The Week 17 clash between the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals held significant playoff implications for both teams and several others vying for a Wild Card spot in the American Football Conference (AFC). A Bengals victory, secured by a late overtime touchdown pass from Joe Burrow to Tee Higgins, complicated the AFC playoff picture, leaving several teams battling for the final Wild Card berth heading into the final week of the regular season.
The Denver Broncos face the simplest, yet perhaps most daunting, path to the playoffs: defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18. While the Chiefs have already clinched the top seed in the AFC, guaranteeing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, they possess a formidable roster led by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and are likely motivated to finish the season with a stellar 15-2 record. A Broncos loss, however, throws the door wide open for the other contending teams.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ playoff hopes hinge on a combination of factors. First, they must defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers in their Week 18 matchup, a rematch of a high-scoring earlier encounter won by Pittsburgh. Secondly, they need both the Indianapolis Colts and the Miami Dolphins to lose at least one of their remaining games. The Colts face the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars, while the Dolphins play the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the Bengals need the Broncos to fall to the Chiefs. This complex scenario puts the Bengals’ playoff destiny partly in the hands of other teams.
The Indianapolis Colts face a challenging, yet achievable, road to the playoffs. They must win both of their remaining games against the Giants and Jaguars, a task made more difficult by the absence of starting quarterback Anthony Richardson. Complicating matters further, the Colts need a specific combination of results to secure a playoff berth. Due to the NFL’s tiebreaker rules, a three-way tie at 9-8 between the Colts, Dolphins, and Bengals would favor Indianapolis based on conference record. Therefore, the Colts need the Dolphins to win both their remaining games to force this three-way tie scenario, while simultaneously hoping the Broncos lose to the Chiefs.
The Miami Dolphins’ playoff scenario mirrors that of the Colts in several ways. They must secure victories against the Browns and Jets in their final two games, and they also require a Broncos loss to the Chiefs. However, the Dolphins’ tiebreaker situation differs slightly. They need the Colts to lose at least one game to ensure their own playoff spot. A three-way tie at 9-8 between the Colts, Dolphins, and Bengals would favor the Colts, so the Dolphins cannot afford for the Colts to win out.
Week 18 of the NFL season promises high drama and intense competition as these teams fight for the final AFC Wild Card spot. The Broncos face a must-win game against the formidable Chiefs, while the Bengals, Colts, and Dolphins find themselves in a complex web of tiebreaker scenarios and must rely on a combination of their own victories and losses by their rivals. The playoff picture will remain uncertain until the final whistle blows on the regular season, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Each game holds immense significance, and the outcomes will determine which team ultimately secures the coveted playoff berth. The stakes are high, the pressure is on, and the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the 2023 NFL regular season.
