The Cincinnati Bengals are no strangers to pulling themselves out of an early-season hole. Last year, they nearly made the playoffs after a 1-3 start. In 2022, they opened 1-2 on their way to an AFC Championship appearance. In 2021, the Bengals were 5-4 before they broke out en route to the Super Bowl. After a 1-4 start to this season, the Bengals find themselves at 4-6, but in an enviable spot heading into Week 11, with a chance to gain ground on one of the teams ahead of them in the AFC wild-card race, the Los Angeles Chargers.
L.A. has found its stride under Jim Harbaugh, racing out to a 6-3 start that has the Chargers firmly in the hunt in the AFC playoff picture, even if they entered Week 11 three games back of the Chiefs in the division. The Chargers hang their hat on the No. 6 total defense and No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL, and they’ll need to show up after Joe Borrow (35-of-56, 428 yards, 4 TD) and Ja’Marr Chase (11 catches, 264 yards, 3 TD) torched the Ravens in a thrilling 35-34 loss on Thursday Night Football in Week 10.