Following their 30-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, the Denver Broncos are still waiting to clinch their first playoff berth since 2015.
The Broncos have three possible routes to clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs in Week 18. The first and simplest path is to beat the Kansas City Chiefs at home. With the Chiefs expected to rest their key starters, getting a win should be a feasible task for Denver.
The second possible clinching scenario is the Broncos tying KC. It’s not a likely outcome, but it’s among the possibilities.
The third playoff-clinching scenario involves two other teams. If Denver loses to the Chiefs, the Broncos can still clinch a postseason berth if the Miami Dolphins and Bengals both lose or tie their games in Week 18. Denver won’t get in if they lose and either of the Dolphins or Bengals win.
Broncos playoff scenarios
- Broncos beat Chiefs
- Broncos tie Chiefs
- Bengals and Dolphins both lose or tie
Dolphins win.
Broncos can clinch NFL playoffs in Week 18 with a win/tie vs. Chiefs
OR
Bengals AND Dolphins losses/ties in Week 18 (has to be both)
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) December 30, 2024
The Bengals will face the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road and the Dolphins will face the New York Jets on the road this week.
Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain said he is “very confident” the team will get the job done and punch its playoff berth in Week 18.
“I think we’ve got a great bunch, a great team that’s resilient, that’s eager,” Surtain said. “Obviously, the agony of defeat is not a good feeling, but we just need to focus on next week and make sure we secure this victory, because that’s what counts — establishing ourselves in this tournament. We’ll see where it goes from there.”
Denver will be feeling the pressure leading up to this week’s game against KC.
“There’s pressure every week,” coach Sean Payton said. “This is what we do it for — meaningful games here. I think it’s important that you embrace it, and it is exciting. There’s nothing worse than playing games in the last part of the season where there’s nothing at stake. So I think it’s something we’ll all be excited about.”
Going into their final three games of the season, the Broncos only needed one win to clinch a playoff spot. With one game remaining, they’re still seeking that one win.
“It’s been like this for two weeks,” quarterback Bo Nix said. “So you just have to put everything in to go win the game.”
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