The Broncos entered the 2025 campaign with high hopes. It's hard to imagine they could have fathomed things going as well as they have thus far.
Through 16 games, Denver sits atop the AFC. It hasn't been the prettiest of rides for the Broncos, who have endured a fair few close calls along the way. But winning has always been an elixir. And as the season draws to a close, there isn't a team more used to winning this year than Sean Payton's bunch, who landed another victory in tight circumstances against the Chiefs on Christmas Day.
Kansas City huffed and puffed, showing resilience throughout the fixture. But Bo Nix's last-gasp touchdown was enough to give the Broncos a 20-13 win, moving them one step closer from an AFC regular season crown.
Here's a look at Denver's playoff outlook after its latest victory.
MORE: Updates on the chase for the AFC's top seed
Broncos playoff picture
Denver held firm at the top of the AFC -- only barely. Despite Chris Oladokun and Kansas City's defense's best efforts, the Broncos held on to claim a win at Arrowhead Stadium.
The result wasn't enough for Denver to land the No. 1 seed outright. However, it did put pressure on all the teams chasing after the Broncos in the AFC standings. Denver is guaranteed to sit at the top of the AFC standings at the end of Week 17. The Patriots, Jaguars, Chargers and Bills all need wins to keep pace and give themselves a shot at landing the AFC's top prize.
| Seed | Team | Record |
| 1 | Broncos* | 13-3 |
| 2 | Patriots* | 12-3 |
| 3 | Jaguars* | 11-4 |
| 4 | Steelers | 9-6 |
| 5 | Chargers* | 11-4 |
| 6 | Bills* | 11-4 |
| 7 | Texans | 10-5 |
| 8 | Colts | 8-7 |
| 9 | Ravens | 7-8 |
| 10 | Dolphins | 6-9 |
| 11 | Chiefs | 6-10 |
| 12 | Bengals | 5-10 |
| 13 | Jets | 3-12 |
| 14 | Titans | 3-12 |
| 15 | Browns | 3-12 |
| 16 | Raiders | 2-13 |
*indicates a team has clinched a playoff berth.
AFC West standings
Denver stills finds itself atop the AFC West. However, it's placement at the top of the division is under threat from an upstart Chargers team that has overcame myriad injuries to keep pace their divisional foe.
MORE: Which teams have clinched a playoff spot in Week 17?
Los Angeles is two wins out of first place and currently holds the tiebreaker over the Broncos, having bested them in their sole meeting in Week 3. The two teams will rekindle their rivalry in Week 18. If the Bolts can best a talented Texans' squad on Saturday, they'll get a crack at claiming the division title in their reverse fixture with Denver.
| Seed | Team | Record |
| 1 | Broncos | 13-3 |
| 2 | Chargers | 11-4 |
| 3 | Chiefs | 6-10 |
| 4 | Raiders | 2-13 |
Broncos remaining schedule
Denver has one game left on its regular-season schedule: a date with the 11-4 Chargers. The game could very well have postseason implications -- much like the Broncos, Los Angeles is still in the mix for a divisional crown as well as the AFC's No. 1 seed.
If the Chargers are able to down Houston during the weekend, that matchup looks likely to be flexed into a primetime slot in Week 18.
| Date | Opponent | Time | TV Channel |
| TBD | at Broncos | TBD | TBD |