The Cincinnati Bengals expected to be in the playoff hunt after the all-in offseason, topped off by the Dexter Lawrence trade. 

Granted, approaching Week 8, the Bengals didn’t expect to sit behind the 5-2 Cleveland Browns in the AFC North. 

But as far as the playoff hunt goes? The Bengals are right there hanging around near the lower seeds in the AFC. 

A quick glance at the playoff standings: 

1. Chiefs (5-1)

2. Bills (5-1)

3. Browns (5-2)

4. Jaguars (4-2)

5. Broncos (5-2)

6. Steelers (5-2)

7. Bengals (4-2)

8. Patriots (4-3)

9. Ravens (4-3)

It’s still plenty bunched up in the AFC. The Bengals just beat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7, pushing Lamar Jackson and Co. to No. 9. 

Looking ahead, Joe Burrow and the Bengals still get Baltimore and Pittsburgh one more time each, plus Cleveland twice in AFC North play. They also have AFC matchups with Tennessee, Kansas City and Indianapolis before the season ends. 

The Bengals have one of the easier strength of schedules left in the NFL this year, so sitting at 4-2 at this point is much better than that seventh seed would seem to suggest.