NFL playoff picture: Broncos have less room for error now

After losing to the Texans, the Broncos are now 6-6 with a 3-5 conference record. The playoffs are still possible, but it will be tough.

Following a 22-17 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, the Denver Broncos are now 6-6 with a 3-5 in-conference record.

Making the playoffs is still possible, but the Broncos will face a tougher road to the postseason now. Houston (7-5) has a better record and a head-to-head tiebreaker, and the Indianapolis Colts (7-5) also won on Sunday.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4) did lose in Week 13 and Denver has a head-to-head win over the Cleveland Browns (), but if the Broncos don’t win out, they might need help from other teams to make the playoffs.

Here’s a look at the AFC’s playoff picture after Sunday’s games.

Division Leaders

1. Miami Dolphins (9-3)
2. Baltimore Ravens (9-3)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (8-3)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3)

Wild Card Leaders 

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4)
6. Cleveland Browns (7-5)
7. Indianapolis Colts (7-5)

In the Hunt 

8. Houston Texans (7-5)
9. Denver Broncos (6-6)
10. Buffalo Bills (6-6)
11. Cincinnati Bengals (5-6)

Up next for the Broncos is a road game against the Los Angeles Chargers (5-7) in Week 14. If Denver is going to keep its playoff hopes alive, the Broncos need to get an in-conference victory next week.

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