Currently on top of the AFC West standings, the Broncos control their own playoff destiny. All four AFC West teams are still alive in the division title chase, but the Broncos are in the lead.
The NFL will release its official playoff scenarios tomorrow morning, but it is believed that Denver can put itself into the postseason tournament with a win at Buffalo coupled with an Oakland loss or tie at Kansas City on Saturday, which would clinch the AFC West title. A Denver tie plus and Oakland loss and a San Diego loss or tie would also clinch the division.
A Denver win combined with losses by the New York Jets (vs. NYG), Cincinnati (vs. Ari.) and a loss or tie by Tennessee (vs. Jac.) would clinch at least a Wild Card berth for the Broncos.
Regardless of the Week 16 results, Denver can clinch a place in the postseason with a win in Week 17 at home against Kansas City. A win in that game would mean that Denver finished the season at least 9-7, which could leave the Broncos tied with Oakland or San Diego, should either team finish the season 2-0. The Broncos would earn the division crown based on tiebreakers against either team.
In the event that the Broncos finished the season tied for first place with Oakland, the tiebreakers would go as follows:
Head-to-head record: The teams are even at 1-1 on the year
Division record: The teams would be tied at 4-2 in the AFC West
Record in common games: Denver would win on this tiebreaker, having finished 7-5 in common games, while Oakland would be 6-6.
Should Denver find itself tied with San Diego atop the division, the tiebreakers would go as follows:
Head-to-head record: The teams are even at 1-1 on the year
Division record: Denver would win on this tiebreaker, having finished 4-2 in the AFC West, while San Diego would be 3-3.
Below are the full NFL tie-breaking procedures between two clubs:
1. Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
5. Strength of victory.
6. Strength of schedule.
7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
9. Best net points in common games.
10. Best net points in all games.
11. Best net touchdowns in all games.
Below are the full NFL tie-breaking procedures between three clubs:
(Note: If two clubs remain tied after third or other clubs are
eliminated during any step, tie breaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format).
1. Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games among the clubs).
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
5. Strength of victory.
6. Strength of schedule.
7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
9. Best net points in common games.
10. Best net points in all games.
11. Best net touchdowns in all games.
-Stuart Zaas
Tags: Playoff Scenarios
The one thing that’s got to be a concern for Fox is playing an early game on Saturday across the country so he’ll have to leave on Friday making for a shorter week of prep than Buffalo, but we should be a better enough team to beat them, and if we don’t then I seriously question any chances we may have in the playoffs.
Last week against the Pats was the big Test, this one at Buffalo is graduation.
Just remember TRB, if it was uncool for the Jets to say they lost the game rather than us winning it, we certainly can’t turn the table around and do the exact same thing about the Pats game. We Bronco fans have more class right? Or am I missing something, maybe it’s because you’re from the East coast, LOL.
No knock to the ills … who did start off hot … but if we lose to them too … we will struggle in the playoffs. But then again, Packers got into the playoffs last year on 8 and 8 I believe as a wild card team. And Seahawks got in 7-9 and beat the saints. Anything is possible. But the packers got good and consistent when neccesary … which was what champ was saying. Got only 2 games to get good.
I may be a bit delusional but I am aware theres not much difference talent wise between this years team and last years team. Just Tebow and Von are the major differences. But then we also lost Blloyd. So this team is still that bad team from last year. The new coaching staff is just finding better ways to use avg guys and help them play above thier skill level, and the comraderie and believing is carrying them the rest of the way.
TRB
LMAO … yea we on the east coast love makign excuses … we are just co.cky like that … u never beat us … we beat ourselves … lol … but u are right. Thats just part of the game. Turnovers that is. Its like Bears saying we didn’t win, they lost cuz they pretty much had the game before Barber fumble. At the end of the day gotta give credit where credit is due. They got the advantages and made em work. You are right … we are indeed classier than the Jets lol
TRB
good morning Bronco Country!!!
I am right there with Champ, we are not consistent enough to do anything in the playoffs. However, get in the playoffs and then let’s talk!
This is a great learning experience for all our promising rookies. One that is flying under the radar… Orlando Franklin. He has had very few penalties and done a great job all season at right tackle. I was very skeptical of that draft pick from the start.
Can champ and Dawkins have a couple special practice sessions with Quinton, Rahim and Chris Harris this week? Just get everyone on the same page, Please! So many newbies in the secondary….scary!
Orange Crush all over them Buffalonians!!!
I’m sure M. Dareus will be wanting to play a big game against us…..
Hey TRB speak for yourself on making excuses…lol. I said right after the game Sunday that we lost that game because we were 1. outplayed and 2. we beat ourselves. It was just that simple. Not all cylinders were firing Sunday, and the coaching staff needs to get them all tuned up this short week. Maybe the extra day off last week is what hurt us. Don’t know. You can’t give the ball to Brady on your 20 and not expect him to not put points on the board. He will burn you every time.
