How can the Broncos clinch a playoff berth in Week 16?

The Denver Broncos are on the cusp of the playoffs. We break down how they can clinch a spot in the 2025 NFL Playoffs in Week 16

Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season is here.

However, with results this weekend some teams can book their spot in the postseason.

While six teams — the Buffalo Bills, the Houston Texans, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Detroit Lions, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Philadelphia Eagles — have already clinched playoff spots, several teams can join them in Week 16.

Two such teams are the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers, and as luck (or the NFL scheduling gurus) would have it those two AFC West rivals square off to begin the week on Thursday Night Football.

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 scenarios

Denver has two pathways to the playoffs here in Week 16. The first is rather straightforward, while the second requires the Broncos to get a little help from their friends.

The easiest way for the Broncos to get in? A win over the Chargers. Los Angeles is a 2.5-point favoriate at FanDuel Sportsbook. Denver would also clinch a playoff berth should tonight’s game against Los Angeles end in a tie.

• Broncos win

However, Denver can still back into the postseason with a loss to the Chargers, but that would require them to get a little help 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 those three games break their way, Denver still gets into the playoffs with a loss to the Chargers.

AFC standings entering Week 16

1. y-Kansas City Chiefs (13-1)
2. y-Buffalo Bills (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) — eliminated
12. Cleveland Browns (3-11, win over JAX) — eliminated
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11, win over TEN, loss to CLE, win over NE) — eliminated
14. Tennessee Titans (3-11, loss to JAX, win over NE) — eliminated
15. New England Patriots (3-11, losses to JAX & TEN) — eliminated
16. Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) — eliminated

Teams with an asterisk (*) have been eliminated from divisional contention
Teams with an (x) have clinched a playoff spot
Teams with a (y) have clinched their division