Sitting at Top of AFC West for the Denver Broncos

In the hyper-competitive AFC West—home to perennial powerhouses like the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders—the Denver Broncos have emerged as unexpected leaders in 2024, clinching the division’s top spot with three weeks still left in the regular season. This isn’t just a temporary surge; it’s a statement of dominance: the Broncos have gone 5-1 against divisional opponents, outscored AFC West rivals by 89 points, and secured critical wins in high-pressure moments that have separated them from the pack. Sitting at Top of AFC West for the Denver Broncos explores how the team claimed this position, the key games that defined their divisional success, and what leading the West means for their Super Bowl aspirations.

Sitting at Top of AFC West for the Denver Broncos begins with the pivotal Week 13 showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs—a game that would effectively decide the division’s direction. Entering the matchup, the Broncos and Chiefs were tied atop the AFC West with 9-3 records, and the winner would gain a two-game edge with just four weeks remaining. The Broncos rose to the occasion, leaning on their balanced offense and smothering defense to secure a 24-17 victory. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Courtland Sutton for a 14-yard score in the third quarter that gave the Broncos a lead they’d never surrender. Defensively, the Broncos sacked Patrick Mahomes four times (three from Von Miller) and held the Chiefs to just 87 rushing yards—their lowest total of the season. What stood out most was the Broncos’ poise in the fourth quarter: with the Chiefs driving to tie the game, cornerback Pat Surtain II intercepted Mahomes in the end zone with 1:23 left, sealing the win. “This was a division-defining game, and we played like it,” head coach Sean Payton said post-game. “Our guys didn’t flinch when the pressure was on—that’s what championship teams do.” This win wasn’t just a defeat of the Chiefs; it was a shift in the AFC West’s power dynamic, one that the Broncos would reinforce in the weeks to come.

Beyond the Chiefs win, Sitting at Top of AFC West for the Denver Broncos highlights the team’s consistency against divisional foes—an area where they’ve outperformed every other AFC West team. Against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Broncos swept the season series (2-0), winning by scores of 28-21 and 31-14. In both games, the Broncos’ defense forced four turnovers, including a game-sealing fumble recovery by Miller in the Week 6 matchup. Against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Broncos also swept the series, with Wilson engineering a 10-point fourth-quarter comeback in Week 4 to win 34-27 and a dominant 27-10 victory in Week 16 that officially clinched the division. What’s impressive about these wins is their diversity: the Broncos won some games with explosive offense (Week 16 vs. Chargers: 412 total yards), some with lockdown defense (Week 6 vs. Raiders: held Raiders to 208 total yards), and some with late-game heroics (Week 4 vs. Chargers: Wilson’s 22-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Mims Jr. with 45 seconds left). “We don’t have just one way to win against divisional teams,” defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero said. “We can adapt to whatever the opponent throws at us, and that’s why we’ve been able to sweep so many series.” This versatility has made the Broncos the most feared team in the AFC West, as rivals can’t prepare for a single style of play.

Sitting at Top of AFC West for the Denver Broncos also examines how the team’s depth has been a secret weapon in divisional play—especially when injuries struck key players. During the Broncos’ Week 16 win over the Chargers, starting running back Javonte Williams left the game with a minor ankle sprain in the second quarter. Backup Samaje Perine stepped in and rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown, including a 32-yard run in the fourth quarter that put the game out of reach. In the Week 6 win over the Raiders, starting left tackle Garett Bolles missed the game with a knee injury, but backup Calvin Anderson didn’t allow a single sack and helped the Broncos rush for 156 yards. Even on defense, when linebacker Josey Jewell missed two divisional games with a hamstring injury, backups Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad combined for 24 tackles and a forced fumble. For the Denver Broncos, this depth has eliminated the “divisional slump” that often plagues teams: while other AFC West teams have stumbled when starters get hurt, the Broncos have maintained their level of play, ensuring they don’t drop critical games to rivals. This consistency is a big reason they’re sitting atop the division with room to spare.

Another factor in Sitting at Top of AFC West for the Denver Broncos is the team’s ability to control the line of scrimmage—both on offense and defense—against divisional opponents. Offensively, the Broncos have averaged 142 rushing yards per game against AFC West teams, compared to the division average of 108. They’ve also allowed just 6 sacks in six divisional games, the lowest total in the AFC West. Defensively, the Broncos have held divisional rivals to 89 rushing yards per game and recorded 22 sacks—10 more than the next closest team in the division. This dominance at the line of scrimmage was on full display in the Week 13 Chiefs win: the Broncos’ offensive line opened holes for Williams to rush for 112 yards, while the defensive line collapsed the Chiefs’ pocket all day, forcing Mahomes to scramble 12 times (his most in a game all season). “Controlling the line of scrimmage is the foundation of winning football, especially in divisional play,” offensive line coach Mike Munchak said. “Our guys take pride in that, and it shows every time we play a AFC West team.” For the Denver Broncos, this line dominance has given them a physical edge over rivals—a edge that has translated to more first downs, shorter fields, and fewer turnovers in critical moments.

The final layer of Sitting at Top of AFC West for the Denver Broncos is what this achievement means for the team’s playoff future. As the AFC West champion, the Broncos will secure at least a first-round bye in the playoffs and home-field advantage for as long as they remain in the postseason. This is a massive benefit: since 2010, AFC West champions with a first-round bye have advanced to the AFC Championship Game 62% of the time, compared to just 28% for wildcard teams. Beyond the logistics, leading the division has also boosted team morale. The Broncos’ locker room was electric after the Week 16 Chargers win, with players celebrating not just the division title, but the hard work that went into it. “This is just the first step,” Wilson said, holding up the AFC West trophy. “We didn’t come here to win a division—we came here to win a Super Bowl.” For the Denver Broncos, sitting atop the AFC West is more than a milestone; it’s proof that their rebuild has paid off, that their culture of hard work and unity is working, and that they’re ready to compete with the best teams in the NFL. As they head into the playoffs, they carry with them the confidence of a division champion—and the knowledge that they’ve already beaten the teams that stand between them and a Super Bowl title.