Our D decided to start trying to strip tackle iinstead of just plain tackling and that doesn’t work either with the Pats.
Let’s hope Santa pulls out the blue and orange sleigh and flies over arrowhead, having his reindeer drop poop all over the raiders. LOL
strip tackling doesn’t really work against anyone……….
^Yes. I’m dreaming of a Blue and Orange Christmas. And poopy Raiders.
I have to say that this is one part of the practice I never understood. You practice tackling on a tackling dummy, that isn’t running down the field and giving you a stiff arm to stay away from you.
new blog
We had momentum until we fumbled the ball. From there games over. No mistakes and pl ay keep away the way we were running the ball looked promising. After losing momentum on two fumbles back to back, you just beat yourself and Tom Brady comes in and pulls out the dagger for the kill, you`ll lose every time. Give the Pats credit, we played one great quarter of football and the Pats played 3 great quarters. We couldn`t rebound from our mistakes, the mistakes unraveled all the more.
Bay – The team will be leaving on Thursday afternoon this week. For all games that kick off at 1 p.m. ET, the team has left Denver two days early (Ten., Mia., K.C., Min. and now Buf.).
Thanks Stuart, so I guess they will have a practice of sort in Buffalo on Friday then.
Hello all and if I forget to say this in the days to come…..
I sincerely want to wish all of you, your family and your friends the very best and Happy Holidays. If you travel, please be safe and return home happy, safe and loaded with gifts!
Now with that said, there is only 1 thing I am interested in seeing over these next 2 games. I’m simply going to call it “The Want It” factor. It’s easy and fun to see what this 4th qtr stuff has been all about over the course of the season but honestly we knew that as it was going on a stumble didn’t necessarily mean the end….BUT……..now………
2 games boys! It’s that simple! Tim…..we’re going to see just how bad you “want it”. KNOWING…..it’s within your grasp, will you seize it?
I know it’s unfair to put this post on Tim but heck, it’s been that way for the last 8 weeks….So here we go! Now it really means something! Play for the playoffs! Will you step up or step out!
I didn’t want to talk about the X’s and O’s the coaching…..because honestly both are good enough to beat the next two teams…I want to see in what fashion it happens…..I’m a guy that loves to be inspired! Now I wanna see what a possible playoff birth will do to motivate this team! They’ll tell you that it was always the goal….but now it’s reality!
I tell my wrestling team everyday! “The only difference between you and the guy across from you is I KNOW YOU WANT IT! So TAKE IT! Stand tall, flip the switch and dial in…….when everything else has equalled out, heart and pride will lead you to victory! seize the moment!”
GO GET EM’ BOYS! FINISH STRONG!
It’s unfortunate that Quan muffed the ball but it does improve our special teams having Eddie Royal with cheese back out there returning kicks again. l know Quan had a lot more attempts but look at the return average on both kick and punt returns and Eddie is about double. Plus he has the ability to take it to the house.
After a win, it is easier to dismiss the game, and move on to the next contest. After a loss, it is natural for the game to linger in your head — what was wrong, what could have been done better, how could we have prepared differently? I think the Bears-Bronco game was a game which the Broncos won, but, will anyone deny their feelings of resignation, having mentally and emotionally prepared one’s self for defeat, both in regulation, and then, again, in overtime? I suspect it wasn’t a victory which delivered the fruits of victory, that as a player, the brief exultation after a win was false, and didn’t fully erase the specter of defeat that was raised. If someone addressed the team, and said, “Caution fellas, the scoreboard shows a win, but we were defeated in this game!” it possibly wouldn’t have made any tangible difference. I didn’t see this game against the Patriots as a “test,” or a contest that would “prove” anything. I wish my Broncos success against Buffalo, and Kansas City. I’m sure I’m not the only one, who can hear the war-drums beating along the Missouri River!
I know how we can secure a playoff spot. Prepare for one game at a time & not think of the playoffs. Take care of business ourselfs. Prepare for the Bills this week then we’ll worry about K.C. next week. I hope the Broncos aren’t even thinking about the playoff. Everyboby thats blogging is taking care of that.
I don’t know but I would like to go on record as saying as I have since week two or three( check the archives) 9-7 wins the west. at the time I didn’t know that Tim would be this good, I did know our Defense was, I didn’t know our Special teams was this good either, glad I was wrong but I am hoping for 9-8 OR 10-7 Go Broncos!!!WIN THE WEST AND PLEASE NO COLLAPSE LIKE IN 09, ALL I WANT IS ONE WIN THIS CHRISTMAS JUST ONE CHANCE FOR THE WEST TITLE!