The Denver Broncos already checked off one major goal by winning the AFC West, but there is still something to play for in Week 18.
With the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in their sights, the Broncos are hoping a strong finish to the regular season will give them an additional week of rest to prepare for the divisional round.
Earning the No. 1 seed would take the Broncos somewhere they haven't been in a decade. It's been 10 years since Denver played in the divisional round, and that run ended exactly where the Broncos are hoping this one ends: at Levi's Stadium, with the Lombardi Trophy in hand.
For now, the Broncos are focused on taking one major step before the regular season comes to a close.
Here's what you need to know about the Broncos' playoff outlook and how they can clinch a bye.
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NFL playoff bracket 2026
Here's a look at the current potential initial matchups for this year's playoffs:
Broncos playoff picture
The Broncos enter Week 18 as the AFC's No. 1 seed, but they aren't locked into it yet.
| Seed | Team | Record |
| 1 | Denver Broncos* | 13-3 |
| 2 | New England Patriots* | 13-3 |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars* | 12-4 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 9-7 |
| 5 | Houston Texans* | 11-5 |
| 6 | Los Angeles Chargers* | 11-5 |
| 7 | Buffalo Bills* | 11-5 |
| 8 | Indianapolis Colts - eliminated | 8-8 |
| 9 | Baltimore Ravens | 8-8 |
| 10 | Miami Dolphins - eliminated | 7-9 |
| 11 | Cincinnati Bengals - eliminated | 6-10 |
| 12 | Kansas City Chiefs - eliminated | 6-10 |
| 13 | Cleveland Browns - eliminated | 4-12 |
| 14 | Tennessee Titans - eliminated | 3-13 |
| 15 | New York Jets - eliminated | 3-13 |
| 16 | Las Vegas Raiders - eliminated | 2-14 |
*=clinched playoff spot
A win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday would clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC for the Broncos.
Denver has already clinched the AFC West and cannot finish any worse than the No. 3 seed in the AFC. While there are scenarios that would allow the Broncos to remain the No. 1 seed in the event of a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, wins by either the New England Patriots or Jacksonville Jaguars would knock Denver out of that top spot in that scenario.
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AFC West standings
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Denver Broncos | 13-3 |
| 2 | Los Angeles Chargers | 11-5 |
| 3 | Kansas City Chiefs - eliminated | 6-10 |
| 4 | Las Vegas Raiders - eliminated | 2-14 |
The Broncos clinched the AFC West with the Chargers' loss to the Houston Texans in Week 17, which opened up another advantage for Denver. Because the Chargers can't win the division, they are resting Justin Herbert and other key starters in a game that remains pivotal for the Broncos.
Broncos clinching scenarios
The Broncos' path to the No. 1 seed is simple: win and in. If they win as decisive favorites over the Chargers, they will enjoy a first-round bye.
If Denver is upset by L.A., the path becomes more complicated. The Broncos could hold onto the No. 1 seed, but that would require losses by both the Patriots and Jaguars. If the Broncos lose and one of the Patriots and Jaguars wins, they would slide out of the No. 1 seed.
The Broncos can slide as far back as No. 3 in the AFC if they lose and both the Patriots and Jaguars win, but they are guaranteed to host their first playoff game regardless of which round it is.