Make no mistake, Bain is an exciting prospect. Both Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai are on the way to free agency. Myles Murphy has shown a few flashes, but the team has gotten nothing from last year’s first-rounder, Shemar Stewart. Bain makes sense.

CINCINNATI — The Bengals have a few rising coaches on Zac Taylor's staff right now. Sports Illustrated's Connor Orr broke down nearly 50 candidates for head coaching or coordinator positions, with Dan Pitcher one of the top head coach candidates and passing game coach Justin Rascati an offensive coordinator candidate.

CINCINNATI, Ohio — The NFL finalized its Week 17 schedule on Wednesday, and that includes when the matchup between the Bengals and Cardinals will be. The two teams will play on Sunday, Dec. 28, at 1 p.m. with FOX broadcasting the game.

If Joe Burrow and the Bengals are going to make a late charge to the postseason field, it will likely come through a division championship, with a wild card berth looking out of reach.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/bengals/onsi as NFL Announces Day, Time for Cincinnati Bengals' Week 17 Game Against the Arizona Cardinals. CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Bengals will not be playing a stand-alone game against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Bengals lost, 39-34, to fall to 4-9 and all but eliminate their playoff chances. Even if they go on a winning streak like they did last season, the Bengals can only max out at 8-9. Their only saving grace is the Steelers lead the AFC North at 7-6, but that's still three games behind with four to play.

One NFL team's playoff clinching scenario is already off the table for Week 15, but several others still have a path to seal a spot on Sunday.

The SI Team avoided a week without an upset winner, as Matt Verderame cashed in on the Jacksonville Jaguars to take down the Indianapolis Colts in Week 14. Gilb