However, the Broncos are on the verge of returning to the postseason for the first time in nearly a decade, and can clinch a playoff spot in Week 17. Here is how Denver can punch their postseason ticket this weekend. The Broncos take on the Cincinnati Bengals on the road Saturday, with kickoff slated for 4:30 p.m. Eastern.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos will clinch a playoff spot with one week remaining in the regular season if they defeat the Cincinnati Bengals on the road Saturday. The victory, if it happens, would come nine years to the day after the Broncos clinched their last postseason appearance … with a win against the Bengals.

Denver is currently the seventh and final seed in the AFC, setting up a nightmare scenario for the first round of the NFL playoffs. If the season ended today, the Broncos would face the Buffalo Bills (the No. 2 seed) in the Wild Card round.