Broncos Playoff Picture: Denver’s Updated Possibilities of making the NFL Playoffs in 2023

That the Broncos are even in playoff contention on Christmas Eve could be considered a step in the right direction for the franchise. Denver entered the season looking to snap a seven-year playoff drought, but a 1-5 start quickly put those hopes on the backburner. The Broncos have since rallied back into the race, even surging above .500 on two different occasions.

When you start 1-5, however, the margin for error becomes razor thin. Recent losses to the Texans and Lions have kept Denver’s hopes dim, even if the long-term outlook is improving. A win over the Patriots would keep the Broncos firmly in contention in a crowded AFC wild-card picture.

Because of their position, the Broncos will also be scoreboard-watching in Week 16. A handful of other AFC results could impact Denver’s odds as the Broncos look for some help.

Here’s a closer look at where the Broncos stand in the AFC playoff picture and which teams Denver fans will want to root against in Week 16.

Broncos playoff picture

The Broncos remain on the outside looking in entering Week 16. Despite their midseason surge, the Broncos haven’t finished any week in possession of a playoff spot.

Denver sits 11th in the AFC at 7-7 but is still lingering just one game behind the Bengals and Colts in the wild-card race. While a one-game deficit with three games to play sounds manageable, a crowded race leaves little margin for error for the Broncos. There are four 8-6 teams competing for the final two wild-card spots at the moment, and the Steelers (7-7) are also ahead of Denver thanks to a better conference record.

Here’s a look at the updated AFC wild-card standings.

A 4-5 conference record is negatively affecting the Broncos, though they close out the season against three AFC teams with a losing record and have a chance to turn it into a strength.

If head-to-head tiebreakers come into play, the Broncos have the advantage over the Bills but do not have the tiebreaker over the Texans. If Denver finishes in a tie that involves any other team currently 8-6 or 7-7, a head-to-head tiebreaker cannot be used.

The objective for the Broncos is simple: win out. Finishing 9-8 and reaching the playoffs is unlikely, though not impossible — Denver cannot be eliminated in Week 16 even with a loss.

The Broncos can also still win the AFC West, though that would require Denver winning out and Kansas City losing to both the Raiders and Chargers. The Broncos can be eliminated from AFC West contention with a loss or a Chiefs win in Week 16.

Broncos remaining schedule 2023

The Broncos have the benefit of a fairly light schedule over the final three weeks of the season, facing two teams that have already made a head coaching change and another with the worst record in the AFC.