After back-to-back wins over the New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs, the Cincinnati Bengals all of a sudden look like a team ready to make a run at their second-straight playoff appearance and with a favorable schedule to close out the season–there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be able to do so.

Before their final two games of the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati will face the Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia Eagles–four teams without a winning record. Even if the Bengals lose to the Steelers and Ravens, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be able to win at least three of the other four games against the teams without a winning record.

Cincinnati was one of the biggest surprises last year when Andy Dalton and A.J. Green helped the team reach the playoffs as rookies, and with the way these two have played over the last couple of weeks, they’re quickly becoming one of the league’s top quarterback-wide receiver duos. Green has recorded at least one touchdown catch in nine-straight games while Dalton has failed to throw an interception over the last two games.

They may have to settle for a Wild Card spot, but there’s no reason why the Bengals shouldn’t be considered a playoff contender with the type of schedule they have. Of course, if they do find themselves in the position to be playing in January, it would be nice to see head coach Marvin Lewis earn his first playoff win in his career.