When the Denver Broncos host the Kansas City Chiefs at 2:25 p.m. MT on Sunday (Jan. 5), they will know the result of the Cincinnati Bengals-Pittsburgh Steelers game.
The NFL announced the full Week 18 schedule on Sunday night and the Bengals-Steelers matchup was scheduled for Saturday (Jan. 4), one day before Denver’s regular season finale.
That Cincy-Pittsburgh game could have playoff implications for the Broncos. If Denver fails to beat KC, the Broncos would need both the Bengals and Miami Dolphins to lose in Week 18 in order to clinch a playoff berth.
So a Bengals loss wouldn’t clinch a spot for Denver, but it would give the team a little security. Conversely, if Cincy wins on Saturday, the Broncos could still get into the postseason with a win or tie against the Chiefs.
If the Bengals end up winning, Denver can’t make the NFL playoffs with a loss to KC. Meanwhile, the Dolphins’ game against the New York Jets has been set for 2:25 p.m. MT, the same time as the Broncos-Chiefs game.
It will all come down to the Sunday afternoon window for Denver.
