The Bengals have a spot in the top 10 of the 2026 NFL draft order. How they finish the season will decide if they stay there.

The 4-9 Cincinnati Bengals host the 6-7 Baltimore Ravens on Sunday as 2.5-point home underdogs. Both teams still have a shot at winning the weak AFC North, but both are in an uphill battle to make that happen. Going into this weekend ESPN gives the Ravens a 30% shot at making the playoffs, while the Bengals are at 3%.

The Baltimore Ravens, led by quarterback Lamar Jackson, face the Cincinnati Bengals, led by quarterback Joe Burrow, on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle BJ Hill was injured during the first quarter of the team's NFL Week 15 loss to the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium. Hill remained down on the field after the Ravens' first offensive play of the game. Hill was involved in a tackle of Ravens running back Derrick Henry.

If the NFL season ended now, the Bengals would have the ninth overall pick in the 2026 draft. The New England Patriots-Baltimore Ravens game will be the prime-time matchup, while the Cincinnati Bengals-Miami Dolphins game will move to the early window.

Who says the last three games are meaningless for the Cincinnati Bengals? An NFL title could be on the line. A punting title, that is. Bengals punt

Simple math says that means defensive coordinator Al Golden will be back, too. Golden’s defense has shown slight improvements over the last few weeks. And according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, that’s something already weighing heavily in the conversations at Paycor Stadium this month:

Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic revealed some major insight into where things stand for the Bengals head coach. While the heat is turned on outside the organization, it's not nearly as hot inside. Taylor, despite the struggles lately, is not expected to be fired after this season.