By beating the team of reserves, the Broncos clinched the final AFC playoff spot. It created the worst possible outcome for the Cincinnati Bengals, who entered the game rooting for the Chiefs to win and the Jets to beat the Dolphins to steal an unlikely playoff berth.

Many Bengals fans are sure the Chiefs were scared of the Bengals and tanked in their loss at Denver. That kept Cincinnati out of the playoffs.

The Denver Broncos extinguished the Cincinnati Bengals' playoff hopes, and claimed the AFC's No. 7 seed in the NFL playoffs.

Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in a hard-fought AFC North contest by a final score of 19-17 to keep their playoff

Anyone associated with the Bengals or the team's fans didn't have to scoreboard watch for long on Sunday before the team's playoff hopes were dashed.

The Bengals had a strong attendance year despite falling short of the playoffs, the latter of which led to a shakeup in the team's coaching staff.

For the Bengals to get into the playoffs, they need the Denver Broncos to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets to beat the Miami Dolphins. Both of the games will be played during the early afternoon 4:25 p.m. time slot. Cincinnati will know if their season will continue by 8 p.m. or so on Sunday night.

Pittsburgh (10-6) rides a three-game losing streak into a matchup with Cincinnati on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Acrisure Stadium. The spread predicts a close game, with the Bengals favored by

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, right, rolls out of the pocket against the Kansas City Chiefs during the teams’ NFL Week 18 game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. Isaiah J. Downing Imagn Images

The Houston Texans will be welcoming back their career leader in total touchdowns ahead of their opening playoff game.

The Detroit Lions will play one of four teams in their playoff opener next week: The Rams, Packers, Vikings or Commanders.