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Tag: Broncos

  • What do the Denver Broncos need to happen to make the NFL playoffs?

    What do the Denver Broncos need to happen to make the NFL playoffs?


    Following their 30-24 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, the Denver Broncos can’t clinch a playoff spot this weekend.

    The Broncos could get some assistance from two teams on Sunday, though. Denver has two possible paths to reach the postseason.

    The simplest path would be to beat (or tie) the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18. With the Chiefs expected to rest their key starters, the Broncos will be expected to take care of business playing at home.

    If Denver does not beat (or tie) Kansas City, the Broncos could still get into the postseason with help from two (or three) other teams.

    Denver would then need the Bengals and Miami Dolphins to lose or tie a game. The Indianapolis Colts could also be a factor down the stretch, but not if both Cincy and Miami drop games.

    The Colts and Dolphins will both play on Sunday and then play again in Week 18. Indianapolis will be without Anthony Richardson due to injury on Sunday, so Joe Flacco will start against the New York Giants. Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (hip) is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns. So Broncos fans should root for the Giants and Browns in Week 17.

    Broncos rooting guide:

    • Colts vs. Giants: New York to win
    • Dolphins vs. Browns: Cleveland to win 

    Fans in Denver will of course hope for a win next week to leave no doubt, but Colts and Dolphins losses in Week 17 would make the playoff picture a bit clearer. If both Indy and Miami fall on Sunday, the Broncos would need a win/tie or a Bengals loss/tie in Week 18 to clinch a playoff spot.





    The Denver Broncos are currently fighting for a spot in the NFL playoffs, but what do they need to happen in order to secure their spot? With a tough schedule ahead, including matchups against division rivals like the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders, the Broncos will need to step up their game in order to make it to the postseason.

    One key factor for the Broncos will be the performance of their defense. The defense has shown flashes of brilliance this season, but they will need to consistently shut down opposing offenses in order to give their team a chance to win. Players like Von Miller and Justin Simmons will need to be at the top of their game in order to keep the Broncos in playoff contention.

    Offensively, the Broncos will need to find more consistency at the quarterback position. Drew Lock has shown flashes of potential, but he will need to limit turnovers and make smart decisions in order to give his team a chance to win. The Broncos also need to establish a strong running game in order to take pressure off the passing game.

    In addition to improving on the field, the Broncos will also need some help from other teams in order to make the playoffs. They will need some key losses from teams like the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts in order to secure a wild card spot.

    Overall, the Broncos have their work cut out for them in order to make the playoffs. But with solid performances from their defense, improved play from their offense, and a little bit of luck, they just might have a shot at making a postseason run.

    Tags:

    Denver Broncos, NFL playoffs, playoff push, postseason hopes, AFC West, wild card race, playoff scenarios, must-win games, playoff chances, playoff contention, road to the playoffs, playoff aspirations

    #Denver #Broncos #happen #NFL #playoffs

  • Bengals stay alive, deny Broncos playoff-clinching victory

    Bengals stay alive, deny Broncos playoff-clinching victory


    • Ben Baby

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      Ben Baby

      ESPN Staff Writer

        Ben Baby covers the Cincinnati Bengals for ESPN. He joined the company in July 2019. Prior to ESPN, he worked for various newspapers in Texas, most recently at The Dallas Morning News where he covered college sports.
        He provides daily coverage of the Bengals for ESPN.com, while making appearances on SportsCenter, ESPN’s NFL shows and ESPN Radio programs.
        A native of Grapevine, Texas, he graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He is an adjunct journalism professor at Southern Methodist University and a member of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA).

    • Jeff Legwold

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      Jeff Legwold

      ESPN Senior Writer

        Jeff Legwold is a senior writer who covers the Denver Broncos and the NFL at ESPN. Jeff has covered the Broncos for more than 20 years, joining ESPN in 2013. He also assists with NFL draft coverage, including his annual top 100 prospects. Jeff has been a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors since 1999. He has attended every scouting combine since 1987.

    Dec 28, 2024, 08:11 PM ET

    CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals kept their playoff hopes alive with a 30-24 overtime win over the Denver Broncos on Saturday at Paycor Stadium as the Broncos were denied a postseason-clinching win for the second consecutive week.

