Chiefs' Plan for Starters in Week 18 vs. Broncos Is Bad News for Bengals

The Bengals need the Broncos to lose if there's any hope to qualify for the playoffs.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid talks to quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) / Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The Cincinnati Bengals kept their candle of posteason hope burning bright on Saturday night with an epic back-and-forth overtime win over the Denver Broncos. With the victory, Cincy remained alive in the AFC playoff race, but a lot still needs to go right for Joe Burrow's squad to see postseason play.

In order to make the playoffs, the Bengals must win their Week 18 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Indianapolis Colts or Miami Dolphins must lose one of their final two games and the Broncos must lose to the Kansas City Chiefs. Thanks to an NFL Sunday news break from FOX's Jay Glazer, that last item feels more unlikely than ever to come to fruition.

On Sunday morning, the insider revealed the Chiefs plan to rest their starters for the final game of the season. And, Kansas City will be generous to designate anybody who's dealing with even the lightest of injuries as out.

"They're not playing any of their starters," Glazer said on FOX NFL Sunday. "Anybody who's banged up. Anybody like Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones. If you've got a hangnail and you're a starter, you're not playing for Kansas City. They want to make sure they go into the playoffs healthy."

It's time for the Inside Scoop with @JayGlazer:
▫️ Chiefs expected to rest key starters in Week 18
▫️ Jalen Hurts has not cleared concussion protocol; Kenny Pickett will start for the Eagles
▫️ Entire Cowboys coaching staff's contracts expire in two weeks pic.twitter.com/dl1q4nIOc4

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 29, 2024

As laid out above, it's a long shot for the Bengals to squeeze into the playoffs. But this development knocks their already-slim chances down a few notches. Bo Nix and Denver's roster knows they'll be playing for their playoff lives and won't let up against the Carson Wentz-led backups for KC.

Of course, how the Broncos do doesn't matter if the Bengals can't take care of their own business and if the Dolphins and Colts win out. There will be a lot to watch next Sunday.

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