Bengals vs. Broncos live updates: Score, highlights for Week 17 ...

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Bengals vs Broncos live updates Score highlights for Week 17

Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season features a tripleheader on Saturday. The Cincinnati Bengals host the Denver Broncos with playoff hopes on the line.

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The penultimate week of the 2024 NFL regular season rolls into Saturday. In the middle game of Saturday's NFL tripleheader, the Cincinnati Bengals (7-8) will host the Denver Broncos (9-6).

Week 17 kicked off with two AFC clashes on Christmas Day, and the football-packed holiday schedule saw the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears square off on "Thursday Night Football." The action continues on Saturday with three games and the Bengals and Broncos are sandwiched in between.

The Bengals must win to stay alive in the NFL's playoff race. Meanwhile, Denver can clinch a postseason berth with a win.

The Broncos weren't considered a postseason contender heading into the season, and it is one of the NFL's biggest surprises, led by rookie quarterback Bo Nix. They'll head to Cincinnati with one clear objective. Win and in.

There's a slight glimmer of hope for the Bengals who started the season slowly. Cincinnati is one of the NFL's most interesting conundrums. Their top-flight offense is firing on all cylinders, led by Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase. The Bengals have scored the sixth-most points per game (28.2) but have allowed the fifth-most (26.2).

If the Bengals miss the playoffs, they will become the team with the second-most points in NFL history to not make the postseason

This matchup promises to have a playoff atmosphere with both teams fighting for a wild card spot.

USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights and more from the Saturday matchup between the Bengals and Broncos below. All times are Eastern.

Cincinnati's first drive of the third quarter ended on Denver's 3-yard line. This time, head coach Zac Taylor opted to take the points rather than go for it on another fourth down.

York's 22-yard field goal gave the Bengals a 10-3 lead with 9:07 left in the third quarter.

The Broncos weren't able to get anything done on offense after giving up the game's first touchdown.

Entering the second half, the Bengals will receive the kickoff with a chance to extend their lead.

Higgins' two-yard touchdown reception was also quarterback Joe Burrow's 40th touchdown pass of the season. It gave Cincinnati its first lead of the game with under two minutes to play in the first half.

It's now 7-3 Bengals with 1:49 to go in the second quarter.

Cincinnati had four tries at the end zone from the 1-yard line after a defensive pass interference call on Denver cornerback Riley Moss.

But the Broncos can smell the postseason -- if they win this game, they're in -- and stuffed the Bengals on four consecutive plays, including a fourth-down sack of quarterback Joe Burrow to force a turnover on downs.

Denver takes over on its own 5-yard line with 6:18 left in the first half.

The Broncos had to punt it away on their second possession, and the Bengals will have the ball on their own 39-yard line for a first-and-10 play when the second quarter begins.

Denver kicker Will Lutz's 30-yard field goal is still the lone difference in this game.

Playing in a must-win game to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Bengals went for it on fourth-and-1 on the Denver 22-yard line, just outside of the red zone.

Linebacker Nik Bonitto stopped Cincinnati running back Chase Brown at the line of scrimmage, and now the Broncos will take over in their own territory with 4:23 left in the first quarter. Denver still leads 3-0.

The Broncos' first drive of the game stalled after 10 plays and 58 yards, leaving Denver at the Bengals' 12-yard line on fourth down.

Lutz knocked through a 30-yard field goal to give the Broncos a 3-0 lead with 9:45 left to play in the first quarter.

Bengals vs. Broncos start time

Date: Saturday, December 28, 2024
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET

The Bengals and Broncos game will continue the Week 17 tripleheader on Saturday of the 2024 NFL season at 4:30 p.m. ET.

Bengals vs. Broncos TV Channel

Cable TV: NFL Network

It's going to be a mild evening in December in the Queen City. According to the AccuWeather forecast, it will be near 60 degrees at kickoff. There’s a chance of rain with wind gusts maxing out at 16 mph. There’s a 50% chance of rain at kickoff increasing closer to 70% at 7 PM.

The Bengals need four things to happen to make the playoffs. They are as follows: