Playoff Scenarios Unfold for the Denver Broncos

With four weeks remaining in the NFL regular season, the Denver Broncos find themselves in a familiar yet precarious position: on the cusp of the playoffs, with their destiny partially in their hands but also dependent on the outcomes of other teams. Sitting at 9-5, the Broncos currently hold the sixth seed in the AFC wildcard race, but the landscape shifts weekly—one win could solidify their spot, while one loss could push them out of contention. Playoff Scenarios Unfold for the Denver Broncos explores the multiple paths the team can take to reach the postseason, from winning the AFC West title to clinging to a wildcard berth, and the key factors that will determine which scenario becomes reality. For Broncos fans, this time of year is a mix of excitement and anxiety—a reminder that every play, every game, and every opponent’s result matters.

Playoff Scenarios Unfold for the Denver Broncos begins with their most ambitious path: winning the AFC West. The Broncos trail the division-leading Kansas City Chiefs (11-3) by two games, with a head-to-head matchup against the Chiefs in Week 16 at Arrowhead Stadium. To claim the division title, the Broncos would need to win that Week 16 game and hope the Chiefs lose at least one of their other remaining games (against the Raiders in Week 15 and the Bengals in Week 17). Even if the Broncos sweep their remaining games (vs. the Patriots, Chiefs, Chargers, and Raiders), they’d still need the Chiefs to drop two contests—a tall order, given Kansas City’s recent dominance in the division. “Winning the West is our goal, but we know it’s a long shot,” said Broncos head coach Sean Payton. “We have to focus on beating the Patriots first, then take the Chiefs game one play at a time. Anything can happen in this league, but we can’t rely on other teams to lose—we have to control what we can control.” For the Broncos, the divisional title path is unlikely but not impossible; it would require a historic finish and a Chiefs collapse, but it remains a motivational tool for the team.

Playoff Scenarios Unfold for the Denver Broncos delves into the more realistic wildcard scenarios, which currently offer the Broncos their clearest path to the playoffs. As the sixth seed, the Broncos are one game ahead of the seventh-seeded Indianapolis Colts (8-6) and two games ahead of the eighth-seeded Jacksonville Jaguars (7-7). To lock up a wildcard spot, the Broncos need to win at least two of their remaining four games—especially if the Colts and Jaguars win out. A critical matchup comes in Week 17 against the Los Angeles Chargers (8-6), another wildcard contender; beating the Chargers would not only give the Broncos a win but also eliminate a direct competitor. “The wildcard race is a dogfight,” said Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. “Every week, we’re checking the scores of the Colts and Jaguars—you can’t ignore it, but you also can’t let it distract you. Our job is to win our games, and if we do that, we’ll be in.” The Broncos’ remaining schedule favors this path: they face two teams with losing records (the Patriots and Raiders) and two playoff contenders (the Chiefs and Chargers). Winning both games against the Patriots and Raiders would likely be enough to secure a wildcard spot, even if they lose to the Chiefs and Chargers.

Playoff Scenarios Unfold for the Denver Broncos examines the tiebreaker scenarios that could make or break the Broncos’ playoff hopes, as multiple teams in the AFC are clustered around the wildcard spots. The NFL uses a complex set of tiebreakers, starting with head-to-head results, then division record, then common opponents record, and finally strength of schedule. The Broncos currently hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Colts (they beat Indianapolis 27-17 in Week 8) but trail the Chargers in head-to-head (they lost to Los Angeles 31-24 in Week 5). If the Broncos and Chargers finish with the same record, the Chargers would claim the higher seed. Similarly, if the Broncos and Jaguars tie, Jacksonville holds the head-to-head tiebreaker (they beat Denver 24-20 in Week 3). “Tiebreakers are something we talk about in meetings,” said Broncos general manager George Paton. “We know we need to win the games we can to avoid relying on them, but we also have to be aware of how they stack up. Beating the Colts earlier this season was huge—it gives us a buffer if we end up in a tie with them.” For the Denver Broncos, tiebreakers add another layer of pressure; every win against a divisional or common opponent isn’t just a win—it’s insurance for a potential tie scenario.

Playoff Scenarios Unfold for the Denver Broncos explores how injuries and teammate performance could impact their playoff push. The Broncos have stayed relatively healthy this season, but key players like wide receiver Courtland Sutton (ankle) and linebacker Josey Jewell (knee) have missed practice time recently, raising concerns about their availability for critical games. Sutton, who leads the team in receptions and receiving yards, is particularly vital—without him, Nix would lose his top target, and the offense would struggle to move the ball consistently. On the defensive side, Jewell’s return from a knee injury would boost a run defense that has slipped in recent weeks (allowing 120+ rushing yards in three of the last four games). “Injuries are always a wildcard this time of year,” Payton said. “We have to have depth ready to step up—guys like wide receiver Tim Patrick and linebacker Drew Sanders need to be prepared to play more snaps if needed.” For the Denver Broncos, staying healthy and getting key players back will be just as important as winning games; a single injury to a starter could derail their playoff momentum.

Playoff Scenarios Unfold for the Denver Broncos wraps up with the emotional and historical stakes of making the playoffs. The Broncos haven’t reached the postseason since 2015, when they won Super Bowl 50, and a return would end a nearly decade-long drought. For a franchise with a rich playoff history—seven Super Bowl appearances, three championships—the playoff drought has been frustrating for fans and players alike. Making the playoffs this year would also validate the team’s investment in Nix, who has grown into a reliable starter, and Payton, who was hired to turn the franchise around. “This means everything to our fans,” said Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich. “They’ve stuck with us through the tough years, and we want to give them something to cheer about in January. Making the playoffs isn’t the end goal—it’s the start—but it would be a huge step forward for this team.” For the Denver Broncos, the unfolding playoff scenarios are more than just a mathematical exercise; they’re a chance to rewrite the narrative of recent seasons and reestablish the franchise as a contender. As the regular season winds down, the Broncos know one thing for sure: every game from here on out is a playoff game—and they’re ready to fight for their spot.