    Receiver Tee Higgins caught his third touchdown pass of the game in overtime to keep the Bengals alive for the playoffs entering the final weekend of the season. The Broncos are still in the best position for the AFC’s seventh and final playoff spot, as they need only a win next week over the Chiefs to qualify. But they were denied Saturday.

    Here are the most important things to know from Saturday night for both teams:

    The streak keeps rolling. And the Bengals are still alive.

    In a playoff-like atmosphere, Cincinnati defeated the Broncos to win its fourth straight game and stay in postseason contention entering Week 18.

    With the win, the Bengals need to win against the Steelers next week and have the Colts and Dolphins each lose at least one of their last two games. They also need the Broncos to lose to the Chiefs next week.

    Cincinnati did its part in a back-and-forth game Saturday night. Higgins caught a 3-yard touchdown pass to end a wild game in which he caught 11 passes for 131 yards and three TDs.

    And the Bengals are still in playoff contention entering Week 18 after a game that will not be forgotten anytime soon.

    Pivotal play: Kicker Cade York had a chance to win the game in regulation and absolve a day of blunders from the team. However, a 33-yard attempt that would have won the game in overtime smacked off the left upright. Instead, the Bengals needed a late score to get the victory.

    Prediction for next week: Devin Cochran will start at right tackle. Rookie Amarius Mims tried to play Saturday despite suffering a broken hand six days ago. Mims started but was unable to make it past the midway point in the second quarter. His right hand was in a full club, like it had been at practice through the week. That could make it difficult for him to start next week against the Steelers.

    QB breakdown: Joe Burrow made his fair share of plays against a very good Denver front that sacked him seven times. After throwing for just 157 yards in 2021 against the Broncos, Burrow had a much bigger performance in his second career game against Denver. He was 39-of-49 passing for 412 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also had a key 19-yard scramble on third-and-14 on a drive that ended with a touchdown. Burrow had to contend with a very good secondary and pass rush and was able to rise to the occasion. — Ben Baby

    Next game: at Pittsburgh Steelers (TBD, Sunday, Jan. 5)

    With a rather clunky overtime loss to the Bengals, the Broncos once again missed an attempt to secure their first playoff berth since the 2015 season.

    Saturday’s defeat completed a rough swing, as back-to-back losses to the Chargers and Bengals sandwiched around Christmas have left the Broncos still thirsting for that long-awaited playoff berth.

    The Broncos have now used up their breathing room — they were 9-5 after a Dec. 15 win over the Indianapolis Colts — and could need help, depending on how things go the rest of the weekend, to earn the last AFC postseason slot. Coach Sean Payton wrote “get to 10” across the top of his practice sheets this past week, referring to a 10th win to seal the playoffs, and the Broncos still aren’t there.

    Most surprising performance: Maybe it shouldn’t be that surprising considering that he plays opposite All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II, but there had to be moments Saturday night when Riley Moss was a bit weary of all the action he was facing. Moss returned to the lineup after missing three games with a sprained right MCL and the Bengals instantly targeted receivers he was covering. Moss had 10 tackles — his most since the season opener — by midway through the third quarter and finished with 14 overall.

    Troubling trend: The Broncos have struggled playing complementary football in recent weeks, especially when the defense could use a breather. After opening the game with a field goal drive, the Broncos’ other first-half possessions went punt, punt and end of half, including a crippling three-and-out after the Denver defense had survived a 17-play Bengals drive without allowing a point. The Bengals scored their first touchdown against a still-winded Broncos defense after the three-and-out.

    QB breakdown: Bo Nix has discovered in recent weeks how thoroughly opposing defenses can adjust to a quarterback in-season. He has found it increasingly difficult to get to the throws in the middle of the field that he was completing effectively to start the season. He didn’t have a completion longer than 16 yards Saturday until his 51-yard touchdown throw to Marvin Mims Jr. with 8:48 to play in the game. Nix also threw an interception to Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt with 2:30 to play, his sixth in the past four games, before responding with a 25-yard game-tying touchdown pass to Mims with eight seconds left in regulation to force overtime. That gave Nix his third game this season with three touchdown passes. — Jeff Legwold

    Next game: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (TBD, Sunday, Jan. 5)



    The Cincinnati Bengals came out swinging in their matchup against the Denver Broncos, determined to keep their playoff hopes alive. Despite being the underdogs, the Bengals put up a strong fight and ultimately denied the Broncos a playoff-clinching victory.

