What are the Broncos, Dolphins, Bengals odds of making the playoffs after Week 17?

The 2024 NFL regular season is rapidly coming to a close as Week 17 is officially in the books. As the new year dawns, there is one playoff berth remaining up for grabs in the AFC. Three of the four division titles have been determined, with the AFC North to be determined in Week 18. The Pittsburgh Steelers sit behind the Baltimore Ravens for that spot, but they have already clinched a wild card berth.

The lone wild card berth remaining will go to one of the Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, or Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals beat the Broncos 30-24 in overtime while the Dolphins beat the Browns 20-3. That brought Denver to 9-7, while Miami and Cincinnati are each 8-8.

The Broncos hold a one game lead with one game to go, and thus have the best odds to clinch the final wild card berth. The Bengals are the first of the three teams to play in Week 18. They travel to face the Steelers on Saturday evening. If they lose, they are eliminated. If they win, they remain alive if they get some help.

The Broncos and Dolphins both play in the 4:25 p.m. ET window on Sunday. The Broncos host the Kansas City Chiefs while the Dolphins travel to face the New York Jets. If the Broncos win or the Dolphins and Bengals both lose, Denver clinches the final playoff berth. If the Dolphins win and the Broncos lose, Miami gets the playoff berth, regardless of the Bengals result. If the Bengals win and the Broncos and Dolphins both lose, Cincinnati claims the final playoff berth.

As of this article publishing, the Bengals are a 1.5-point favorite on the road against the Steelers, the Broncos are a 9.5-point favorite at home against the Broncos, and the Dolphins are a 1.5-point road favorite against the Jets. Denver is a big favorite because Kansas City is expected to rest numerous starters, having already clinched the No. 1 seed.