NFL Playoff Picture: Broncos need one more win to make the postseason

The Broncos need to get a win vs. the Bengals or the Chiefs the next two weeks if they want to make the postseason.

The vibes were high just one week ago. We were coming off a thrilling victory over the Colts and had a 90+ percent chance to make the playoffs. Fast forward a week later and it is doom and gloom time in Broncos Country after their disappointing loss on Thursday Night. The Broncos now have a 76% chance to make the playoffs after losing to the Chargers and victories by the Ravens, Colts, Bengals, and Dolphins.

Everything that could have gone bad for the Broncos this week did and now the Broncos face a tough road ahead if they want to make the playoffs. They need just one more victory to lock up a postseason spot, but it won’t be easy.

This Saturday, the Broncos will head east to take on the high-powered Bengals offense and will look to end their postseason drought.

Looking at the FanDuel Sportsbook odds for the Broncos’ playoff chances, the Broncos are still favored to make the playoffs despite their loss to the Chargers

• Yes -265
• No +210

These FanDuel Sportsbook odds suggest that the Broncos are favored to make the postseason currently. They sit at 9-6 on the year and are one win away from clinching a playoff berth. These reflect the likelihood of the Broncos clinching a postseason spot in the near future.

Overall, the Broncos control their own destiny and need win one of their final two games if they want to clinch a spot in the postseason.

• AFC West odds: Not available due to the Chiefs clinching the AFC West
• Super Bowl odds: +8500
• Conferences Winner odds: +2800

Looking Ahead

Let us take a look at the Broncos and the three teams trailing them for a postseason spot.

7th seed: Denver Broncos (9-5)

76% chance to make the playoffs

Upcoming Schedule: at Bengals, and vs. Chiefs

The Broncos need to win just one more game to make the playoffs but it won’t be easy. They’ll head east to take on the Bengals this upcoming Saturday and finish out the year against a Chiefs team that may or may not have the top seed locked up.

If they beat the Bengals this Saturday, they enter the final week drama-free. However, if they lose to the Bengals, we better hope the Chiefs beat the Steelers on Christmas which will allow them to sit their starters in the finale. This doesn’t guarantee a Broncos win, but it makes it a much easier path for them in the final week of the season.

With the Bengals, Dolphins, and Colts all winning this Sunday, they’re two games back and on the Broncos’ heels as we enter the final two weeks of the 2024 regular season.

8th Seed: Indianapolis Colts (7-8)

13% chance to make the playoffs

Remaining Schedule: at Giants and vs. Jaguars

The Colts are the 8th seed but are in a tough spot because of their loss to the Broncos last week. They need a three-way tie with the Chargers and Broncos to make the playoffs. That means both the Broncos and Chargers will need to lose out, but a win by either team will eliminate them from the postseason.

They have a favorable schedule but need a lot of help for them to make the playoffs. While NFL.com gives them the best odds of the three teams out right now, I think they’re the most unlikely of the three teams.

9th Seed: Dolphins (7-8)

8% chance to make the playoffs

Remaining Schedule: at Browns and at Jets

The Dolphins remain alive with a win over the 49ers and now finish up their season with two road games which will be cold-weather games. The narrative around the Dolphins is that they struggle in cold weather and their final two games are against the Browns and Jets.

The Dolphins will need to win out, have the Broncos and/or Chargers lose out and the Colts to lose one game. Like the Colts and Bengals, they need a lot of help to make the playoffs but the road for that to happen is there. For them to do this, however, they’ll need to prove the narratives wrong and win two cold-weather games.

10th Seed: Bengals (7-8)

9% chance to make the playoffs

Remaining Schedule: vs. Broncos and at Steelers

The Bengals face long odds of making the playoffs but are the biggest threat to the Broncos because they play them this upcoming Saturday. They’re coming off a win over the lowly Browns and now finish out the year against the Broncos and the Steelers. They need to win out and get a lot of help to get in.

They’ll need the Broncos to lose out and both the Dolphins and Colts to lose once over their final two games. It’s a long shot, but they have one of the best offenses in the league and could play spoiler for the Broncos. If they lose to the Broncos this Saturday, they’ll be eliminated from the postseason.