Denver Broncos Are Playoff Contenders With Wins Over Steelers, Chargers, Easy Upcoming Schedule

A lot has changed for the Denver Broncos over the last few weeks. Since losing a heartbreaker before their bye and falling three games below .500, the team has won two straight games against playoff teams and re-entered the postseason conversation.

Denver is a contender in the 2018 AFC playoff race following their 24-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday afternoon. The win came a week after the Broncos won on the road as major underdogs against the Los Angeles Chargers. Denver is out of the AFC West race, but they are only one game out of the conference’s second wild-card spot.

Most of the AFC is still in the postseason hunt. Five teams are within a game of the No.6 seed Baltimore Ravens, who are 6-5 after Week 12. The Los Angeles Chargers are running away with the No.5 seed at 8-3.

Technically, Denver is currently the No.11 seed because of tiebreakers, but their remaining schedule gives them a better chance than most of the other wild-card contenders to make the playoffs. The Broncos could be favored in their next four games before hosting the Chargers in Week 17, and there’s a good chance that contest won’t mean anything for L.A.

The Broncos will visit the Cincinnati Bengals in a key Week 13 matchup. Denver and Cincinnati share a 5-6 record, though the Bengals look nothing like a playoff contender. The Bengals have lost three straight games, and Andy Dalton left Sunday’s game early with a thumb injury.

Road games against the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders in Week 14 and Week 16, respectively, are certainly winnable. The 49ers and Raiders both have two wins apiece. Denver hosts the Cleveland Browns in Week 15. Cleveland isn’t completely out of contention with a 4-6-1 record.

The No.7 seed Indianapolis Colts (6-5), No.8 seed Tennessee Titans (5-5) and No.9 seed Miami Dolphins (5-6) will have something to say about Denver’s playoff quest. The Ravens own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Broncos because they defeated Denver in Baltimore in Week 2.

Three of Denver’s losses have come against the Chiefs and L.A. Rams, who are among the top Super Bowl contenders. The New York Jets are the only team with a losing record that’s beaten the Broncos this season.