming off a loss to the Houston Texans, a similar WLW poll showed just 45% of fans believed the team would win two or more of their remaining games. Now, with the Bengals at 8-5 and riding a two-game win streak, that number has jumped to 72%. The biggest shift is in optimism about the AFC North: 58% of current poll respondents believe the Bengals will win the division, up from 32% in Week 10. This change reflects the Steelers’ decline and the Bengals’ recent offensive surge, which has seen Burrow throw for 800 yards and 6 touchdowns in the last two games. “Fans are responding to what they’re seeing on the field,” said a moderator of the Bengals’ Reddit fan community. “When the team plays with energy and avoids mistakes, confidence skyrockets. That’s exactly what’s happened the last few weeks.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, this boost in fan confidence isn’t just a morale boost—it’s a sign that supporters believe the team is back on track after a mid-season lull.

Fan Polls Predict Outcomes for the Cincinnati Bengals' Remaining Games closes with what these poll predictions suggest about the Bengals’ playoff prospects. If the polls are correct—with the Bengals winning two of their three remaining games (beating the Steelers and either the Chiefs or Ravens)—they would finish the season with a 10-7 record, likely securing the AFC North title or a top-five wild-card seed. A majority of poll respondents (63%) believe the Bengals will win at least one playoff game, with 28% predicting a trip to the AFC Championship. These numbers align with national NFL analysts’ projections, which also list the Bengals as a strong playoff contender. “Fans aren’t just hoping for the best—they’re seeing real signs that this team can make a deep run,” said Sloan. “The polls reflect that mix of realism and optimism.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, fan polls serve as both a validation of their recent progress and a reminder of the expectations they’re now facing. As they head into their final three games, these predictions will hang in the air—motivation to turn fan hope into on-field success, and secure the playoff spot their supporters believe they deserve.