NFL playoff picture: How the Broncos clinched a playoff spot in Week 15

Update: With their win over the Green Bay Packers, the Denver Broncos are heading back to the postseason.

Previous: The Denver Broncos surprised the NFL world last year, sneaking into the playoff as the No. 7 seed in Bo Nix’s rookie season.

Now they have their sights set higher in 2025.

At the moment, Denver sits atop both the AFC West standings, and the conference overall. While the Broncos cannot clinch the division this week, they can still book their playoff spot this weekend, and inch closer to locking up both the AFC West, and the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

Here is everything you need to know about Denver’s clinching scenarios in Week 15.

As noted above, the Denver Broncos cannot clinch the AFC West this weekend. With the Los Angeles Chargers winning on Monday Night Football, the Chargers remain alive in the division race.

However, the Broncos can lock up a playoff spot.

Here are six ways Denver can clinch a postseason berth:

1. A win against the Green Bay Packers, or
2. A tie against the Packers and a Chargers loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, or
3. A tie against the Packers and a Jacksonville Jaguars loss to the New York Jets, or
4. A tie against the Packers and a Houston Texans loss or tie against the Arizona Cardinals, or
5. A tie against the Packers and an Indianapolis Colts loss or tie against the Seattle Seahawks, or
6. A Houston loss or tie and a Colts loss or tie, as long as both games do not end in a tie.

Even with a loss, the Broncos would remain heavy favorites to win the AFC West. If the Broncos lose to the Packers and the Chargers defeat the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver would maintain a one-game lead over Los Angeles with three games left in the season.

However, Los Angeles defeated the Broncos back in Week 3.

Here are the Broncos’ final four games this season:

Here is Los Angeles’ remaining schedule:

Here are the full AFC East standings ahead of Week 15:

1. Denver Broncos (11-2)
2. Los Angeles Chargers (9-4)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (6-7)
4. Las Vegas Raiders (2-11)

Here are the full AFC standings ahead of Week 15: