Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jon Heath

How the Broncos can clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs today

The Denver Broncos squandered an opportunity to clinch a playoff berth last Thursday when they lost to the Los Angeles Chargers, but a postseason berth is still within reach.

With two games remaining, the Broncos would clinch a playoff spot with one more win. Up next is a road game against the Cincinnati Bengals followed by a home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The path for Denver is simple — one win equals a playoff spot — but the Broncos could back into the postseason even if they lose out.

Denver (9-6) can’t finish worse than 9-8 this season. The three teams below them in the AFC’s Wild Card race are the Bengals (6-8), Miami Dolphins (6-8) and Indianapolis Colts (6-8). If those three teams lose or tie any of their three remaining games, they won’t be able to catch the Broncos.

So Denver could clinch a postseason berth as early as today if the Bengals, Dolphins and Colts all lose or tie in Week 16.

Broncos fans rooting guide Week 16

  1. Browns beat Bengals (11:00 a.m. MT)
  2. Titans beat Colts (11:00 a.m. MT)
  3. 49ers beat Dolphins (2:05 p.m. MT)

All three teams failing to win is not a likely scenario, but it’s possible. Let’s watch some football.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.