The Denver Broncos extinguished the Cincinnati Bengals' playoff hopes, and claimed the AFC's No. 7 seed in the NFL playoffs.

With the victory, the Patriots lost the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft. They currently own the No. 4 overall pick after finishing the season with a 4-13 record. Mayo was asked to give a response to Patriots fans who might have been upset by the team winning a game they would have greatly benefitted from losing.

Cook still had something to play for one touchdown shy of tying Simpson's record. He was given four carries inside the Patriots' 15-yard line on Buffalo's second possession, including one from the 1-yard line, but was unable to get into the end zone.

As a result, it is officially the offseason in Cincinnati and a second straight season without a postseason appearance. The silver lining is the Bengals will pick near the middle of the draft as a result. The Bengals will pick one spot higher than they did in the last draft.

Brian Callahan and the Tennessee Titans secured the top pick with a 3-14 record. The New England Patriots held that spot prior to their regular-season finale, but a win over the Buffalo Bills dropped them to No. 4 at 4-13. The Cleveland Browns (3-14) finished with the No. 2 pick and the New York Giants (3-14) were slotted No. 3.

For the Bengals to get into the playoffs, they need the Denver Broncos to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets to beat the Miami Dolphins. Both of the games will be played during the early afternoon 4:25 p.m. time slot. Cincinnati will know if their season will continue by 8 p.m. or so on Sunday night.

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) is chased out of bounds by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai (58) during the first half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) AP

QB Nix started 18 of 18 before throwing incompletion on final pass of first half. Sutton reached final $500,000 incentive by surpassing 1,065 receiving yards.

Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills would've awaited the Bengals in the wild-card round if Cincinnati had gotten help from the Chiefs.

See the Bengals' 2025 opponents below. Baltimore Ravens. Cleveland Browns. Pittsburgh Steelers. Chicago Bears. Detroit Lions. New England Patriots. New York Jets. Jacksonville Jaguars. Arizona Cardinals.

The Bengals have only one way into the NFL playoffs and can only face one team if they make it in. Here's a look at their wild-card scenarios.