The winner of this game will go to 9-6 and will have the inside track on the #5 spot based on conference record (winner would have only 4 AFC losses).
Cincy hosts the Steelers Week 17 while Denver hosts the 49ers, so odds are the winner will take care of business at home.
Gut feeling is that Denver has a great day running the ball and pulls out a close one. Cincy has a short week and a long road trip ahead. Denver hasn't won at Invesco since October 15th, the drought ends Sunday.
Actually, a Cincy/NE or Denver/NE matchup could be clinched by X-mas night if:
KC loses to Oakland Sat night*
*Only necessary if Denver wins, KC holds division tiebreaker (div record)
NE beats Jax
Indy beats Houston^
Baltimore beats Pittsburgh^
^This will eliminate NE from contention for the #2 or 3 spot (NE loses conference record tiebreaker)
Jets lose to Miami Monday night+
+Jets could slip into the 5 spot by winning out and the Cincy/Denver winner losing in Week 17
Cincy hosts the Steelers Week 17 while Denver hosts the 49ers, so odds are the winner will take care of business at home.
Gut feeling is that Denver has a great day running the ball and pulls out a close one. Cincy has a short week and a long road trip ahead. Denver hasn't won at Invesco since October 15th, the drought ends Sunday.
Actually, a Cincy/NE or Denver/NE matchup could be clinched by X-mas night if:
KC loses to Oakland Sat night*
*Only necessary if Denver wins, KC holds division tiebreaker (div record)
NE beats Jax
Indy beats Houston^
Baltimore beats Pittsburgh^
^This will eliminate NE from contention for the #2 or 3 spot (NE loses conference record tiebreaker)
Jets lose to Miami Monday night+
+Jets could slip into the 5 spot by winning out and the Cincy/Denver winner losing in Week 17