    The game was a nail-biter, with both teams trading blows and the lead changing multiple times. The Bengals’ defense stepped up and made crucial stops, while their offense was able to move the ball effectively and put points on the board.

    In the end, the Bengals emerged victorious with a final score that left the Broncos stunned and their playoff hopes in jeopardy. With this crucial win, the Bengals have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with and are not ready to give up on their playoff dreams just yet.

    Fans of the Bengals are buzzing with excitement and hope for what the rest of the season holds, as their team continues to fight for a spot in the postseason. The Bengals’ resilience and determination in this game prove that they are a team to watch out for in the final stretch of the season.

    Tags:

    1. Cincinnati Bengals
    2. Denver Broncos
    3. NFL playoffs
    4. AFC North
    5. Playoff-clinching victory
    6. NFL news
    7. Football updates
    8. Bengals vs Broncos
    9. Playoff race
    10. NFL standings

    #Bengals #stay #alive #deny #Broncos #playoffclinching #victory

  • NFL scores, live updates: Bengals defeat Broncos to stay alive for AFC’s final playoff spot, Chargers clinch playoffs with win over Patriots

    NFL scores, live updates: Bengals defeat Broncos to stay alive for AFC’s final playoff spot, Chargers clinch playoffs with win over Patriots


    The Los Angeles Chargers clinched a playoff spot on Saturday with a dominant 40-7 win over the New England Patriots in a rainy Foxboro. Six of the seven AFC playoff spots are now secure with the final place in the postseason up for grabs.

    The Denver Broncos had an opportunity to clinch that final spot, but lost 30–24 to the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime. Cincinnati has won four consecutive games and is thus still alive for that last playoff bid in the AFC at 8–8. Joe Burrow leads the NFL in passing yards and took the league lead in touchdown passes with his two scoring throws. Denver drops to 9–7 and has lost two in a row.

    In the NFC, the Rams can win the NFC West with a win over the Arizona Cardinals Saturday night, thanks to clinching a strength-of-victory tie-breaker over Seattle. The Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention last week with a loss to the Panthers. The Rams are closing well, having won their last four games, but they’ve scored just 31 total points in wins over the 49ers and Jets over the past two weeks.

    Live99 updates

    • TOUCHDOWN: Rams 10, Cardinals 6

      On 3rd-and-goal from the 2, Kyler Murray misses Trey McBride in the end zone. But the Rams’ Michael Hoecht is called for defensive holding.

      Two plays later, Murray connects with McBride for a one-yard touchdown.

      However, Chad Ryland’s extra-point kick is blocked so the Cardinals only get six points.

    • Arizona driving toward a score

      Arizona drives into the red zone on a seven-yard catch by Trey McBride, six-yard run by Michael Carter and a nine-yard pass to Michael Wilson.

      Then Kyler Murray rips off a 12-yard run to give the Cardinals a 1st-and-goal at the 7-yard line.

    • Cardinals begin 2nd half on offense

      Cardinals begin the second half on offense and start their drive off promisingly with an eight-yard rush by Michael Carter, 14-yard pass to Trey McBride and a 5-yard grab from Carter.

    • Halftime: Rams 10, Cardinals 0

      Cardinals

      Total offense: 140 yards
      Kyler Murray: 13/19, 124 yards/ 3 rushes, 20 yards
      Michael Carter: 3 rushes, 23 yards
      Trey McBride: 3 catches, 46 yards
      Marvin Harrison Jr.: 2 catches, 38 yards

      Rams

      Total offense: 167 yards
      Matthew Stafford: 8/20, 123 yards
      Kyren Williams: 8 rushes, 35 yards, 1 TD
      Puka Nacua: 6 catches, 88 yards

    • Field goal: Rams 10, Cardinals 0

      Matthew Stafford hits Puka Nacua for one more seven-yard gain. But he throws incompletions on the next two plays and the Rams have to settle for a field goal with 35 seconds left in the first half.

      Joshua Karty nails a 53-yard kick to give L.A. a 10–0 lead with 27 seconds before halftime.

    • Stafford and Nacua moving the ball

      Matthew Stafford has connected on two consecutive passes to Puka Nacua for a combined 35 yards. That moves the Rams to the Arizona 42-yard line with 48 seconds remaining in the first half.

