Bengals and Seahawks miss playoffs despite consecutive 9-8 seasons after Broncos' win over Chiefs

The Cincinnati Bengals went 9-8 for two consecutive years and missed the playoffs both times, becoming only the seventh team to achieve this since the NFL merged with the AFL in 1970. Their playoff elimination was confirmed when the Denver Broncos secured a win over the Kansas City Chiefs to clinch the No. 7 seed in the AFC. Winning nine games in back-to-back seasons without reaching the postseason is rare, and the Bengals are now part of an exclusive group with the Seattle Seahawks, who also missed out on the playoffs this season.