The Broncos can almost taste their first playoff appearance since winning the Super Bowl in 2015.
After years of disappointing results, Denver enters Week 17 of the 2024 season at 9-6, a record good enough to hold the AFC’s final playoff position. However, with two games remaining, Sean Payton and the Broncos still have some work to do to lock in their spot.
A loss to the Chargers in Week 16 made things just a little more difficult for Denver, but it will still have more upcoming opportunities to clinch a playoff berth.
What does the Broncos’ path to the postseason look like? Entering a Week 17 matchup against the Bengals, here’s what Denver has to do to make the playoffs.
WEEK 17 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers
Broncos playoff picture
Denver had been rolling in the second half of the season before Week 16, taking a four-game winning streak into its 34-27 loss to the Chargers. That win streak gave the Broncos a strong chance at finishing the year in the postseason, but with two games remaining, there are still three AFC teams fighting for the Broncos’ current seventh seed.
Indianapolis, Miami, and Cincinnati are all outside the current AFC playoff picture but alive in the race.
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Chiefs | 15-1 |
| 2 | Bills | 12-3 |
| 3 | Ravens | 11-5 |
| 4 | Texans | 9-6 |
| 5 | Steelers | 10-6 |
| 6 | Chargers | 9-6 |
| 7 | Broncos | 9-6 |
| 8 | Colts | 7-8 |
| 9 | Dolphins | 7-8 |
| 10 | Bengals | 7-8 |
The Broncos can clinch a playoff berth with a Week 17 win, or tie, over the Bengals. If Denver loses this week, its playoff fate will be decided in Week 18.
With the Broncos holding a two-game advantage over the Colts, Dolphins, and Bengals, just one win will put them in the postseason. Losing out, though, would put Denver at a serious risk of falling out of the picture — but it does hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Indianapolis.
Broncos remaining 2024 schedule
Although one win could put them in the playoffs, the Broncos do have a tough end-of-season schedule.
They’ll face a dangerous Bengals squad still fighting for a playoff spot this week, then take on the AFC’s top-seeded Chiefs in Week 18. However, with Kansas City having nothing to play for, Denver has a much better chance of winning that game.
| Date | Matchup | Opponent’s current record | Time (ET) |
| Dec. 28 | at Bengals | 7-8 | 4:30 p.m. |
| Jan. 5 | vs. Chiefs | 15-1 | TBD |
NFL DRAFT NEWS:
Broncos’ updated playoff chances
Entering Week 17, ESPN’s power index gives Denver a 75.1% chance at making the playoffs.
