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Cincinnati Bengals' Week 18 opponent, Cleveland Browns, eliminated from playoff contention

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) is unable to catch pass in the end zone under pressure from Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Markus Bailey (51) in the second quarter of the NFL Week 9 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. Cleveland led 24-10 at halftime.
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) is unable to catch pass in the end zone under pressure from Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Markus Bailey (51) in the second quarter of the NFL Week 9 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. Cleveland led 24-10 at halftime.

The AFC North champion Cincinnati Bengals' next opponent - the 7-8 Cleveland Browns - will not be fighting for a playoff spot during their Week 18 meeting, as they officially were eliminated from playoff contention with the Los Angeles Chargers' Week 17 win against the Denver Broncos.

The 7-7-1 Steelers - which face the Browns on Monday night in Pittsburgh - can only make the playoffs by winning their last two games in addition to an Indianapolis Colts' loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18.

The 8-8 Baltimore Ravens also would need a lot of help to earn a playoff berth. They're battling for the final two playoff spots alongside the Colts, Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders and Steelers.

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Both the Raiders and the Colts can clinch the final two spots with wins next week. The Raiders face the Chargers on Sunday night in the final game of the regular season.

With their division-clinching win, the 10-6 Bengals joined the 11-5 Chiefs, 10-6 Buffalo Bills, 11-5 Tennessee Titans and 10-6 New England Patriots as AFC playoff teams.

With the Chiefs playing their Week 18 game against the Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Bengals will know in advance of Sunday's 1 p.m. Eastern game against the Browns whether the top seed - the only team that gets a first-round bye in the playoffs - has been decided.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bengals' Week 18 opponent, Browns, eliminated from playoff contention