The Denver Gazette sports staff predicts Saturday’s Broncos-Bengals game:

Paul Klee’s pick: Bengals 33, Broncos 17

Anyone else remember the last time Denver played a rain-soaked December game at Cincinnati? It was 2014, and I remember the great Peyton Manning throwing four interceptions. God forbid it gets that bad for Bo Nix, but the Broncos are trending toward a win-or-stay-home season finale against the Chiefs.

Klee’s record: 10-5 overall

Chris Schmaedeke’s pick: Broncos 28, Bengals 27

Can the game against Kansas City just mean nothing for either side? The Broncos need to take care of business on Saturday. And history is going to repeat itself. On a snowy Christmas Eve in 2006, the Bengals missed an extra point with a chance to tie in Denver. The same thing happens in rainy Cincinnati as Denver clinches their postseason berth.  

Schmaedeke’s record: 11-4 overall

Chris Tomasson’s pick: Bengals 30, Broncos 27

Once again, the celebration party will be put on hold as the Broncos fail for the second straight week to clinch their first playoff berth since 2015. But at least that would give them a chance to end nearly a decade of suffering before the home folks next weekend against a Kansas City team that will rest starters.

Tomasson’s record: 11-4 overall

Mark Kiszla’s pick: Bengals 24, Broncos 20

Bo Nix has distinguished himself as a rookie quarterback. But when Joe Burrow is on a roll, there’s not a more dangerous quarterback in the NFL. And Burrow is on a roll. Denver better hope cornerback Riley Moss is stellar in his first game back from injury.

Kiszla’s record: 8-7 overall

Kyle Fredrickson’s pick: Bengals 31, Broncos 28

Uh-oh. The Broncos miss their chance (again) to seal their place in the NFL postseason. They won’t have an answer for dark horse MVP candidate Joe Burrow and the surging Bengals. It puts Denver in a literal must-win scenario to close out the season in Week 18 against the Chiefs. Will K.C. rest its starters?

Fredrickson’s record: 11-4 overall