The game between the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17 had a lot on the line, with the Broncos needing a win or tie to clinch the final Wild Card spot in the AFC, while a Bengals win would keep their playoff hopes alive, along with those of the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts. In the final minute of overtime, the Bengals emerged victorious after a great pass from quarterback Joe Burrow to wide receiver Tee Higgins, securing a 30-24 win. This win has made the AFC playoff picture more complicated as we head into the final week of the regular season.
The Denver Broncos now simply need to win their final game against the Kansas City Chiefs to secure a playoff spot. However, facing the two-time Super Bowl champions and No. 1 seed in the AFC will be a tough challenge. While there is a chance the Chiefs could rest their starters, they will likely want to finish the season with a 16-1 record. If the Broncos lose to the Chiefs, it opens up the possibility for other teams to make it into the playoffs.
The Cincinnati Bengals have already taken a step towards a potential playoff berth by beating the Broncos. To clinch the final Wild Card spot, they need the Colts and Dolphins to lose one game each. They also need the Broncos to lose to the Chiefs and must beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in their final game. While facing a tough challenge, the Bengals have shown resilience and have the potential to pull off a playoff berth.
The Indianapolis Colts need to win their final two games against the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars in order to make the playoffs. They also need the Dolphins to win their remaining games to create a three-way tie for the spot. With the tiebreaker rules in place, the Colts would have the better conference record, securing their spot in the postseason.
The Miami Dolphins have a similar path to the playoffs as the Colts. They need to win their last two games against the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets and hope for the Broncos to lose. However, they also need the Colts to lose to guarantee their playoff spot. The playoff race in the AFC is heating up as we head into the final week of the regular season, with several teams vying for a spot in the postseason.
Overall, the AFC playoff picture is uncertain as we head into the final week of the regular season. The Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, and Miami Dolphins all have a chance to clinch the final Wild Card spot, but each team faces their own set of challenges and must rely on other results to secure their spot in the postseason. It will be an exciting end to the regular season as teams battle for a chance to continue their season in the playoffs.
