The Denver Broncos already checked off one major goal by winning the AFC West, but there was still something to play for in Week 18.
With the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in their sights, the Broncos finished strong in the regular season, which earned them an additional week of rest to prepare for the divisional round.
Earning the No. 1 seed takes the Broncos somewhere they haven’t been in a decade. It’s been 10 years since Denver played in the divisional round, and that run ended exactly where the Broncos are hoping this one ends: at Levi’s Stadium, with the Lombardi Trophy in hand.
Here’s what you need to know about the Broncos’ playoff outlook and how they clinched a bye.
LIVE: Updated NFL playoff picture for Week 18
NFL playoff bracket 2026
Broncos playoff picture
The Broncos entered Week 18 as the AFC’s No. 1 seed, and they’ll leave it locked into the top of the AFC.
| Seed | Team | Record |
| 1 | Denver Broncos* | 14-3 |
| 2 | New England Patriots* | 14-3 |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars* | 13-4 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 9-7 |
| 5 | Houston Texans* | 12-5 |
| 6 | Los Angeles Chargers* | 11-6 |
| 7 | Buffalo Bills* | 12-5 |
| 8 | Indianapolis Colts – eliminated | 8-9 |
| 9 | Baltimore Ravens | 8-8 |
| 10 | Miami Dolphins – eliminated | 7-10 |
| 11 | Cincinnati Bengals – eliminated | 6-11 |
| 12 | Kansas City Chiefs – eliminated | 6-11 |
| 13 | Cleveland Browns – eliminated | 5-12 |
| 14 | Las Vegas Raiders – eliminated | 3-14 |
| 15 | New York Jets – eliminated | 3-14 |
| 16 | Tennessee Titans – eliminated | 3-14 |
*=clinched playoff spot
With their win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, the Broncos clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Denver had already clinched the AFC West, but some scenarios would’ve resulted in the Broncos falling from the No. 1 seed if they lost to the Chargers. However, with Denver winning, they held off the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars from the top of the AFC
AFC West standings
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Denver Broncos | 14-3 |
| 2 | Los Angeles Chargers | 11-6 |
| 3 | Kansas City Chiefs – eliminated | 6-11 |
| 4 | Las Vegas Raiders – eliminated | 3-14 |
The Broncos clinched the AFC West with the Chargers’ loss to the Houston Texans in Week 17, then beat the Chargers to lock in the No. 1 seed.
Broncos clinching scenarios
The Broncos’ path to the No. 1 seed was simple: win and in. Luckily for them, the Chargers sat Justin Herbert.
As a result of the Broncos’ win over Los Angeles, Denver will get a bye in the playoffs by earning the top seed in the AFC.