    • Rams get ball back with 1:41 left in 1st half

      After two incompletions by Kyler Murray, the Cardinals have to punt and the Rams have a chance to add to their lead with 1:41 remaining in the first half. They’ll start from their 23-yard line

    • 2-minute warning

      The Cardinals are at midfield at the two-minute warning after a 15-yard reception by Elijah Higgins and four-yard rush by Michael Carter.

    • TOUCHDOWN: Rams 7, Cardinals 0

      The Rams break up the scoreless tie on a one-yard touchdown run by Kyren Williams on 3rd-and-goal.

      That finished off a nine-play, 50-yard drive for the Rams.

    • Matthew Stafford runs for 12 yards

      Of the two quarterbacks in this game, Kyler Murray would be expected to run for a 12-yard gain.

      Matthew Stafford showed otherwise.

      The Rams have a 1st-and-goal at the Arizona 4-yard line.

    • Stafford to Kupp for 29 yards

      Matthew Stafford found Cooper Kupp for a 29-yard gain on 1st-and-10 from the L.A. 40.

      Following two incompletions, Stafford then connected with Puka Nacua for 15 yards.

    • Cardinals punt after Kyler Murray sacked

      Kyler Murray hit a five-yard pass after the ineligible man downfield penalty put Arizona at 2nd-and-15. Murray was then sacked by Byron Young on third down for a six-yard loss.

      Michael Palardy punts 39 yards for the Cardinals and the Rams take over at their 40-yard line.

    • Trey McBride 34-yard catch wiped out by penalty

      Kyler Murray danced in the pocket to buy himself more time to throw against the Rams’ pass rush and it paid off with a 34-yard pass to Trey McBride.

      UNFORTUNATELY, the play was wiped out by an ineligible man downfield penalty on Isaiah Adams.

    • 4 possessions, 4 punts for the Rams

      The Rams go 3-and-out after a false start penalty on Hunter Long put them in a 1st-and-15 hole.

      Matthew Stafford did connect with Puka Nacua for a 15-yard gain on 3rd-and-16, but the Rams had to punt from their 24-yard line.

    • Cardinals stopped on 4th down

      Following a four-yard pass to Greg Dortch on 3rd-and-5 to the Rams’ 14-yard line, the Cardinals decide to go for it on fourth down.

      However, James Conner is stopped for no gain and L.A. takes over.

    • First quarter: Cardinals 0, Rams 0

      The Cardinals end the first quarter with a 34-yard pass from Kyler Murray to Trey McBride, followed by a seven-yard rush by Michael Carter.

      Arizona and L.A. are tied 0–0.

    • Sean McVay politely drops a challenge flag

    • Kyler Murray stumbles into sack

      A sack by Braden Fiske and 17-yard loss from Kyler Murray trying in vain to make a play effectively ended the Cardinals drive.

      On 4th-and-30, Michael Palardy punts 47 yards and the Rams will take over at their 33-yard line.

    • Murray and MHJ making it work

      There’s been some talk this week about Marvin Harrison Jr. having a disappointing rookie season and his need to still form a connection with Kyler Murray.

      But Harrison looked great on this 24-yard snag along the left sideline.

    • Rams punt again

      Two possessions, two punts for the Rams thus far.

      L.A. did get a first down on its second drive, but Matthew Stafford then threw three consecutive incompletions.

      An Ethan Evans 57-yard punt pushes the Cardinals back to their 5-yard line.





    In a thrilling Sunday showdown, the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Denver Broncos to keep their playoff hopes alive for the AFC’s final spot. The Bengals put on a dominant performance, with quarterback Joe Burrow leading the charge with several touchdown passes.

    Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers secured their spot in the playoffs with a crucial win over the New England Patriots. The Chargers showed resilience and determination throughout the game, ultimately coming out on top to punch their ticket to the postseason.

    Stay tuned for more live updates on today’s NFL scores as the playoff race heats up! #NFLscores #playoffrace #Bengals #Broncos #Chargers #Patriots #liveupdates

    Tags:

    NFL scores, live updates, Bengals vs Broncos, AFC playoff race, Bengals playoff hopes, Chargers playoff clinch, Chargers vs Patriots, AFC playoff picture, NFL playoff scenarios, NFL playoff standings

    #NFL #scores #live #updates #Bengals #defeat #Broncos #stay #alive #AFCs #final #playoff #spot #Chargers #clinch #playoffs #win #Patriots

  • Courtland Sutton’s TD catch ties Broncos with Bengals 10-10

    Courtland Sutton’s TD catch ties Broncos with Bengals 10-10


    The Broncos scored their first touchdown of the day with 3:10 remaining in the third quarter. Bo Nix hit Courtland Sutton for a 6-yard score.

