The Denver Broncos lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 34-20, in Week 16. It was the team's first home loss of the year, and with how the defense struggled, there's some concern going forward.
But it's not just about individual units on the field; the overall Broncos team is in jeopardy of facing a slide this season. ESPN's Dan Graziano posed the question of whether Broncos fans should panic amid this loss about losing the AFC's number 1 seed.
While the Broncos are still the favorites and control their own destiny when it comes to the top spot in the AFC, Graziano emphasized that the Broncos' missing out on the number 1 seed in the AFC is not an overreaction.
Why Broncos fans should be concerned about the AFC's No. 1 seed
"This result opened up so many things at the top of the AFC playoff race," Graziano writes.
There are a few key teams to monitor for the Broncos fanbase as the regular season comes to a close. While the Los Angeles Chargers are an obvious team, with their ability to control their own AFC West destiny after the Broncos' loss.
But the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, and Jaguars can all threaten the Broncos for the top spot in the AFC.
With the Patriots being one of the best teams in the NFL, and the Bills and Jaguars extremely hot, the Broncos don't have a guarantee of landing the top seed in the AFC.
Fortunately, Denver gets some help on Christmas with a matchup against the massively depleted Kansas City Chiefs. They're going to be down the majority of their stars, including both Patrick Mahomes and backup QB Gardner Minshew.
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The Broncos are 12-3, and the Chargers are 11-4. If both win in Week 17, then the Week 18 game between the two teams will decide the AFC West division winner.
In such a situation, the Broncos could pose the risk of falling all the way out of the top spot in the AFC to a Wild Card game as a road team.
Despite sitting atop the division and the conference for most of the season, and looking like the team to beat, this Jaguars loss holds massive ramifications for the rest of the year.
Jacksonville also holds the tiebreaker, and they could steal the top spot in the AFC if they win out and the Broncos lose one of their last two games this season.
The Patriots and Bills could also take the Broncos' spot atop the AFC if Denver loses another game this season and either team wins out.
Long story short for Broncos fans, the Week 16 loss to the Jaguars is a concerning one, as Denver could lose their number 1 seed in the conference, or even the AFC West altogether.
More Broncos News:
- Broncos' Christmas night showdown with Chiefs has become much easier, less interesting
- Pat Bryant injury update: Latest news on Broncos WR's status after Week 16 game
- Bo Nix discusses throw that injured Pat Bryant in Broncos loss to Jags
- Denver Broncos' remaining schedule still sets up quite favorably to reach top goals
- How Broncos' Week 16 loss to Jaguars can be turned into a positive
- Where Broncos, Jaguars sit in AFC playoff picture after Week 16 matchup