Sport outcome: The Broncos misplaced on Thursday evening, however they nonetheless have a path to clinching a spot in Week 16 (see beneath). At 9-6, they’re in seventh within the AFC however have a robust lead over the groups in eighth place. The Broncos and Chargers are tied general, however the Chargers gained each video games this 12 months, claiming the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season is right here.
Nonetheless, with outcomes this weekend some groups can e-book their spot within the postseason.
Whereas six groups — the Buffalo Payments, the Houston Texans, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, the Detroit Lions, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Philadelphia Eagles — have already clinched playoff spots, a number of groups can be a part of them in Week 16.
Two such groups are the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers, and as luck (or the NFL scheduling gurus) would have it these two AFC West rivals sq. off to start the week on Thursday Night time Soccer.
Right here is how Denver can clinch a playoff spot this week. The Broncos are 2.5-point underdogs on Fanduel Sportsbook.
Broncos playoff berth clinching situations
Denver has two pathways to the playoffs right here in Week 16. The primary is reasonably easy, whereas the second requires the Broncos to get slightly assist from their associates.
The simplest method for the Broncos to get in? A win over the Chargers. Los Angeles is a 2.5-point favoriate at FanDuel Sportsbook. Denver would additionally clinch a playoff berth ought to tonight’s recreation towards Los Angeles finish in a tie.
Nonetheless, Denver can nonetheless again into the postseason with a loss to the Chargers, however that might require them to get slightly assist over the weekend. Even with a loss to Los Angeles, the Broncos can clinch a playoff spot with:
- Miami Dolphins loss/tie AND Cincinnati Bengals loss/tie AND Indianapolis Colts loss/tie
If these three video games break their method, Denver nonetheless will get into the playoffs with a loss to the Chargers.
AFC standings getting into Week 16
1. y-Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (13-1)
2. y-Buffalo Payments (11-3)
3. x-Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)
4. y-Houston Texans (9-5)
5. Baltimore Ravens (9-5, win over DEN)
6. Denver Broncos (9-5, loss to BAL)*
7. Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)*
8. Indianapolis Colts (6-8, 5-5 AFC, win over MIA)*
9. Miami Dolphins (6-8, 5-5 AFC, loss to IND)*
10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-8, 3-6 AFC)*
11. New York Jets (4-10) — eradicated
12. Cleveland Browns (3-11, win over JAX) — eradicated
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11, win over TEN, loss to CLE, win over NE) — eradicated
14. Tennessee Titans (3-11, loss to JAX, win over NE) — eradicated
15. New England Patriots (3-11, losses to JAX & TEN) — eradicated
16. Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) — eradicated
Groups with an asterisk (*) have been eradicated from divisional rivalry
Groups with an (x) have clinched a playoff spot
Groups with a (y) have clinched their division
