Six of the seven playoff spots in the AFC are already decided after 17 games in the 2024 NFL season. The Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and Cincinnati Bengals are all fighting for the last wild-card spot in week 18.
Currently, the Broncos (9-7) are in a good position, one game ahead of the Dolphins and Bengals, who are both 8-8. Simply put, if Denver wins or ties their final game against the Kansas City Chiefs, they will secure a wild-card spot.
However, the Chiefs are a strong team, so a Denver win is not guaranteed. It’s possible that the Chiefs will rest some of their key players, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The Bengals and Dolphins must take advantage if the Broncos lose a third straight game. For the Bengals to make the playoffs, they need to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers at Accrisure Stadium on Sunday, January 5, at 8:00 p.m. ET, and hope that neither the Broncos nor Dolphins win their games.
If either of those teams ties, the Bengals could sneak into the playoffs.
If the Broncos lose and both the Bengals and Dolphins win, Miami will make the playoffs because of their better record against AFC teams.
The Bengals will need to take care of their own game, hope the Chiefs, even with some resting players, can defeat the Broncos, and that the Jets, with a 4-12 record, can pull off a surprise victory against the Dolphins.
If the Bengals (or Broncos/Dolphins) make it, they will be the No. 7 seed and will play the Buffalo Bills, who are the No. 2 seed, in the wild-card round.
