As we move deeper into the second half of the 2024 NFL season, the playoff picture becomes clearer. The Denver Broncos aren’t going to catch the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West, but a Wild Card spot is firmly in play.
Let’s examine where their playoff odds lie after they defeated the Cleveland Browns in Week 13.
Can the Broncos Make the Playoffs?
Heading into Week 14, the Denver Broncos are 8-5 and now have a 75.5% chance to make the playoffs.
They have a 0.8% chance for the first seed, a 1.6% chance for the second seed, a 0.8% chance for the third seed, a <0.1% chance for the fourth seed, a 15.4% chance for the fifth seed, a 24.6% chance for the sixth seed, and a 32.2% chance for the seventh seed.
Can the Broncos Win the AFC West?
Here’s what the AFC West race looks like heading into Week 14:
- The Kansas City Chiefs have an 89.0% chance to win the AFC.
- The Los Angeles Chargers have a 7.7% chance to win the AFC.
- The Denver Broncos have a 3.3% chance to win the AFC.
- The Las Vegas Raiders have a 0.0% chance to win the AFC.
Current AFC West Standings
- Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)
- Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
- Denver Broncos (8-5)
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
AFC Playoff Race | Week 18
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
2. Buffalo Bills (13-3)
3. Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
4. Houston Texans (9-7)
5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
7. Denver Broncos (9-7)
In The Hunt
9. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
8. Miami Dolphins (8-8)
Eliminated From Playoffs
10. Indianapolis Colts (7-9)
11. New York Jets (4-12)
12. Las Vegas Raiders (4-12)
13. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
14. Tennessee Titans (3-13)
15. New England Patriots (3-13)
16. Cleveland Browns (3-14)
Broncos’ Super Bowl Chances After Week 13
Can the Broncos win the Super Bowl? The PFN Playoff Predictor projects that Denver has a 2.1% chance to win it all.
Broncos’ Remaining Schedule
- Week 14: BYE
- Week 15: vs. Indianapolis Colts
- Week 16: at Los Angeles Chargers
- Week 17: at Cincinnati Bengals
- Week 18: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
What PFN Predicted for the Browns at Broncos Matchup
This is a matchup between two teams with very different objectives. The Browns are playing out a lost season and evaluating for the future. The Broncos are firmly in the playoff hunt and a win this week would go a long way toward improving their chances of making the postseason.
Cleveland continues to give Jameis Winston an extended audition in what is likely his last chance to prove he deserves a starting job somewhere. Winston is 2-2 since taking over for an injured Deshaun Watson. The Browns are averaging 19.25 points per game in his four starts.
This may be his toughest test yet, as the Broncos allow the eighth-fewest passing yards per game. While that may indicate a likelihood the Browns lean on the run, that doesn’t really work against Denver either. The Broncos allow the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game. Over their last three, they are allowing just 58.7 rushing yards per game.
On the other side of the field, the Broncos could not be happier with the performance of Bo Nix. The rookie QB has made it a conversation between him and Jayden Daniels for rookie of the year.
Over his last three games, Nix has thrown for eight touchdowns and no interceptions. Over the same span, the Browns have allowed the ninth-most passing yards per game. But where they’re really beatable is on the ground.
The Broncos have rotated between Javonte Williams, Audric Estimé, and Jaleel McLaughlin all season. Whoever ends up getting the bulk of the work could thrive against a Browns defense allowing the 10th-most rushing yards per game.
With the Broncos at home and the Browns coming off an upset victory over the Steelers, this sure looks like a spot where Denver will win easily.
PFN Prediction: Broncos 27, Browns 10
