Broncos Playoff Watch: How Sunday’s game against the Chiefs impacts Denver’s playoff odds

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — It’s December and the Denver Broncos are playing meaningful football.

In fact, it’s the first time since Gary Kubiak was the head coach in 2016 that the Broncos have had a winning record in the month of December.

At 6-5, the Broncos are only one game back of the Kansas City Chiefs for first place in the AFC West before their showdown on Sunday Night Football.

Rightfully so, it’s time to talk about playoffs.

Here’s everything you need to know about where the Broncos stand in the AFC West, the entire playoff picture and what other games to be following this weekend as Denver tries to make it into the playoffs for the first time since their Super Bowl run in 2015.

AFC West Standings

1. 7-4 Kansas City Chiefs
2. 6-5 Los Angeles Chargers
3. 6-5 Las Vegas Raiders
4. 6-5 Denver Broncos

To say the AFC West is competitive isn’t doing it justice. The fact that it’s December and all four teams have a winning record is nearly unheard of and it’s the only division in the NFL that can boast that fact.

If the Broncos beat the Chiefs on Sunday, along with the Chargers and Raiders winning, every team in the division will be tied at 7-5. Due to the NFL’s tiebreakers, however, the Denver Broncos would be in first place in the AFC West, even if the Raiders and Chargers both win on Sunday.

All it takes is a win, and the Broncos will be on top of the division by Sunday night.

Playoff Picture

In the playoffs

1. 8-3 Baltimore Ravens
2. 8-4 New England Patriots
3. 8-4 Tennessee Titans
4. 7-4 Kansas City Chiefs
5. 7-4 Cincinatti Bengals
6. 7-4 Buffalo Bills
7. 6-5 Los Angeles Chargers

In the hunt

• 6-5 Denver Broncos
• 6-5 Las Vegas Raiders
• 6-6 Indianapolis Colts
• 6-6 Cleveland Browns
• 5-5-1 Pittsburgh Steelers
• 5-7 Miami Dolphins

As is stands entering Week 13, the Broncos are just on the outside looking in. Despite Denver beating the Chargers just days ago, Los Angeles holds the tiebreaker over the Broncos based on their 2-1 record in the division compared to Denver’s 1-1 division record.

With four division games still left to play, including one more against the Chargers, the Broncos will have plenty of time to improve their division record.

Broncos Playoff Odds

Here are the Broncos’ current playoff odds, according to FiveThirtyEight:

To make the playoffs: 27%

To win the division: 10%

To have a first-round bye: 0.4%

To win the Super Bowl: 0.7%

If the Broncos pull off the massive upset on Sunday and beat the Chiefs, Denver’s playoff odds will jump to 56 percent, while their odds to win the AFC West will improve to 33 percent.

If Denver loses to Kansas City, their playoff odds will drop to 19 percent, with their odds to win the AFC West plummeting to only four percent.

What the Broncos Need this Weekend

With six games left to play, the Broncos don’t need anything this weekend. As explained above, a win over the Chiefs would go a long way in not just their playoff odds, but in their pursuit of their first AFC West title since 2015.

What to Cheer for this Weekend

• 6-5 Chargers @ 7-4 Bengals — Sunday, 11:00 AM
  • If Denver isn’t able to win the AFC West, they’ll likely be battling the Bengals for one of the three wild card spots. But Denver has to be cheering for the Bengals this weekend to beat their division rival. Go Bengals.
• 6-6 Colts @ 2-9 Texans — Sunday, 11:00 AM
  • The Texans are zero threat to the Broncos this year, while the Colts appear to be making a strong push for a wild card spot. Go Texans.
• 4-7 Giants @ 5-7 Dolphins — Sunday, 11:00 AM
  • After an abysmal start, the Dolphins are trying to make a late playoff push. A Giants win could end any hope of that for Miami. Go Giants.
• 4-7 Washington Football Team @ 6-5 Raiders — Sunday, 2:05 PM
  • The Raiders found their swagger against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. But a loss at home to the Football Team will end that momentum and make their hot start a distant memory. Go Football Team.
• 6-5 Broncos @ 7-4 Chiefs — Sunday, 6:20 PM
  • First place in the AFC West is on the line. This is a no-brainer.