Broncos Eye AFC's Top Seed: What Needs to Happen in Week 16
The Denver Broncos are charging toward the postseason with one clear goal in mind: securing the AFC’s No. 1 seed and locking down home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. And if you’ve ever seen a playoff game at Mile High, you know why that matters.
Altitude, cold, and a raucous crowd? That’s a tough ask for any visiting team.
Now, while the Broncos don’t need everything to fall into place this weekend, there is a scenario - a long shot, sure - where they could clinch the top seed as early as Week 16. It’s a bit of a parlay, but it’s not impossible. Here’s how it could all shake out.
Step One: Broncos Beat the Jaguars
This one’s obvious. Denver has to win.
That’s the foundation of everything. The Broncos have rattled off 11 straight wins - a scorching streak that’s put them in pole position - but they’ve got a real fight coming with Jacksonville.
The Jaguars aren’t just showing up to play spoiler. They’re red-hot themselves, riding a five-game win streak, and Trevor Lawrence is coming off arguably the best performance of his young career.
Five touchdown passes, one rushing score, and a dismantling of the Jets last week? That’s not a team you overlook.
So yeah, Denver’s got to bring it. Because if they slip here, the rest of the dominoes don’t matter.
Step Two: Chargers Lose or Tie Against the Cowboys
Despite Denver’s 12-2 record, they haven’t even clinched the AFC West yet - and that’s because the Chargers are right on their heels at 10-4. In fact, one of Denver’s two losses this season came at the hands of L.A.
The two teams still have one more head-to-head left, so if the Chargers win this weekend and Denver doesn’t, the divisional race gets a whole lot tighter. But if Dallas can handle business - especially at home, where they’ve been strong - it gives Denver some much-needed cushion.
Broncos fans should be watching this one closely and pulling for the Cowboys to deliver a little breathing room.
Step Three: Patriots Fall to the Ravens
New England had been neck-and-neck with Denver in the race for the top seed, but last week’s loss to Buffalo knocked them back a bit. Still, they’re very much in the hunt - unless they drop another game.
Enter Baltimore. The Ravens haven’t been at their best this season, but they’re still in the playoff picture and they’ll have home-field advantage at M&T Bank Stadium. If they can take down the Patriots, it’s another big step toward Denver locking up the No. 1 spot.
Step Four: Bills Lose or Tie Against the Browns
Here’s where things get dicey. Of all the pieces that need to fall into place, this is the one with the longest odds.
The Bills have been one of the most complete teams in the league, while the Browns... well, they’re just trying to find some footing. Cleveland does have home-field advantage, but that’s about all they’ve got going for them in this matchup.
It’s the most unlikely leg of the equation, but stranger things have happened in December football. Weather, turnovers, fluky bounces - it doesn’t take much for a game to swing.
Bottom Line: Take Care of Business
At the end of the day, the Broncos can’t control what happens in Dallas, Baltimore, or Cleveland. What they can control is their own performance.
Win, and they keep the pressure on everyone else. Lose, and suddenly the door swings wide open for the Chargers, Patriots, and Bills to make a move.
The AFC is stacked, and the margin for error is razor-thin. But if Denver handles its business and gets a little help along the way, they could be sitting atop the conference by the end of Week 16 - with the road to the Super Bowl running through the Rocky Mountains.
And that’s exactly where they want it.