Broncos have three ways to clinch No. 1 seed, but one is the easiest

The Denver Broncos can be the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs with three different clinching scenarios on Sunday.

But one is the simplest.

As we’ve known for a bit of time, if the Broncos beat the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High, they’re the top seed in the conference. And with that comes a valuable first-round bye, while every other playoff team battles it out on wild card weekend.

However, there are two other ways Denver is the No. 1 seed.

All the ways the #Broncos can clinch the No. 1 seed, via the NFL pic.twitter.com/SftWw4Bsbf

— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) December 30, 2025

If the Broncos somehow tie against the Chargers backups and the Patriots lose to the Dolphins, Denver is the No. 1 seed. Obviously, ties are unlikely, especially with L.A. head coach Jim Harbaugh announcing that QB Justin Herbert will sit this one out.

Scenario No. 3 is pretty simple. If the Broncos are upset by Los Angeles then they’d need Miami to top New England and Jacksonville to lose or draw against the hapless Tennessee Titans. That game is in the early window on Sunday, so we’ll know by kickoff if the Jaguars handled business or not.

And finally, by Sunday night, we’ll have the complete AFC postseason bracket.

If the Broncos take care of business, they’ll need to win two home games to return to the Super Bowl for the first time in a decade.

Really, counting on help at this point is foolish, just go do the job and no other results around the league matter this weekend.

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