With two games left in the regular season, the Broncos are facing the real possibility of losing their grip on getting a first-round playoff bye and winning the AFC West.
After back-to-back losses, Denver’s season is on the line starting with Monday’s game against Cincinnati. The Broncos are the only team in the NFL that can still be a No. 1 seed or miss the playoffs altogether. In fact, they could go into Week 17 with the same scenario.
The Patriots and Bengals have already clinched playoff spots. That leaves seven teams competing for the AFC’s remaining four playoff spots. Three of those teams (Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville) can only win the AFC South, which leaves four teams competing for three spots. A breakdown:
AFC playoff standings:
1. New England (12-2)
2. Cincinnati (11-3)
3. Denver (10-4)
4. Houston (7-7)
5. Kansas City (9-5)
6. Pittsburgh (9-5)
Still in the hunt: New York Jets (9-5, wild card), Indianapolis (6-8, AFC South), Jacksonville (5-9, AFC South).
The Broncos play host to Cincinnati on Monday and San Diego in their final regular season game. A look at the Broncos’ playoff scenarios.
• If the Broncos win out. Denver would win the AFC West at 12-4 and clinch a first round playoff bye due to the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Bengals.
They would get the No. 1 overall seed if the Patriots lose their remaining two games (at Jets, at Dolphins).
• If the Broncos split their final two games. Denver would finish 11-5 and Kansas City would win the AFC West if it won out, with victories at home over Cleveland and Oakland. The Chiefs would win the tiebreaker due to a 5-1 division record. The Broncos have lost division games to the Raiders and Chiefs.
The Broncos would still be in good shape to get a wild-card playoff bid but their fate would be in the hands of others.
Pittsburgh has games left at Baltimore and at Cleveland. The Jets host New England, then travel to Buffalo. The Steelers and Jets are 9-5 and if each won out it would leave the Broncos sidelined for the playoffs at 11-5. Pittsburgh would hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Denver by virtue of its victory Sunday. The Jets would get in as the No. 6 seed by virtue of having the better conference record.
• If the Broncos lose their last two games.
This would be a disaster scenario for Denver. The Chiefs would only need to win one of their remaining two games to clinch the AFC West title.
As far as a wild card bid, the Broncos at 10-6 would need either the Jets or the Steelers to lose both of their remaining games for Denver to make the playoffs.
Cameron Wolfe: 303-954-1891, cwolfe@denverpost.com or @CameronWolfe
