After defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 24-9 on Sunday, the Denver Broncos suddenly have hope of turning their 2023 season around.
With apologies to Jim Mora, we can’t help but look ahead to the NFL’s playoff picture. Just under halfway through the season, the Broncos are still on the outside looking in, but that could change in the coming weeks.
AFC Playoff picture: Division leaders
1. Kansas City Chiefs (6-2)
2. Miami Dolphins (6-2)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2)
4. Baltimore Ravens (6-2)
There is an extremely tight race for the No. 1 seed in the AFC right now as all four division winners currently have six wins.
Things are more open in the Wild Card competition.
5. Buffalo Bills (5-3)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3)
7. Cleveland Browns (4-3)
The Broncos are outside the playoff picture at the moment, but the only have one fewer win than both Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Here’s a look at the four- and three-win teams who are mathematically still in the hunt for a Wild Card spot.
8. New York Jets (4-3)
9. Cincinnati Bengals (4-3)
10. Houston Texans (3-4)
11. Tennessee Titans (3-4)
12. Los Angeles Chargers (3-4)
13. Indianapolis Colts (3-5)
14. Las Vegas Raiders (3-5)
15. Denver Broncos (3-5)
Denver definitely faces an uphill climb to get back into the playoff picture, but upcoming games against the Browns, Texans, Chargers, Patriots and Raiders could greatly improve the Broncos’ position (if they win, of course).
Just a few weeks ago, we were discussing the possibility of Denver getting the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Now we’re talking about the team’s chances of making the playoffs. Such is life as an NFL fan.