Not that it was likely even before the game, but the Denver Broncos‘ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday made it very hard for the Broncos to attempt to win the AFC West in 2024.
The Chiefs are now 9-0 and Denver (5-5) is also behind the Los Angeles Chargers (6-3). Only the lowly Las Vegas Raiders (2-7) are ranked lower in the division going into Week 11.
While an AFC West title is very unlikely, the Broncos still have a legitimate chance to reach the NFL playoffs as a Wild Card team. If the season ended today, Denver would make the postseason as the AFC’s seventh and final seed. Here’s a look at how the conference shakes up after Week 10.
AFC playoff picture
- Kansas City Chiefs (9-0)
- Buffalo Bills (8-2)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2)
- Houston Texans (6-4)
- Baltimore Ravens (7-3)
- Los Angeles Chargers (6-3)
- Denver Broncos (5-5)
The Broncos are just above the Indianapolis Colts (4-6) and Cincinnati Bengals (4-6). Denver will play both the Colts (home) and Bengals (away) later this season, so the team controls its playoff fate.
Can they do it?
The Athletic gives the Broncos a 33% chance to reach the postseason, projecting Denver to finish with a 9-8 record.
ESPN gives the Broncos a 32% chance to reach the postseason (they have the Bengals above them with a 37% chance).
The Indianapolis and Cincinnati games will have huge playoff implications for Denver, but first things first, the next order of business is a home game against the NFC’s Atlanta Falcons (6-4) in Week 11.
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