Broncos Have Two Ways to Clinch Playoff Berth in Week 18

Win-and-in, or get some help.

Dec 28, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton takes the field before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images / Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Following consecutive gut-punching losses, the 9-7 Denver Broncos remain thisclose to locking up their first playoff berth since 2015.

Entering Week 18, the Broncos have two ways to secure the No. 7 seed and final Wild Card spot in the AFC — beating (or tying) the Kansas City Chiefs at home being the most straightforward. The team would also clinch with a Dolphins loss/tie to the Jets and a Bengals loss/tie to the Steelers.

One AFC playoff spot left. Scenarios for Week 18:

•Broncos win vs. Chiefs → Denver is in.

•Broncos lose, Dolphins win vs. Jets → Dolphins are in.

•Broncos & Dolphins lose, Bengals win vs. Steelers → Bengals are in.

•All three lose → Broncos get in.

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 30, 2024

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The Broncos opened as eight-point betting favorites for Sunday's home contest against the one-seed Chiefs, who are expected to rest their starters — including Patrick Mahomes — after attaining homefield advantage throughout the postseason.

With the taste of last week's overtime defeat at Cincinnati still lingering, Denver again could (and should) stamp its own ticket rather than relying on others to sneak in the tournament.

“I told them after the game. I said, ‘This is part of it. We don’t get to choose.’ You guys have seen the big sign when you enter that locker room area. You have to keep fighting," Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Monday. "I like the grit on this team and I like the leadership on this team. I think these guys will respond appropriately.”

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