For the Bengals to get into the playoffs, they need the Denver Broncos to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets to beat the Miami Dolphins. Both of the games will be played during the early afternoon 4:25 p.m. time slot. Cincinnati will know if their season will continue by 8 p.m. or so on Sunday night.

The Bills will host the Broncos, Dolphins or Bengals in the wild-card round. Here's what makes all three teams potentially tough matchups.

Anyone associated with the Bengals or the team's fans didn't have to scoreboard watch for long on Sunday before the team's playoff hopes were dashed.

Brian Callahan and the Tennessee Titans secured the top pick with a 3-14 record. The New England Patriots held that spot prior to their regular-season finale, but a win over the Buffalo Bills dropped them to No. 4 at 4-13. The Cleveland Browns (3-14) finished with the No. 2 pick and the New York Giants (3-14) were slotted No. 3.

Three quarterbacks seem to be vying for the NFL's MVP award this season: Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and

The Bengals took care of their own business, winning five in a row to close out the season, but they were officially eliminated from playoff contention when the Broncos crushed the Chiefs.

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) is chased out of bounds by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai (58) during the first half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) AP

The Cincinnati Bengals made a valiant effort to sneak into the playoffs thanks to a five-game winning streak to finish 9-8. Unfortunately, the Chiefs' backups were no match for Bo Nix and the Broncos,

Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills would've awaited the Bengals in the wild-card round if Cincinnati had gotten help from the Chiefs.

The Buffalo Bills are headed back to the playoffs. Once again, the Bills will do so as the champion of the AFC East division. It's the fifth-straight year Buffalo has taken that crown, and in doing so in 2024,

The Bengals may fulfill those Super Bowl expectations after all. Or they may go down as one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL.