NFL News: Updated AFC playoff picture after Bengals’ shocking win

There was a lot at stake in Saturday’s game between the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals.

Should the Broncos win or draw, they would secure the final wild card spot for the American Football Conference.

If the Bengals won, playoff hopes would remain alive not only for Cincinnati, but also for the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts.

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In the final minute of overtime, the Bengals pulled ahead after quarterback Joe Burrow threw an excellent pass to wide receiver Tee Higgins, his third of the game.

Needless to say, this complicates the AFC playoff picture a bit. As we wrap up Week 17 and head into Week 18, here’s what the final four qualifying teams need for the postseason.

Denver Broncos: Beat Chiefs

To make the playoffs, the Denver Broncos just need to win their final game of the season. Quite simple, right?

Normally it would be like this. However, their final game of the season is against the Kansas City Chiefs: the reigning two-time Super Bowl champions and the AFC’s No. 1 seed.

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With the Chiefs clinching the No. 1 spot in the playoffs, there’s a chance they’ll rest their starters for the final week.

Still, Kansas City is a proud team, and Patrick Mahomes and Co. are looking to finish the season with a 16-1 record.

If the Broncos lose to the Chiefs, the path for other teams to get into the playoffs becomes far more open.

Cincinnati Bengals: Steelers beat, Broncos lose, Colts and Dolphins lose once

After beating the Broncos, the Bengals are already on their way to a possible playoff spot. Still, a few other things need to happen for the team to secure the final Wild Card spot.

First, the Bengals have to lose a game each to the Colts and Dolphins. That means Indianapolis has to lose to either the Giants or the Jaguars and Miami has to lose to either the Browns or the Jets. That’s right, Bengals fans, you might need to root for the Browns.

Additionally, Cincinnati also needs the Broncos to lose to the Chiefs. Still not in the Bengals’ hands, but not impossible.

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Finally, the Bengals have to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. The last time these division rivals met was a high-octane matchup in which the Steelers emerged victorious 44-38.

Cincinnati needs to step up its game more than ever to get there. That being said, this team has had to face impossible odds before. If any team can do it, it’s the Bengals.

Indianapolis Colts: Beat Giants and Jaguars, Broncos lose, Dolphins and/or Bengals win

In order for the Colts to make the playoffs, they must defeat the New York Giants and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Not necessarily difficult, but it will be more difficult to win without starting quarterback Anthony Richardson.

The next part is where things get difficult. Due to the NFL’s playoff tiebreaker rules, the Colts also need the Dolphins to win the remaining games. This means there is a three-way tie for the place, meaning the three or more clubs rule comes into effect.

Assuming all three teams go 9-8, the Colts will have the better conference record, pushing them into the playoffs.

Miami Dolphins: Beat Browns and Jets, Broncos lose, Colts lose a game

The Dophins’ playoff scenario is similar to the Colts’: They need the Broncos to lose and must beat the last two teams they face: the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets.

The only difference is that the Dolphins need a Colts loss to clinch their playoff spot.

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