CINCINNATI (AP) — The Denver Broncos could have clinched a playoff spot last week, but let the opportunity slip away when they lost to the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Broncos (9-6) will have another chance to lock up their first postseason appearance since 2015 when they go on the road to play the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday.

Again, if the Broncos win, they're in.

“We know we’re playing a good football team, a team that’s been in the playoffs and kind of been where we’ve aspired to go," Denver coach Sean Payton said. "All the details (matter). We’re going to have to play — not a perfect game — but we’re going to have to play one of our best games. I think our players understand that.”

Is there extra pressure to win this one after blowing a lead against the Chargers?

“There’s definitely pressure, but I think that’s something guys at this level will thrive on as well, the pressure and competition," Broncos tight end Adam Trautman said. “There’s a lot of pressure. We have to get in, first. And we know that. So yeah, there’s definitely pressure. But we welcome it."

The Bengals (7-8) have a chance to make the playoffs, too, although they'll need a lot more help from other teams.

Cincinnati will have to start by beating the Broncos on Saturday and then finish with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Broncos will be a test for the Bengals, whose seven wins this season have come against teams that currently have sub-.500 records.

Every game is one-and-done for Cincinnati now.

“It feels good to play in big games," quarterback Joe Burrow said.

On a roll

Burrow and receiver Ja'Marr Chase are in the midst of one of their best seasons. Burrow set an NFL record last week with seven consecutive games throwing for at least 250 yards and three touchdowns. That broke the 2007 mark set by former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady during their 16-0 regular season.

The fifth-year quarterback is among the NFL leaders in most passing categories. Meanwhile, Chase has a chance to win the receiver's triple crown — most catches, yards and touchdowns.

Chase said he has his priorities in order.

“I gotta worry about winning the game to be in the playoffs,” the fourth-year pro said. “Me running a triple crown is not putting money in my pocket. Me making playoffs, that’ll put some money in my pocket.”

Chase vs. Surtain

The game features one of the best matchups of the NFL season with Chase facing Broncos superstar cornerback Patrick Surtain II.

Surtain got the better of Chase the only other time they squared off in the NFL, back in 2021 when Surtain held Chase to a single catch for 3 yards. But the Bengals won 15-10, a springboard to their Super Bowl run.

“That was early in my career. Rookie year? Yeah, it was a good game,” Surtain said. “They came in with a high-striking offense and we knew that we had to eliminate the explosives, eliminate their top threat. Ja’Marr, he’s a great player, one of, if not the best, receivers in the league.”

Both Chase and Surtain are having career years.

Surtain has allowed just 234 receiving yards. That’s the fewest allowed by any cornerback through 16 weeks in a season since at least 2016. He’s tied his career high with four interceptions and has only been targeted an average of 3.4 times a game while giving up an average of two catches per game.

Chase Brown rising

Chase Brown is staking his claim to be the Bengals No. 1 running back of the future. The second-year back took over as the featured runner after Zack Moss, who was signed as a free agent to replace Joe Mixon, went on injured reserve on Nov. 5 with a neck injury. Brown has a combined 188 yards and a touchdown in the past two games. He's averaging 4.4 yards per carry and is just 77 yards away from a 1,000-yard season.

Sack masters

Entering Week 17, Denver leads the NFL with 51 sacks this season, including seven players with three or more sacks, five of which have at least five sacks this season. They're led by linebacker Nik Bonitto with 11 1/2 sacks and linebacker Jonathan Cooper with eight. Meanwhile, Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson leads the NFL with 13 1/2 sacks.

Broncos cornerback Riley Moss is set to return after missing a month with knee injury

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Cornerback Riley Moss is “good to go” for the Denver Broncos' crucial game at Cincinnati on Saturday.

“He's doing good,” coach Sean Payton said Thursday. “He'll be ready to go.”

The Broncos (9-6), who would end their eight-year playoff drought with a win or a tie against the Bengals (7-8), have sorely missed the second-year pro from Iowa since he sprained an MCL against Las Vegas in Week 12.

The Broncos allowed 26.3 points per game during his absence. With Moss in the lineup opposite superstar Patrick Surtain II, Denver gave up just 16.8 points per game.

Aside from allowing defensive coordinator Vance Joseph to go back to employing more man coverage, Riley's return is expected to give the Broncos defense back its bite.

“I think he's got an awfully competitive juice, yeah, I would say you definitely felt his absence, not just physically as a player but also his presence," Payton said.

Earlier this week, Surtain said, “it’s great to have him back” at practice. “I mean, you talk about a guy who was playing lights-out before the injury, but to see him back out there with confidence, out there practicing, getting his mojo back, it brings a lot of confidence to the team.”

Moss has enjoyed a breakout season in Denver with 71 tackles, eight pass breakups and an interception. He played in 14 games as a rotation player his rookie season after recovering from core muscle surgery that relegated him to special teams and spot duty in 2023.

Moss wasn't available for comment Thursday as he was receiving treatment during the locker room access period.

Moss has been the perfect complement to Surtain because of the physical play, bravado and the production he provides as opposing offenses shy away from Surtain.

“It's going to be really good” having him back on the field, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto said. “I mean, I know the work that he's been putting in to get back and just knowing the type of season that he's had I'm just happy that he's going to be able to come back against an opponent like this.”

Denver's defense hasn't been the same without Moss.

The Broncos allowed 32 points to the Cleveland Browns when former teammate Jerry Jeudy caught nine passes for a career-best 235 yards. Jonathan Taylor’s unforced fumble at the goal line as he was about to score a 41-yard touchdown and give Indianapolis a 20-3 lead saved the Broncos in Week 15 and allowed Denver to seize momentum and get the victory. And Denver couldn’t stop Justin Herbert, who led the Los Angeles Chargers back from a double-digit third-quarter deficit for a 34-27 win last week.