History Suggests Bengals Should Struggle at Tennessee (0-7 all-time in Playoff Road Games)

The Cincinnati Bengals, their fans, and everyone involved in the organization are still celebrating after the franchise’s first playoff win since 1991. The win came over the now-defunct Houston Oilers in the Wild Card round 41-14. They went on to lose in the Division round to the Raiders 20-10. While it was an impressive win, the luster of it has long since faded in the 31 years between now and then. 

But, new life has been breathed into this team thanks to young stars like Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Joe Mixon. They put up one helluva show against the Las Vegas Raiders in the Wild Card round with a 26-19 win and take one step closer to another milestone. 

However, the Bengals have had one massive issue over the last 31 years that has prevented them from advancing past the first round. That issue could pop up again in round two if the historical trend is to be trusted. See, the Bengals have not won a playoff game on the road. Ever. The Bengals, in fact, have a long history of losing road games in the playoffs. It all started back in 1970 with their first trip to the playoffs when they got shut out by the Baltimore Colts 17-0. This trend continued all the way to the 2014 playoffs. That was the last time the Bengals played on the road in the postseason. Ironically, they lost to the Colts once again, but the Indianapolis Colts, 26-10. 

Now, the Bengals have also done well to lose home games in the playoffs too, it’s not just an issue they have on the road. In their 10 total home games in the playoffs, the Bengals are 5-5 overall. They have also played two playoff games at neutral sites since 1970, losing both.

Let me be clear. This does not mean I am suggesting you bet against the Bengals this weekend at the Titans because they lost on the road three times in a row between 1970-1975. Because that is absurd. I just found it interesting that the Bengals, as a franchise, have never won a road game in the playoffs. 

They are, however, 3.5 point underdogs this weekend at Tennesee, according to WynnBET Sportsbook. But, they also have the best team, and best QB, they have had since I can remember. Might be time to bring a playoff win home to Paul Brown Stadium.