The Bengals are feeling “sick” after their playoff hopes

The Bengals (4-7) have lost six games this season by one possession or less, leaving them in serious danger of missing the playoffs for the second straight year.

A second-half rally by Cincinnati fell short Sunday night in a 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers — a game in which the Bengals trailed 27-6 in the third quarter. Cincinnati ran off 21 straight points to tie the game, only to lose when former Ravens running back JK Dobbins scored on a 29-yard run with 18 seconds left.

The Bengals only have a 14% chance of making the playoffs, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. However, head coach Zac Taylor said the Bengals coaches and players haven’t given up hope heading into a bye week before hosting the Steelers in Week 13 on “Sunday Night Football.”

“I don’t know if many teams are going to be up 24-6 at halftime and dig back, fight the way our guys did,” Taylor said. via the team’s website. “Proud of our guys, sick of our guys. That’s kind of been the story of our season so far.

“Our season is by no means over. We have a chance to use a bye to kind of come back and get into a groove here in the last part of the season. We’re going to have to win a lot of these, We puts ourselves in a tough spot, but I believe what I’ve just seen from our guys.”

Joe Burrow threw for 356 yards and three touchdowns, but Cincinnati’s defense gave up at least 34 points for the third time in the last four games. After the game, Burrow was asked if he felt the Bengals were playoff bound.

“Hope so. I think we’ll find out,” Burrow said. “We know where we are. I’m not happy with where we are. I don’t think anyone is, but all you can do is come back tomorrow and try to get better.”