Three teams enter Week 17 trailing the seventh-seeded Broncos in the AFC wild card race, but only one of those squads will get a head-to-head matchup against Denver: the Cincinnati Bengals. 

On Saturday evening, the Broncos and Bengals will meet with significant playoff implications on the line. For Denver, the scenario is simple: Win, and the team makes the playoffs for the first time since winning the Super Bowl in 2015. The Bengals, meanwhile, are still looking to crawl out of an early-season hole, needing to win out and get some help in order to barely clinch a postseason spot. 

Denver, 9-6 entering Week 17, has outperformed expectations this season thanks to a strong defense (319.6 yards allowed per game) and an excellent rookie campaign from its first-round quarterback selection, Bo Nix. Through 15 games, Nix has 3,235 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, playing his way into Offensive Rookie of the Year conversations. 

The Bengals, currently looking to get back to .500 at 7-8, are a rare example of a team with an elite offense but lacking the record to show for it. Joe Burrow has had a career year, leading the league in passing yards (4,229) while tied for the most passing touchdowns (39) entering this Week 17 matchup. With a collection of weapons led by WR Ja’Marr Chase, who leads the league with 1,510 receiving yards, Cincinnati is averaging 28.2 points per game.

This AFC matchup will virtually be a playoff game, as the Bengals’ playoff hopes could end with a loss while the Broncos’ Week 18 playoff scenarios will get far more complicated with a loss.

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights as the Broncos and Bengals face off in Week 17. Follow along with the action below.

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Broncos vs. Bengals score

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Broncos vs. Bengals live updates, results, highlights from NFL Saturday game

(All times ET)

Bengals 7, Broncos 3

5:42 p.m. TOUCHDOWN— Cincinnati takes the lead. Burrow goes to Tee Higgins for a quick two-yard score, and with under two minutes remaining in the first half, the Bengals have the advantage in a make-or-break game for their playoff chances. 

Burrow to Higgins puts the @Bengals ahead!

📺: #DENvsCIN on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/TjJ4NxRdzg

— NFL (@NFL) December 28, 2024

5:38 p.m. — Ja’Marr Chase’s 13-yard catch gives Cincinnati 1st & Goal at the two-minute warning for the first half. 

5:36 p.m. — The Broncos punted after going three-and-out, giving Cincinnati a chance to get on the board before halftime. Burrow goes to Andrei Iosivas for a 17-yard gain, pushing the Bengals deep into Denver territory.

5:26 p.m. — Look out. Jonathon Cooper sneaks up on Burrow from behind on 4th & Goal, taking him down to give the Broncos possession. It’s a huge stop for the Denver defense after a 17-play, 68-yard drive from Cincinnati.

Broncos stop the Bengals on 4th and Goal!

Cincy comes up empty after a 17-play drive.

📺: #DENvsCIN on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/PkUyM9IV4m

— NFL (@NFL) December 28, 2024

5:25 p.m. — Chase had an easy opportunity to score in the front-right corner of the end zone, but drops the ball, a rare mistake from the star wide receiver. The Bengals will go for it on fourth down. 

I can’t believe Ja’Marr Chase dropped this pic.twitter.com/S4ukjaSIfT

— Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) December 28, 2024

5:19 p.m. — The Bengals are into the red zone as Brown makes an 11-yard grab on third and short. After a timeout, Cincinnati will have an opportunity to take the lead in this critical matchup. 

End of first quarter: Broncos 3, Bengals 0

5:08 p.m. — As the first quarter comes to an end, Burrow hits his tight end, Mike Gesicki, for 12 yards and a first down. The Bengals will look to tie or take the lead in the second frame. 

5:02 p.m. — Cincinnati gets pressure on Nix on third down, so the rookie attempts to run for a conversion. However, he comes up short, and the Broncos will punt. 

4:55 p.m. — Denver’s defense gets a key first-quarter stop, stuffing Brown on 4th & 1. The officials confirm that Brown was short of the first down, and the Broncos take over. 

4:50 p.m. — Ja’Marr Chase vs. Pat Surtain II should be a fun matchup throughout all four quarters. Right on cue, Chase gives the Bengals a fresh set of downs with a seven-yard pickup, his first catch.

We’ll be watching this matchup all day.

📺: #DENvsCIN on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/oIc7DzEfSs

— NFL (@NFL) December 28, 2024

4:48 p.m. — Chase Brown gets the Bengals’ offense going with a nine-yard run for a first down. He’s approaching the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the 2024 season, coming into this game with 923.

Broncos 3, Bengals 0

4:43 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Nix went to Courtland Sutton on another third down, but this time, the pass falls incomplete. Denver settles for three points on its first drive, with Joe Burrow soon to take the field. 

4:40 p.m. — Nix comes through with a huge third-down conversion on the Broncos’ opening drive, finding Devaughn Vele for 16 yards. Denver is threatening to score some early points against Cincinnati’s defense.

4:37 p.m. — Jaleel McLaughlin gets this one going with a 12-yard gain on the ground, a good start for Denver.

4:34 p.m. — The Broncos and Bengals are ready for this matchup, which in many ways could be considered a playoff game. Denver will get the ball first after choosing to receive. 

4:22 p.m. — Before this game gets started: Here’s how Cincinnati could make the playoffs. It all starts with a win today. 

The @Bengals path to the playoffs starts today.

📺: #DENvsCIN — 4:30pm ET on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/rKYtpa90bL

— NFL (@NFL) December 28, 2024

4:21 p.m. — Bo Nix is ready. The rookie can clinch his first career playoff berth with a win today. 

One playoff spot left in the AFC. Will the @Broncos clinch it today?

📺: #DENvsCIN on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/NvIUPlaNYr

— NFL (@NFL) December 28, 2024

3:43 p.m. — Important stakes for this AFC showdown:

With the Chargers win today, the Bengals, Colts and Dolphins would all be eliminated if the Broncos were to win today in Cincinnati.

With a win over the Bengals, Denver would clinch the final playoff spot in the AFC. https://t.co/uwyJv0Sxdo

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2024

3:40 p.m. — And the inactives list for Denver. CB Riley Moss is officially set to play in his first game since Nov. 24. 

👀 our inactives for #DENvsCIN

📰 » https://t.co/zQYB8Y9Cl3 pic.twitter.com/SWslbiWJNi

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 28, 2024

3:36 p.m. — Under an hour away from kickoff, here’s a look at Cincinnati’s inactives list. Notably, WR Tee Higgins and OT Orlando Brown Jr. are active.

.@KetteringHealth Inactives for #DENvsCIN pic.twitter.com/Ravs8jyNjk

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 28, 2024

Broncos vs. Bengals start time

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

The Broncos and Bengals will kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET from Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

MORE NFL WEEK 17:

What channel is Broncos vs. Bengals on today?

• TV channel: NFL Network (U.S) | TSN 3/4, CTV (Canada)
• Live stream: NFL+, Fubo (U.S.) | DAZN (Canada)

Saturday’s matchup between Denver and Cincinnati will air on NFL Network. Fans can stream the game on NFL+ or Fubo, which offers a free trial to new users.

Canadian viewers can watch the game on TSN 3/4 or CTV, with streaming options including DAZN.

Broncos remaining 2024 schedule

The Broncos will conclude the 2024 regular season with a home matchup against the Chiefs in Week 18. The game will be on Jan. 5, with a kickoff time still TBD.

Bengals remaining 2024 schedule

Cincinnati’s final game of the regular season will be a road game against Pittsburgh. The matchup will be on Jan. 5, with a kickoff time TBD.

WEEK 17 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers