NFL
What do the Broncos need against the Chiefs to clinch a playoff place?
A hard-fought win for the Cincinnati Bengals kept them in postseason contention against the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos.
The Denver Broncos came into the weekend in pole position to claim the final playoff place in the AFC. The other six teams have already been decided but the Broncos face competition from the Cincinnati Bengals and the Miami Dolphins for the No. 7 seed spot.
The Broncos take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, a daunting prospect even with Patrick Mahomes rested for the regular season finale. Last week’s Broncos loss to the Bengals means that they still have work to do.
Even with a 9-7 regular season record, the Denver Broncos need to win against the Chiefs to guarantee their postseason place. That would give them a 10-7 record; the best that either the Bengals or the Dolphins can manage is 9-8.
A defeat, however, would see Denver eliminated. If the Broncos were to lose then they would have the same record as the Bengals, but the Bengals have a better head-to-head record, thanks to their recent win at Paycor Stadium.
However a Broncos defeat would allow the Miami Dolphins to sneak into the conversation and they hold a trump card. If the Broncos lose and Dolphins win on Sunday then all three teams in contention will have a 9-8 record. The Dolphins would win any tiebreaker due to their superior record against AFC opponents.
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