Game update: The Broncos lost to the Bengals in a wild game, but more importantly, it means Denver can’t clinch a playoff spot this week. The Broncos will be playing for their playoff lives in Week 18 against the Chiefs backups.
How the Broncos missed clinching a playoff berth in Week 17
Bo Nix: Playoff quarterback? We break down how the Broncos can clinch a spot in the 2025 NFL Playoffs in Week 17.
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Mark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.
The Denver Broncos have not reached the postseason since the 2015 NFL campaign, when Peyton Manning — and a bruising defense — combined to deliver a Super Bowl title to the Mile High City.
However, the Broncos are on the verge of returning to the postseason for the first time in nearly a decade, and can clinch a playoff spot in Week 17.
Here is how Denver can punch their postseason ticket this weekend.
Broncos playoff berth clinching scenarios
The Broncos take on the Cincinnati Bengals on the road Saturday, with kickoff slated for 4:30 p.m. Eastern.
With a win or a tie in that game, Denver is in the playoffs.
However, unlike their AFC West counterparts the Los Angeles Chargers, the Broncos cannot clinch a playoff spot with a loss this week. While the Chargers can get in with losses from the Colts and the Dolphins, the Broncos need to win to clinch a playoff spot. A loss to the Bengals would not only keep Cincinnati’s slim playoff hopes alive, but force Denver to wait until the final week of the season to punch their ticket.
AFC standings entering Week 17
Here are the updated AFC standings, including the results from the games on Christmas Day.
1. z-Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
2. y-Buffalo Bills (12-3)
3. x-Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
4. y-Houston Texans (9-7)
5. x-Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6, wins over DEN)*
7. Denver Broncos (9-6, losses to LA)*
8. Indianapolis Colts (7-8, 6-5 AFC, win over MIA)*
9. Miami Dolphins (7-8, 5-5 AFC, loss to IND)*
10. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8, 4-6 AFC)*
11. New York Jets (4-11) — eliminated
12. Cleveland Browns (3-12, 3-7 AFC. win over JAX) — eliminated
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12, win over TEN, 3-7 AFC, loss to CLE) — eliminated
14. Tennessee Titans (3-12, 3-7 AFC) — eliminated
15. Las Vegas Raiders (3-12, 3-8) — eliminated
16. New England Patriots (3-12, 2-8) — eliminated
Teams with an asterisk (*) have been eliminated from divisional contention
Teams with an (x) have clinched a playoff spot
Teams with a (y) have clinched their division
Teams with a (z) have clinched home-field advantage
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