Denver sealed Cincinnati's fate, and HBO’s "Hard Knocks," which followed the AFC North teams this season, captured some of the Bengals’ players and head coach Zac Taylor's immediate reactions as they watched it all unfold.

The Broncos’ full list of 2025 opponents features the AFC West, AFC South and NFC East, plus same-place finishers from the AFC North (Bengals), AFC East (New York Jets) and NFC North (Green Bay Packers).

The Cincinnati Bengals are still alive in the AFC playoff race. Led by Joe Burrow's four touchdowns (one rushing), the Bengals recorded a 30-24 overtime win over the Denver Broncos, who missed a golden opportunity to clinch their first playoff berth since 2015.

The Broncos won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff. They drove 58 yards in 10 plays, but were forced to settled for a 30-yard field goal after failing to convert a 4th-and-2 from Cincinnati's 12-yard line.

As Denver prepares for its home finale against the Kansas City Chiefs, we're letting you know who to cheer for ahead of the start of the postseason. The NFL announced the following Week 18 scenarios for the Denver Broncos to clinch a playoff berth.

Cincinnati (7-8) rides a three-game winning streak into a matchup with Denver (9-6) on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at Paycor Stadium. The Bengals are listed as favorites in this one, with the

The Denver Broncos will face the Cincinnati Bengals in week 17 of the NFL season at Paycor Stadium on Saturday, December 28th. WATCH: Broncos vs Bengals Live

The Denver Broncos (9-6) visit a streaking Cincinnati Bengals (7-8) team on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at Paycor Stadium. The Bengals have won three games in a row. Date: Dec. 28

The Broncos have a defense equipped to stop their attack, allowing the third-fewest pass yards per play and boasting the best opponent EPA per pass at -.20. But for all the unit’s strengths, the spotlight will be focused on Patrick Surtain II, perhaps the NFL’s premier shutdown corner and the Broncos’ best shot at neutralizing Chase.

Alas, the decision has prompted fan theories that the Chiefs intentionally threw their game against the Broncos in order to avoid facing the Cincinnati Bengals in the playoffs. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor fanned the flames of those theories Saturday night after Cincinnati beat Pittsburgh to remain playoff eligible.

The Denver Broncos will take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17 of the NFL season on Saturday. This prediction is based on 10,000 simulations of the game.