The fact that no one thought they had a shot last season points to them getting a lucky. They looked better last season than they have this season and they never had to deal without Chase for a number of games. They still have major issues on their OL. Without Chase, Joe Burrow is likely to hold onto the ball even longer.
Probably so but there is always a chance. I bet fans of all the 3-3 and 3-4 teams feel they can turn it around and have a chance also.
I never count teams out even with a 3-7 record. In 1990 Dallas was at 3-7 and then won 4 in a row. All they had to do was win 1 more game to make the playoffs.
But Aikman got injured in the Eagles game, Laufenberg took over and we lost.
We should have beat a very bad and injured Falcons team, but Laufenberg looked like a peewee QB and we lost.
So I don’t count any team out at 3-7 as now there is that extra game.
Even at 7-9 we still had a chance of getting a playoff spot.
If Rams would have beaten the Saints. Which they would have, as the Saints, missed the game winning FG. But an offsides on the Rams allowed a rekick and they made it that time.