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 almost 100 yards in Cincinnati’s 24-6 win over Cleveland.
The win puts the Bengals at 7-8 and still alive in the AFC playoff picture. A huge game awaits on Saturday when the 9-6 Denver Broncos come to town. The Bengals need to win to stay alive.
They then would need the Broncos to lose to the Chiefs in Week 18, but the Chiefs may have the No. 1 seed wrapped up by then, meaning they could rest their starters in Week 18. They may even clinch the top seed before the Bengals and Broncos play on Saturday — the Chiefs clinch the top seed with a win Wednesday over the Steelers.
The Bengals also still need both the Colts and Dolphins to lose a game as both scored victories in Week 16 to keep their own playoff hopes alive. The Colts visit the 2-13 Giants while the Dolphins head to Cleveland to face the Browns. In Week 18, the Colts host the Jaguars and the Dolphins visit the Jets.
One step at a time for the Bengals. The next step is knocking off the Broncos on Saturday.
AFC Playoff Standings
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
