After the Broncos’ victory ends the Bengals’ hopes of making the playoffs, the Chiefs podcaster advises the team to “play better” and “stop relying on other teams.
After the Denver Broncos’ win effectively extinguished the Cincinnati Bengals’ hopes of qualifying for the playoffs, a Chiefs podcaster offered pointed advice to the Bengals, urging them to “play better” and “stop relying on other teams.” The loss of playoff contention was a bitter reality for the Bengals, who had fought hard throughout the season to remain in the hunt for a postseason berth. However, despite their efforts, the Broncos’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs sealed their fate, ending their hopes of advancing. In response to this outcome, the Chiefs podcaster expressed a candid and straightforward viewpoint, urging the Bengals to take responsibility for their own future rather than relying on the fortunes of other teams.
The Bengals, entering the final stretch of the season with a realistic chance of securing a playoff spot, found themselves relying not only on their own performance but also on the results of games involving other teams. This scenario is not unusual in the NFL, as multiple teams often fight for playoff spots in the final weeks of the season. However, relying on external factors can be risky, as outcomes in other games can be unpredictable. The Broncos’ victory highlighted the perils of such a reliance, and the Chiefs podcaster’s advice was a reflection of the harsh realities of professional football.
“Play better” was the crux of the podcaster’s advice, and it was a sentiment that resonated with the Bengals’ situation. The Bengals’ campaign had been marked by some ups and downs, and while they demonstrated flashes of brilliance, they also had moments where they fell short. Inconsistent performances from key players, especially on offense and defense, meant that they could not always control their fate. The Chiefs podcaster was essentially telling the Bengals to take ownership of their performance and ensure that they could secure their playoff spot through their own efforts rather than hoping for favorable results in other games.
The “stop relying on other teams” part of the advice also pointed to a critical issue that often comes up when teams are on the cusp of playoff contention. It is easy for teams in this situation to become dependent on external factors, hoping that other teams will lose, or certain results will go their way. While these factors can influence the playoff race, they should not be the primary focus for a team striving to make the postseason. A team that wants to earn its place in the playoffs needs to focus on controlling what is within its power, particularly its own performance on the field.
For the Bengals, this meant that they had to find a way to close out the season with a strong finish. While they were hoping for favorable results from other teams, their reliance on those outcomes ultimately proved to be their downfall. Had they been able to take care of business themselves in critical moments, they might have avoided this fate. The podcaster’s advice, though blunt, was a reminder that teams who want to secure a playoff spot must first and foremost focus on winning their own games, without relying on the unpredictable nature of other teams’ performances.
The Bengals’ inability to control their destiny was also tied to the importance of consistency in the NFL. In a league where teams are often separated by only a few wins, consistency can make the difference between a playoff berth and missing out. Throughout the season, the Bengals had moments of inconsistency, especially in their most important games. Whether it was struggling to execute in the red zone or failing to make critical stops on defense, the Bengals’ inability to play a complete game in key situations hurt their chances of making the playoffs. The advice to “play better” spoke directly to this issue. It wasn’t just about winning more games; it was about elevating the level of play to a standard that could ensure a spot in the postseason without relying on outside factors.
The loss to the Broncos and the subsequent end to the Bengals’ playoff hopes also highlighted a common frustration that fans, analysts, and even fellow players have about teams in playoff contention. When a team fails to capitalize on opportunities, it often invites criticism and reflection on how they could have done better. The Bengals were in a position where they needed to win and hope for favorable outcomes elsewhere, but they didn’t fully grasp the importance of winning decisively and taking control of their playoff destiny. Instead, they found themselves on the outside looking in, as other teams—like the Broncos—had a direct impact on their future.
The podcaster’s advice was especially notable given the context of the Chiefs’ own playoff run. The Chiefs, perennial contenders in the AFC, know all too well the importance of controlling their own fate. Year after year, they’ve been able to secure playoff spots and advance deep into the postseason, often by focusing on what they can control and taking care of business in their own games. The contrast between the Chiefs’ consistent dominance and the Bengals’ struggles to close out key games offered a sharp reminder to the Bengals about the importance of focusing on their own performance.
From a broader perspective, the podcaster’s comments can also be seen as a critique of the Bengals’ approach to their playoff chances. It’s not uncommon for teams to lose sight of what’s necessary to succeed in the NFL, especially when external circumstances, like other teams’ performances, become a focal point. However, the most successful teams in the league are those that can stay focused on their own play, making sure they are doing everything possible to secure their spot. The Bengals, despite showing promise in flashes, failed to show the consistency required to make it into the playoffs.
This is not to say that the Bengals lack talent. In fact, they have one of the most dynamic offenses in the league, led by quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, two of the brightest young stars in the NFL. However, talent alone is often not enough to guarantee a playoff spot. Teams need to execute, stay disciplined, and avoid putting themselves in a position where they have to rely on the fortunes of other teams. The Bengals had the potential to make a deep playoff run, but the failure to consistently put together complete performances ultimately led to their elimination.
As the Bengals head into the offseason, they will have to take stock of their season and make adjustments. The advice from the Chiefs podcaster, while pointed, offers valuable insight into what the Bengals need to do in the future. To be a playoff contender year after year, the Bengals must learn to take control of their own destiny. It’s about more than just showing up in big games; it’s about executing at the highest level consistently and taking care of business every week. The Bengals have the talent, but they must elevate their play to match the demands of the league, and in doing so, they can avoid relying on the unpredictable results of other teams.
The Broncos’ victory over the Chiefs served as a stark reminder of the realities of playoff contention in the NFL. The Chiefs podcaster’s advice to the Bengals—urging them to “play better” and “stop relying on other teams”—was a direct response to the Bengals’ failure to control their own fate. In the cutthroat world of the NFL, playoff spots are earned through consistency and execution, not by hoping for help from others. The Bengals’ elimination from playoff contention was a painful reminder of this, and it highlights the importance of focusing on what a team can control. If the Bengals want to return to the playoffs in the future, they must take this lesson to heart and make sure they don’t find themselves in a position where external factors determine their fate.
