The Denver Broncos are playoff bound for a second consecutive season.
The Broncos punched their ticket to the postseason with their win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
With the Broncos now on their way to the postseason, here’s a look at the updated standings.
2. New England Patriots (11-3)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
The Broncos haven’t clinched the division yet, but they’re closing in on their first AFC West crown since 2015. The Patriots had the chance to close the door on the Buffalo Bills’ division title hopes, but lost to them on Sunday. The Jaguars and Steelers can’t relax just yet either, as they’re both just a game ahead in their respective divisions.
5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)
The Chargers, Bills and Texans all won this week, keeping both their playoff chances and division title chances alive. The win for Buffalo over New England was especially big since the Bills are currently chasing the Pats.
8. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)
9. Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
For the first time since 2014, the Kansas City Chiefs won’t make the playoffs. They were eliminated with Sunday’s loss to the Chargers, becoming the sixth AFC team to be knocked out of playoff contention.
The Ravens and Colts don’t need a miracle to make the playoffs, but they do need to be at their best and get some help elsewhere. The Dolphins, on the other hand, would be a stretch to make it to the postseason, even after a four-game win streak.
11. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)
12. Cincinnati Bengals (4-10)
14. Cleveland Browns (3-11)
15. Las Vegas Raiders (2-12)
16. Tennessee Titans (2-12)
1. Los Angeles Rams (11-3)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
The Rams have already clinched a playoff spot, but can’t relax yet as they look to win the division. The Eagles are just about in cruise control with the second-placed Dallas Cowboys well behind them.
The Buccaneers are somehow in the lead for the NFC South at 7-7, but the Carolina Panthers are also sitting at 7-7.
5. Seattle Seahawks (11-3)
6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
7. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)
Both the Seahawks and Niners have what it takes to reach the playoffs, but the coming weeks will decide whether either can dethrone the Rams. The Packers’ postseason hopes took a hit on Sunday with Micah Parsons’ injury, but they’re still alive.
9. Carolina Panthers (7-7)
10. Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)
The Cowboys had some momentum heading into December, but lost some of it with a loss to the Lions. Still, they can make the playoffs if they’re perfect to end the year and get some help from other teams.
The Panthers had the chance to take control of the division on Sunday, but lost to the New Orleans Saints, making next week’s matchup against the Bucs even more consequential.
11. Minnesota Vikings (5-8)
12. Atlanta Falcons (5-9)
13. New Orleans Saints (4-10)
14. Washington Commanders (4-10)
15. Arizona Cardinals (3-11)
16. New York Giants (2-12)
The Broncos turned some heads last year when they snuck into the playoffs with a 10-7 record, but it’s been a different story in 2025 as Denver has dominated all season.
Denver started the year 1-2, leaving fans wondering if the Broncos had lost the momentum from last season, but they quickly established themselves as contenders. After its Week 3 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Denver proceeded to win X games in a row.
The Broncos have had a solid offense behind second-year quarterback Bo Nix, who has thrown for 3,256 yards, 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions, adding 254 rushing yards and four scores on the ground.
Their bread and butter, however, has once again been on the defensive side.
Denver is among the league leaders in yards allowed per game and points allowed per game. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II has been solid despite missing a handful of games, and Nik Bonitto has once again been one of the best pass rushers in the NFL.
Now that the Broncos have earned a playoff spot, the next task is to clinch the AFC West. A division title for Denver would be its first since 2015.
As good as the Broncos have been this year, things get much harder in the playoffs. Whether Nix has what it takes to lead a team to a Super Bowl in just his second season remains to be seen.
