With just two weeks left in the regular season, the playoff picture remains extremely fluid in both the AFC and NFC. We thought we’d take a look at the AFC picture as it relates to the Broncos.
There was a bit of a shakeup in the standings this week. Of the AFC playoff contenders, only Houston, Denver and Cincinnati won. New England, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and the New York Jets all lost.
New England’s loss coupled with Denver’s win means Denver now moves to the No. 2 seed in the AFC and is in line for a first-round bye.
Currently, Houston and Denver would have first-round byes as the top two seeds. Meanwhile, the Patriots would host the Cincinnati Bengals and the Ravens would host the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card round.
If the Broncos win out, they will hold on to their first-round bye. If the Texans also lose out, Denver could end up with the No. 1 overall seed. In other words, in addition to the Broncos game, the contest Denver fans should keep an eye on in Week 16 pits Minnesota’s No. 4 rushing offense — averaging 160 yards per game — against Houston’s No. 5 rushing defense — allowing 93 yards per game.
Here’s a look at who the teams currently in the top six — plus 7-7 Pittsburgh — have remaining on their schedules:
HOUSTON:
vs. Minnesota (8-6)
at Indianapolis (9-5)
NEW ENGLAND:
at Jacksonville (2-12)
vs. Miami (6-8)
DENVER:
vs. Cleveland (5-9)
vs. Kansas City (2-12)
BALTIMORE:
vs. New York Giants (8-6)
at Cincinnati (8-6)
INDIANAPOLIS:
at Kansas City (2-12)
vs. Houston (12-2)
CINCINNATI:
at Pittsburgh (7-7)
vs. Baltimore (9-5)
PITTSBURGH:
vs. Cincinnati (8-6)
vs. Cleveland (5-9)
Below are the playoff-clinching scenarios for Week 16:
HOUSTON TEXANS
Houston clinches a first-round bye with:
1) HOU win or tie
OR
2) NE loss or tie
OR
3) DEN loss
Houston clinches home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs with:
1) HOU win
OR
2) HOU tie + DEN loss or tie
OR
3) NE loss or tie + DEN loss
DENVER BRONCOS
Denver clinches a first-round bye with:
1) DEN win + NE loss or tie
OR
2) DEN tie + NE loss
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Baltimore clinches AFC North division with:
1) BAL win
OR
2) BAL tie + CIN loss or tie
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Indianapolis clinches a playoff spot with:
1) IND win or tie
OR
2) IND clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over CIN
OR
3) PIT loss or tie
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Cincinnati clinches a playoff spot with:
1) CIN win
I like what I see as to the playoff seeds and scenarios. We win out we have a bye week. Its plain and simple.
Assuming we win, which should happen, it’s the playoff scenarios that intrigue me.
My playoff prediction for the AFC looks like this… 1. Houston 2. Denver 3. NE 4. Balt 5. Indy 6.Pitt/Cincy
So I see NE beating Pitt/Cincy and Indy beating a retreating Balt. team.
Indy would head to Houston and NE comes to Denver.
If our crowd stays in it it would severely limit the no-huddle up-tempo one word play calls that hurt us the first time. This will be an incredibly tough game but Denver can win. Honestly, if Denver and NE played 10 times each team would win 5.
Anyway, say Denver wins.
The other game is Indy and Houston in Houston and the 3rd time these teams have played head to head in 6 weeks. I think Indy actually has an outside chance at this win and even more so if they can beat Houston in week 17 (even if Houston rests its starters that game).
So either we play Indy at home or we play Houston on their turf. Either way, Denver wins and its SB time.
This is just one mans prediction of how it could go. Obviously the scenarios are endless.
Icing on the cake is if Cincy or Pitt could beat NE in the wildcard slot. Then Denver plays Balt or Indy and we all know we win that game at home. lol
Can Cincy or Pitt beat Houston? I wouldn’t count them out.
RBF! Howdy!
Exciting times! Do you have any advice on which horses to watch this year for the Derby? I haven’t really heard anything yet about a clear cut favorite for this year?
I can’t get past wanting to be the #1 seed and not wanting to ever ever ever have to face the Pats in the playoffs. Other teams matchup better than the Broncos.
Hi DB!
I’m getting really excited for the #2 v #3 matchup that will undoubtedly involve the Broncos/Pats! Thankfully the way it stands it will be in Denver but as far as the Playoffs go I see that as the AFC Championship game! (I know we lost to the Texans but in my mind right now we are a better football team)…
Either Way, I’m really excited for Manning v Brady in January!!! It will be a Great game…
and DB… did you see the Jets are benching Sanchez, and starting McElroy?!?
Laser focus, one game at a time baby. And we’ll be world champions again. I’ve been stupid crazy for the Broncos since 1978, this might be the most balanced team I’ve seen. If we get to the Superbowl and McGahee is able to come in fresh and strong, it could be the ace up the sleeve. Holliday needs to stop fumbling. And get Kuper healthy. Oh…and more Jacob Hester. Go Broncos.
Not yet BT – been too focused on the Broncos…..lol!!
I’m with Daddybronc, Pats can light it up anytime, anywhere. I hope we don’t have to poke that bear. Hopefully they stumble in the wildcard round.
I SMELL A FIRST ROUND BYE..BUT JUST DONT TAKE THE BROWNS AND CHIEFS LIGHTLY CAUSE THEY SHOWED THEY CAN WIN GAMES…