Tag: Playoff Picture

Where do the Steelers stand in the crowded AFC playoff race?

The AFC playoff picture is tightening as the Pittsburgh Steelers secure their spot, with seeding battles heating up among top contenders.

Steelers fans rejoice! Although the matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles left much to be desired for the Black and Gold faithful, the Pittsburgh Steelers clinched a playoff spot following losses by the Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15. However, the playoff race remains extremely tight, with the Steelers currently holding the number three seed in the AFC.

The AFC playoff standings are beginning to take shape. The 13-1 Kansas City Chiefs hold the number one seed, followed by the other AFC divisional leaders: the 11-3 Buffalo Bills, the 10-4 Pittsburgh Steelers, and the 9-5 Houston Texans.

After the divisional leaders, seeded one through four, the AFC wild-card teams are as follows: the fifth-seeded 9-5 Baltimore Ravens, the sixth-seeded 9-5 Denver Broncos, and the seventh-seeded 8-6 Los Angeles Chargers.

Currently in the hunt are three AFC teams locked in a three-way tie, with identical 6-8 records: the Indianapolis Colts, the Miami Dolphins, and the Cincinnati Bengals.

An intriguing aspect of the playoff race is that, if the season ended today, the 10-4 Pittsburgh Steelers would host the 9-5 Denver Broncos in the wild-card round.  Furthermore, the Steelers can also secure the AFC North divisional title with a win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

NFL playoff picture: What are Chargers’ chances of making postseason after loss to Buccaneers?

Find out how the loss to the Buccaneers affected the Chargers’ chances of playing beyond the regular season.

The Chargers lost to the Buccaneers on Sunday. They fell to 8-6, as did their percentage of making the playoffs.

According to NFL.com, Los Angeles has an 88% chance of making the playoffs. With the Bolts’ loss, they dropped to the seventh seed, and the Broncos moved into the sixth seed.

Here’s a look at the division standings entering Week 16:

1. Chiefs (13-1) *clinched division*

2. Broncos (9-5)

3. Chargers (8-6)

4. Raiders (2-11)

And a look at the playoff picture:

*There are (7) available Playoff spots

1. Chiefs (13-1)

2. Bills (11-3)

3. Steelers (10-4)

4. Texans (9-5)

5. Ravens (9-5)

6. Broncos (9-5)

7. Chargers (8-6)

8. Colts (6-8)

9. Dolphins (6-8)

10. Bengals (6-8)

AFC playoff matchups if the season ended today:

  • No. 2 Bills vs. No. 7 Chargers
  • No. 3 Steelers vs. No. 6 Broncos
  • No. 4 Texans vs. No. 5 Ravens

How the Broncos can clinch a playoff berth on Thursday

If the Broncos beat the Chargers on Thursday, they will clinch their first playoff berth since they won Super Bowl 50 in 2015.

Following their 31-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts (6-8) on Sunday, the Denver Broncos (9-5) are now just three days away from potentially punching their ticket to the NFL playoffs.

The Broncos are currently the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoff race and if they beat the Los Angeles Chargers (8-6) on Thursday Night Football in Week 16, Denver will clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2015.

The Colts (6-8), Miami Dolphins (6-8) and Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) are the three teams just outside the AFC playoff picture at the moment. If the Broncos beat the Chargers in L.A., Denver would secure its 10th win, putting the team out of reach of those clubs that can’t top nine wins this season.

Here’s a look at the standings going into Week 16.

AFC Playoff Picture

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (13-1)
  2. Buffalo Bills (11-3)
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)
  4. Houston Texans (9-5)
  5. Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
  6. Denver Broncos (9-5)
  7. Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)

In the Hunt

  1. Indianapolis Colts (6-8)
  2. Miami Dolphins (6-8)
  3. Cincinnati Bengals (6-8)

The Broncos have already secured their first winning season since 2016. Now they’ll look to secure their first postseason berth since they won Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season. Bring on TNF.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

ESPN updates Seahawks’ playoff odds after Week 14 win

ESPN updates Seahawks’ playoff odds after Week 14 win

The Seattle Seahawks captured a massive victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, winning their Week 14 contest 30-18. Mike Macdonald’s squad has now successfully completed the regular-season sweep over the Cardinals. Seattle has won four consecutive games, including three straight divisional ones. Their postseason odds have drastically improved as a result.

