AFC Playoff Image: The Bengals keep their playoff hopes alive with a big win over the Browns

The Cincinnati Bengals did exactly what they needed to do in Week 16: take care of the Cleveland Browns. Joe Burrow threw three touchdown passes and Ja’Marr Chase and Chase Brown each had nearly 100 yards in Cincinnati’s 24-6 victory over Cleveland.

The win puts the Bengals at 7-8 and still alive in the AFC playoffs. A big game awaits on Saturday when the 9-6 Denver Broncos come to town. The Bengals need to win to stay alive.

Then the Broncos would have to lose to the Chiefs in Week 18, but the Chiefs could have the No. 1 seed by then, meaning they could rest their starters in Week 18. They could even secure the top seed ahead of the Bengals and Broncos play on Saturday – the Chiefs secure the top seed with a win on Wednesday over the Steelers.

The Bengals also still need both the Colts and Dolphins to lose a game, as both posted wins in Week 16 to keep their own playoff hopes alive. The Colts visit the 2-13 Giants while the Dolphins travel to Cleveland to face the Browns. In Week 18, the Colts host the Jaguars and the Dolphins visit the Jets.

Step by step for the Bengals. The next step is to knock out the Broncos on Saturday.

AFC playoff rankings

1.y-Kansas City Chiefs 14-1

2.y-Buffalo Bills 12-3

3. x-Pittsburgh Steelers 10-5

4.y-Houston Texans 9-6

5. x-Baltimore Ravens 10-5

6. Los Angeles Chargers 9-6

7. Denver Broncos 9-6

8. Indianapolis Colts 7-8

9. Miami Dolphins 7-8

10.Cincinnati Bengals 7-8

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Bengals injury updates immediately following Week 16 against the Browns

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: AFC Playoff Picture: The Bengals keep their playoff hopes alive with a big win over the Browns