The Broncos become first in the NFL to clinch playoff berth

The Denver Broncos are in the playoffs for a second-straight year, clinching a spot in the postseason on Sunday with a 34-26 win over the Green Bay Packers.

Denver (12-2) got the job done thanks to their defense, the story of the year. In the second half, they tallied three sacks and two interceptions while Bo Nix threw for 300-plus yards, four touchdowns and no turnovers.

The Orange and Blue currently lead the entire AFC and are the first team in the NFL to clinch a berth. At the very least, it looks likely that Denver will host a playoff game, but they’ll be seeking the bye that comes with the top team in each conference. The New England Patriots’ Sunday loss to Buffalo gives the Broncos even more breathing room for the No. 1 seed.

The Broncos have three more games left in the regular season, starting at home next week, hosting the red-hot Jacksonville Jaguars, who are still alive for the top seed. Then they’ll face a Patrick Mahomes-less Kansas City Chiefs team, which has already been eliminated from the playoffs, followed by the Los Angeles Chargers, who could decide the West, possibly the AFC, or be a meaningless game for Denver.

The Los Angeles Rams, at about the same time as the Broncos, they lead the NFC.

Last year, the Broncos ended one of the longest playoff droughts in sports by making the dance, getting knocked out right away by the Bills in Buffalo. They make back-to-back trips to the postseason for the first time since 2014 and 2015 behind Peyton Manning. It’s the team’s 24th trip to the playoffs since they started playing way back in 1960; the franchise has won three Super Bowls. The Broncos’ last playoff win was their Super Bowl win, capping the 2015 season. If this year’s team wins a Super Bowl, Sean Payton will become the first head coach in NFL history to win a crown for two separate franchises.

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