NFL playoff picture: Broncos need help to reach postseason

Broncos fans should root for a Patriots win over the Bills and a Cardinals win over the Colts this week.

After falling to the Cleveland Browns 15-10 in Week 15, the Denver Broncos are now 7-7 and well outside the Wild Card standings in the AFC.

If the Broncos are going to reach the playoffs, they will need to win their final three games of the season and get some help from other teams. Here’s a look at the current playoff teams in the conference.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (10-4)
2. New England Patriots (9-5)
3. Tennessee Titans (9-5)
4. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)
5. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)
7. Buffalo Bills (8-6)

There are five teams standing between Denver and the seventh and final seed in the AFC, including the Baltimore Ravens (8-6) and Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6-1). With those teams ahead of them, the Broncos will not control their own destiny in the hunt for a postseason berth.

This week, fans in Denver should root for a Patriots win over the Bills and a Cardinals win over the Colts. The Broncos, of course, also have to beat the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday to keep their playoff hopes alive.

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