Keep Hope Alive

It's the time of year where hope and faith become important. Yes, it's Week 16. If the Broncos beat the Bengals Sunday, their playoff stock will be a mile high. John Clayton rates postseason odds

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Jay Cutler and the Broncos are smack dab in the wild-card hunt at 8-6.

AFC

• Denver Broncos (8-6): Rookie quarterback Jay Cutler and the Broncos will be headed to the playoffs if they can beat the Bengals Sunday and follow that up with a home win against the 49ers. Even if the Broncos make the playoffs and lose in the wild-card round, Mike Shanahan will have given his quarterback of the future a taste of postseason football.

• Cincinnati Bengals (8-6): From the very beginning, Marvin Lewis knew this wasn't going to be an easy season. He had the AFC's toughest schedule. Eight of his players have been arrested in the past year. His linebacking corps has been ravaged at times with injuries. He's been without as many as three starting offensive linemen at times. And it doesn't get easier. He probably needs wins at Denver and against the Steelers to make the playoffs.