NFL
This is what the Bengals need in week 18 to clinch the AFC final wild-card spot: Every possible outcome
The Cincinnati Bengals face the Pittsburgh Steelers in their last regular-season game but need other results to go their way to reach the postseason.
Six of the seven playoff spots in the AFC are already decided after 17 games of the 2024 NFL season, with three teams, the Denver Broncos, the Miami Dolphins and the Cincinnati Bengals hoping to clinch the final wild-card spot in week 18.
As it stands, the Broncos (9-7) are in the driving seat, one game ahead of the Dolphins and the Bengals, who are both 8-8. In the simplest of terms, Denver will clinch a wild-card spot if they defeat or tie against the Kansas City Chiefs in their final game, no questions asked.
However, the Chiefs are the Chiefs, so a Denver victory is a long, long way from being a foregone conclusion. That said, the reigning Super Bowl champions look likely to rest some of their stars, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The Bengals and the Dolphins must be ready to pounce if the Broncos lose a third successive game. However, there is only one scenario that will see Joe Burrow and Co claim a wild-card spot; they are very much on the outside looking in.
The only way the Bengals can clinch the playoffs in week 18
Cincinnati must defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers at Accrisure Stadium on Sunday (January 5, kickoff at 8:00 p.m. ET) and hope neither the Broncos nor the Dolphins beat the Chiefs or the New York Jets respectively (ties in those games would be enough for the Bengals to sneak into seventh).
Should Denver lose and the Bengals and the Dolphins both win, Miami will qualify for the postseason due to their superior record against AFC opponents. Zac Taylor’s team therefore need to take of their own business, hope a weakened Chiefs still prove too strong for the Broncos, and the Jets, who are 4-12, cause a major upset against the Dolphins.
Bengals' potential seed and wild-card round opponent
The Bengals (or the Broncos/Dolphins) can do no better than finish as No. 7 seed and already know they will face the Buffalo Bills, who will be the No. 2 seed, in the wild-card round if they qualify.
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