The AFC playoffs will now run through Denver, as they have secured the No. 1 seed, on the backs of a big defensive performance. Nik Bonitto had two sacks, including a strip sack, and Ja'quan McMillian had the lone touchdown of the day, a pick-six on the game's third drive.

The Denver Broncos have won the No. 1 playoff seed in the AFC for the first time since 2015. That happens to be the last year the Broncos won the Super Bowl.

The Denver Broncos found the right kind of success on their opening drive in Week 18. It was one of their best offensive drives of the season, even if it only resulted in a field goal.

What just happened? What does it mean? What are the pertinent factors (and, perhaps, tiebreakers) prominently in play as each conference's seven-team bracket begins to crystallize? All will be explained and analyzed up to the point when the postseason field is finalized Sunday,

After clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs and securing a bye for the wild-card round, the Denver Broncos have also clinched a bottom-eight pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. The Broncos currently hold seven picks for April's draft, but that number could grow in the coming months.

The Denver Broncos did what they needed to do against the Los Angeles Chargers, locking down the top seed in the AFC with a 19-3 win that also left plenty of lingering questions about whether Denver’s offense is actually playoff-ready.

For the ninth time​ since 1975, the Denver Broncos have secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC at the conclusion of the regular season.

The Denver Broncos won the AFC West in 2025. We already know their 2026 opponents and what it means for their playoff chances next year.

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