The Cincinnati Bengals' season won't be decided in the final week of the regular season. In years past, this means that they're just already eliminated from the playoffs. But this year, it's because they've already clinched the NFC North title.

The Bengals' seed hasn't yet been determined but they can still afford to coast in their Week 18 matchup against the Cleveland Browns in order to be in tip-top shape for the postseason. Backup quarterback Brandon Allen will step in for Joe Burrow, who will rest this Sunday. Burrow nearly suffered a knee injury in the Bengals' Week 17 win and now the team is playing it safe.

Burrow broke the news to Allen that he would start for the Bengals this week before head coach Zac Taylor could. He did so in a pretty funny way.

Allen will face a Browns team that is already out of playoff contention. The 29-year-old is in his second year with the Bengals after spending his rookie season with the Denver Broncos and starting five games for Cincinnati last year. He will make his ninth career start.

Burrow, meanwhile, can let his body heel after a Pro Bowl-worthy season. He has wrecked defenses all year with Pro Bowl wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. The dynamic Bengals offense has a very bright future ahead of it. They could really start making noise with a playoff run this season. Burrow resting this weekend improves the odds of that happening.