The Seahawks now possess approximately a 55.5% chance to make the playoffs, according to ESPN’s Analytics department. Their predictive model gives Seattle a 51.8% chance to win the NFC West division title, which they currently lead by one game over the Los Angeles Rams. Macdonald’s surging squad must remain focused. A defeat on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers in Week 14, paired with a Rams win over the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, would drop Seattle out of postseason seeding altogether, according to ESPN team reporter Brady Henderson.

A defeat to the Cardinals on Sunday would have dropped Seattle’s postseason odds to 11%, according to FTN Fantasy’s simulation model. It was a necessary victory for Macdonald’s squad within the NFC West. Seattle is now 3-2 within the division.

Seattle’s lone remaining divisional contest is versus those pesky Rams in Week 18. The NFC West could be decided on primetime. A victory over the Packers on Sunday would further strengthen the Seahawks’ postseason chances. Furthermore, all 12’s should be rooting for the 49ers to defeat the Rams on Thursday Night Football.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

NFL playoff picture: What are Chargers’ chances of making postseason after loss to Chiefs?

The Chargers are still in a good position to play beyond the regular season despite their loss to the Chiefs.

The Chargers lost to the Chiefs on Sunday night. They fell to 8-5, as did their chances of making the playoffs slightly.

According to NFL.com, Los Angeles has a 90% chance of making the playoffs. With the Bolts’ loss, they dropped back down to the sixth seed, and the Ravens moved to the fifth seed.

Here’s a look at the division standings entering Week 15:

1. Chiefs (12-1) *clinched division*

2. Chargers (8-5)

3. Broncos (8-5)

4. Raiders (2-11)

And a look at the playoff picture:

*There are (7) available Playoff spots

1. Chiefs (12-1)

2. Bills (10-3)

3. Steelers (10-3)

4. Texans (8-5)

5. Ravens (8-5)

6. Chargers (8-5)

7. Broncos (8-5)

8. Colts (6-7)

9. Dolphins (6-7)

10. Bengals (4-8)

AFC playoff matchups if the season ended today:

  • No. 2 Bills vs. No. 7 Broncos
  • No. 3 Steelers vs. No. 6 Chargers
  • No. 4 Texans vs. No. 5 Ravens

What are the Broncos’ chances of making the NFL playoffs?

The Broncos are getting closer and closer to the NFL playoffs. Here’s how Denver can clinch a postseason berth in 2024.

Following a 41-32 win over the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football, the Denver Broncos improved to 8-5 and they remain the seventh and final playoff seed in the AFC.

Results elsewhere in Week 13 were mixed. The Miami Dolphins (5-7) lost on Thanksgiving and the Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) lost on Sunday, but the Indianapolis Colts (6-7) and Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) won this week.

The Broncos will play the Colts, Chargers and Bengals right after their bye, so Denver controls its playoff fate. As Andrew Mason of DenverSports.com has pointed out, if the Broncos beat the Colts in Week 15, Denver will need just one more victory and one Dolphins loss to clinch a playoff berth.

Here’s a look at AFC’s playoff picture following Week 13.

AFC Playoff Picture

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)
  2. Buffalo Bills (10-2)
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)
  4. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
  5. Houston Texans (8-5)
  6. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
  7. Denver Broncos (8-5)

In the Hunt

  1. Indianapolis Colts (6-7)
  2. Miami Dolphins (5-7)
  3. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)

So, what are the Broncos’ chances of reaching the postseason?

The Athletic gives Denver a 79% chance of reaching the playoffs. ESPN has given the team a 76% chance. DVOA has the most optimistic outlook, giving the Broncos an 82.5% chance to reach the postseason.

Denver will now have a bye in Week 14 before hosting the Colts in Week 15. The Broncos will then have back-to-back road games against the Chargers and Bengals before hosting the Chiefs in their season finale.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

NFL playoff picture: What are Chargers’ chances of making postseason after win over Falcons?

The Chargers are in excellent position to play beyond the regular season.

The Chargers beat the Falcons on Sunday, improving their record to 8-4 and their chances of making the playoffs.

According to NFL.com, Los Angeles has a 94% chance of making the playoffs. With the Bolts’ win and the Ravens’ loss to the Eagles on Sunday, L.A. moved back up to the fifth seed.

