How can the Broncos get the No. 1 seed again this year?
“Manic.” That’s the word Will Petersen chooses to describe the 2026 Broncos—and the race for the AFC’s No. 1 seed could make the rest of the season just as stressful.
Filling in for Phillip Lindsay, Will joins Zach Bye on The Drive to discuss what Denver needs to do to earn the top seed and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. With six teams sitting at two losses or fewer in the standings discussed, the Broncos may have less room for error than fans expected.
The guys weigh a scenario in which securing the top spot requires 13 or 14 wins, leaving little margin for dropped games down the stretch. Matchups that once seemed less consequential could end up shaping where Denver plays in January—and whether it earns a first-round bye.
That puts the win over Carolina in a different light. Zach explains why he’s relieved the Broncos handled the Panthers before their bye week, banking a victory that could prove crucial in a tightly packed playoff race.
Broncos Country, which remaining game worries you most—and what record do you think Denver needs to secure the No. 1 seed? Share your predictions in the comments, like the video and subscribe for more Broncos coverage from The Drive with Zach Bye and Phillip Lindsay, with Will Petersen filling in.