    Wil Lutz’s PAT has tied the game 10-10.

    Nix now is 13-of-16 for 91 yards and a touchdown, with Sutton catching two passes for 13 yards. Jaleel McLaughlin has seven carries for 61 yards.

    The Bengals led 7-3 at halftime but added a field goal on an 11-play, 69-yard drive to open the second half.

    They have had four drives, reaching the Cincinnati 22, 2, 2 and 4 but going 1-for-3 in the red zone. The Bengals have outgained the Broncos 231 to 172.

    Zach Allen and Jonathon Cooper each have 1.5 sacks for the Broncos.





    In a thrilling game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Courtland Sutton came up big for the Denver Broncos with a touchdown catch that tied the game 10-10. The Broncos had been struggling to find the end zone, but Sutton’s acrobatic catch in the corner of the end zone provided a much-needed boost for the team. With the game now tied, the Broncos have a chance to rally and secure a crucial victory. Stay tuned for more updates as the game unfolds! #Broncos #CourtlandSutton #TouchdownCatch

    Tags:

    1. Courtland Sutton
    2. Denver Broncos
    3. Cincinnati Bengals
    4. NFL
    5. Football
    6. Touchdown
    7. Tie game
    8. Courtland Sutton touchdown catch
    9. Broncos vs Bengals
    10. NFL highlights

    #Courtland #Suttons #catch #ties #Broncos #Bengals

  • Is Courtland Sutton playing today? Broncos WR’s status explored for Week 17

    Is Courtland Sutton playing today? Broncos WR’s status explored for Week 17


    When the Denver Broncos visit the Bengals in Cincinnati in Week 17, wide receiver Courtland Sutton will try to get back on the scoresheet in a game that has significant postseason ramifications for both teams.

    The veteran wideout will be looking to help the Broncos beat Cincinnati in Week 17, as that would help Denver clinch its first postseason berth since 2015.

    Exploring Courtland Sutton’s availability status for Week 17

    Wide receiver Courtland Sutton is not dealing with any injury concerns and is expected to be in action when the Denver Broncos visit the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Saturday.

    Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!

    The 29-year-old receiver has been durable this season, as he is yet to miss any game for the Broncos. Barring any late injury setbacks in pregame warm-ups, he is expected to make his 16th appearance of the season on Saturday.

    The Broncos have a relatively clean injury report going into the game, as only one player on the team is carrying an injury designation into Week 17. RB Tyler Badie is dealing with a back injury that saw him designated “questionable” for the game, even though he didn’t miss any practice during the week.

    Has Courtland Sutton been good this season?

    As he continues to gel with rookie quarterback Bo Nix, Courtland Sutton has played some of his best football of the season in recent weeks. He has caught 29 passes from 42 targets for 359 yards and three scores in his last five games.

    This season, Sutton has been above average overall, with great physical qualities and the ability to occasionally make big plays. But because of his inconsistent output and dependence on particular circumstances to perform well, he hasn’t been regarded as one of the best receivers.

    Sutton has caught 71 passes for 928 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 15 games this season.

    How to watch Denver Broncos vs. Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17?

    The game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos is one of three games scheduled for Saturday of the second to last week of the 2024 NFL regular season.

    Ahead of the 2024 season, Denver was not thought to be a postseason contender, but under rookie quarterback Bo Nix, the team has become one of the NFL’s biggest surprise packages. The Bengals, on the other hand, were predicted to contend in the AFC this season, but inconsistent defensive performances have left them outside the playoff picture in Week 17.

    To remain in the running for the playoffs, the Bengals need to win on Saturday at Paycor Stadium. Meanwhile, a victory for the Broncos would guarantee them a spot in the postseason. If the club loses today but beats the Kansas City Chiefs, who have been guaranteed the No. 1 seed in the AFC, in Week 18, they will still qualify for the playoffs.

    We’ve included all the information you need to watch the game, including the TV schedule, below:

    Date and Time: Saturday, Dec. 28 at 4:30 p.m. ET

    Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

    TV: NFL Network

    Announcers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Trent Green (color analyst), Melanie Collins (sideline reporter)

    Live streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV’s NFL Sunday Ticket, FuboTV