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One of the best games of the NFL season Monday night ended just before midnight with the Denver Broncos clinching a playoff berth. That was only one result an overtime classic that had more on the line than any game all season.
Here is all the fallout you need to know from the game:
1. With the victory, the Broncos avoided free-falling out of the playoffs and kept control of the AFC West. They now can clinch the division and a playoff bye next week with a home victory over the four-win Chargers.
2. The Bengals missed a golden opportunity to make the Divisional Round after building a 14-0 lead. Cincinnati no longer has a chance to win the No. 1 seed in the AFC. That's especially damaging because Andy Dalton is not expected to be ready to play on Wild Card Weekend.
The Bengals could still win a playoff bye, however, if they beat the Ravens next and the Broncos slip up against San Diego.
3. The Chiefs narrowly missed jumping into first place in the AFC West. They remain in the No. 5 slot, and could still win the division next week if they win and the Broncos lose.
4. The Colts remain alive! Part one of their ten-part dream to win the AFC South came through with the Broncos win. Unfortunately, Indianapolis might have to start Stephen Morris at quarterback against Tennessee in the season finale.
5. The Texans, meanwhile, presumably will play to win next week with the division not technically clinched yet.
6. The Broncos clinching a playoff spot eliminated one potential path for the Steelers to get into the playoffs. Now it's simple: Pittsburgh needs to beat Cleveland, and hope Rex Ryan exacts revenge in a win over the New York Jets.
7. The Patriots will earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a win in Miami next week. Losing that game early in the day would open the door for the Broncos to earn home-field advantage in the afternoon.
Source http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300...ffpicture_news
Here is all the fallout you need to know from the game:
1. With the victory, the Broncos avoided free-falling out of the playoffs and kept control of the AFC West. They now can clinch the division and a playoff bye next week with a home victory over the four-win Chargers.
2. The Bengals missed a golden opportunity to make the Divisional Round after building a 14-0 lead. Cincinnati no longer has a chance to win the No. 1 seed in the AFC. That's especially damaging because Andy Dalton is not expected to be ready to play on Wild Card Weekend.
The Bengals could still win a playoff bye, however, if they beat the Ravens next and the Broncos slip up against San Diego.
3. The Chiefs narrowly missed jumping into first place in the AFC West. They remain in the No. 5 slot, and could still win the division next week if they win and the Broncos lose.
4. The Colts remain alive! Part one of their ten-part dream to win the AFC South came through with the Broncos win. Unfortunately, Indianapolis might have to start Stephen Morris at quarterback against Tennessee in the season finale.
5. The Texans, meanwhile, presumably will play to win next week with the division not technically clinched yet.
6. The Broncos clinching a playoff spot eliminated one potential path for the Steelers to get into the playoffs. Now it's simple: Pittsburgh needs to beat Cleveland, and hope Rex Ryan exacts revenge in a win over the New York Jets.
7. The Patriots will earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a win in Miami next week. Losing that game early in the day would open the door for the Broncos to earn home-field advantage in the afternoon.
Source http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300...ffpicture_news