Here’s a look at the division standings entering Week 14:

1. Chiefs (11-1)

2. Chargers (8-4)

3. Broncos (7-5)

4. Raiders (2-10)

And a look at the playoff picture:

*There are (7) available Playoff spots

1. Chiefs (11-1)

2. Bills (10-2)

3. Steelers (9-3)

4. Texans (8-5)

5. Chargers (8-4)

6. Ravens (8-5)

7. Broncos (7-5)

8. Colts (6-7)

9. Dolphins (5-7)

10. Bengals (4-8)

AFC playoff matchups if the season ended today:

  • No. 2 Bills vs. No. 7 Broncos
  • No. 3 Steelers vs. No. 6 Ravens
  • No. 4 Texans vs. No. 5 Chargers

Will Broncos make the NFL playoffs this season? John Elway chimes in

“I think they’re starting to hit stride,” John Elway said of the Broncos, who he believes are on track to make the NFL playoffs this fall.

The Denver Broncos are 6-5 with six games remaining this season and team legend John Elway believes they will snap an eight-year playoff drought this fall.

“Yeah, I do,” Elway said during an interview with Broncos Wire about Dupuytren’s contracture and his treatment. “I think I think they’re starting to hit stride. I think, obviously the disappointing loss in Kansas City just goes to show you that they can play; they’re two-time defending world champions.

“And so, in Kansas City to play the way (Denver) played, I think they’re continuing to get better and better each week, especially offensively and defensively. They’ve been great (on defense) all year.

“So if they can — there’s so many variables, as you know, we got to stay healthy — and if we can stay healthy and have that ball bounce our way, there’s no question that they’re a playoff team and hopefully they continue to improve like they have.”

John Elway spoke with Broncos Wire in a three-part interview this week. Elway discussed Dupuytren’s contracture in Part 1 and rookie quarterback Bo Nix in Part 2. Elway won three Super Bowls in Denver — two as a quarterback and a third as an executive. He stepped down from his role with the Broncos following the 2022 season.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

What are the Broncos’ chances of making the NFL playoffs?

DVOA gives the Broncos a 66.8% chance of making the NFL playoffs this season.

Following a big win over the Atlanta Falcons (6-5) on Sunday, the Denver Broncos (6-5) remain in position to make the NFL playoffs in 2024.

The Broncos seem unlikely to catch the Kansas City Chiefs (9-1) in the AFC West, but securing one of the AFC’s three Wild Card seeds is within reach.

If the season ended today, Denver would make the playoffs as the conference’s seventh and final seed. Here’s a look at the standings following Week 11.

AFC Playoff Picture

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)
  2. Buffalo Bills (9-2)
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2)
  4. Houston Texans (7-4)
  5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)
  6. Baltimore Ravens (7-4)
  7. Denver Broncos (6-5)

The Broncos will have to fend off the Indianapolis Colts (5-6) and Cincinnati Bengals (4-7) to reach the postseason. Denver will host Indy (Week 15) and travel to Cincinnati (Week 17) later this season.

So, what are the Broncos’ chances of pulling it off?

The Athletic gives Denver a 49% chance of reaching the postseason. ESPN is slightly more optimistic with a 51% chance. DVOA has the most optimistic outlook, giving the Broncos a 66.8% chance to reach the playoffs.

Up next for Denver is a road game against the Las Vegas Raiders (2-8), followed by a home game against the Cleveland Browns (2-8). After that, the Broncos will have a bye ahead of the final four games of the season.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

NFL playoff picture: What are Chargers’ chances of making postseason after win over Bengals?

The Chargers are in great position to play beyond the regular season.

The Chargers beat the Bengals on Sunday, picking up their fourth consecutive victory. They improved to 7-3, and their chances of playing beyond the regular season.

According to NFL.com, Los Angeles has a 91% chance of making the playoffs. With the Bolts’ win and the Ravens’ loss to the Steelers on Sunday, L.A. moved up to the fifth seed.

Here’s a look at the division standings entering Week 12:

1. Chiefs (9-1)

2. Chargers (7-3)

3. Broncos (6-5)

4. Raiders (2-8)

And a look at the playoff picture:

*There are (7) available Playoff spots

1. Chiefs (9-1)

2. Bills (9-2)

3. Steelers (8-2)

4. Texans (6-4)

5. Chargers (7-3)

6. Ravens (7-4)

7. Broncos (6-5)

8. Colts (5-6)

9. Dolphins (4-6)

10. Bengals (4-7)

AFC playoff matchups if the season ended today:

  • No. 2 Bills vs. No. 7 Broncos
  • No. 3 Steelers vs. No. 6 Ravens
  • No. 4 Texans vs. No. 5 Chargers