As we head into the final stretch of the 2025 NFL regular season, the Denver Broncos find themselves in unfamiliar but welcome territory - sitting atop the AFC West for the first time in nearly a decade. Not only are they leading the division, but they’re also locked in a tight race with the New England Patriots for the AFC’s No. 1 seed. And with just a few weeks left, every game - not just Denver’s - matters.
For Broncos fans, Week 14 is loaded with scoreboard-watching opportunities. Between divisional rivals clinging to playoff hopes and conference contenders jockeying for seeding, there’s a lot to keep track of. So let’s break down the three games that could have the biggest impact on Denver’s postseason path - and why Broncos fans should be rooting a certain way this weekend.
3. Chaos in the AFC South: Jaguars vs. Colts
Sometimes, rooting for pure chaos is the most strategic move.
The Jaguars and Texans are both trending upward, while the Colts are in a tailspin. Injuries have taken their toll, and Indianapolis is starting to resemble the team many expected they’d be back in September - inconsistent, mistake-prone, and struggling to find rhythm on either side of the ball.
Here’s why this game matters for Denver: a Jaguars win would push the Colts further down the wild card standings, making their head-to-head win over the Broncos less meaningful in the tiebreaker conversation. Jacksonville, meanwhile, remains a distant threat for the top seed, but Denver can handle that directly when the Jags come to town later this month. So if you’re a Broncos fan, you’re hoping the Jaguars take care of business and keep the Colts spiraling.
2. Texans over Chiefs on Sunday Night Football
This one’s simple: eliminate the threat before it becomes dangerous.
Yes, the Texans are surging, and yes, they could be a tough out in January. But the priority here is Kansas City.
The Chiefs are hanging on by a thread, and a loss to Houston could all but shut the door on their playoff hopes. If Kansas City falls to 6-8, their path to the postseason becomes razor-thin - especially with multiple head-to-head losses against other AFC contenders weighing them down.
And let’s be honest - nobody in Denver wants to see Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs, especially not in a wild card scenario where anything can happen. The best way to avoid postseason Mahomes is to make sure he’s watching from home. That’s why Broncos fans should be pulling for the Texans to keep their hot streak alive and deal what could be a knockout blow to the Chiefs.
1. Eagles over Chargers on Monday Night Football
This is the big one.
If the Broncos win in Las Vegas - where they’ll be favored - and the Chargers lose to the Eagles, Denver’s odds of winning the AFC West skyrocket from 86% to 95%. That’s the kind of swing that could effectively lock up the division with a few weeks to spare.
The Chargers are dealing with uncertainty at quarterback, as Justin Herbert’s status remains in question due to a break in his non-throwing hand. If he can’t go, the Chargers would likely turn to Trey Lance, and that changes everything. While Lance is talented, he’s still raw, and throwing him into the fire against a top-tier Eagles defense on Monday Night Football is a tall order.
So for Broncos fans, the rooting guide is clear: fly with the Eagles. A Philadelphia win not only boosts Denver’s divisional hopes, but also creates more separation in the AFC playoff picture.
Bottom Line
The Broncos are in the driver’s seat, but the road ahead is still full of twists. Week 14 offers a chance to tighten their grip on the AFC West and gain ground in the race for the conference’s top seed. But it’s not just about what Denver does - it’s about what happens around them.
So keep an eye on Colts-Jaguars, Texans-Chiefs, and Chargers-Eagles. If things break the right way, the Broncos could be one step closer to securing home-field advantage - and making a serious run in January.