If the Broncos win, they’ll end their long playoff drought. If they falter and Miami wins, the Dolphins are in. If both lose, the Bengals complete the comeback.
The Denver Broncos are in the driver’s seat for the final AFC wild-card spot heading into Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season. To wrap up that final spot, they’ll have to get a win over the Kansas City Chiefs, who’ve already locked up the No. 1 seed and will be resting key starters, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
While that sounds appetizing to Denver, that’s probably not the case for the Miami Dolphins, who need a win over the New York Jets — coupled with a Denver loss to Kansas City — to claim the AFC’s final wild-card spot. The Dolphins got ready for this game thinking Tyler Huntley would be the starter in place of an injured Tua Tagovailoa. Huntley led Miami to a Week 17 win in Cleveland to keep the Dolphins’ playoff chances alive, Also, after their win over Pittsburgh on Saturday night, the Cincinnati Bengals are still in the mix, and would be the last AFC wild-card team with losses by Denver and Miami today.
Also wrapping up the regular season in the late Sunday window, the Los Angeles Rams can ensure the No. 3 seed in the NFC with a win over the Arizona Cardinals, and the Los Angeles Chargers close their regular season at the Las Vegas Raiders before opening the playoffs on the road as a wild-card team.
NFL Week 18 Sunday schedule
Early window
Buccaneers 27, Saints 19
Panthers 44, Falcons 38
Eagles 20, Giants 13
Patriots 23, Bills 16
Colts 26, Jaguars 23
Texans 23, Titans 14
Bears 24, Packers 22
Commanders 23, Cowboys 19
Late window
Chiefs vs Broncos — 4:25 p.m. ET | CBS
Dolphins vs. Jets — 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox
49ers vs Cardinals — 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox
Seahawks vs. Rams — 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox
Chargers vs. Raiders — 4:25 p.m. ET | CBS
Sunday Night Football
Vikings vs. Lions — 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC
