The Denver Broncos sit in second place within the AFC, however atop the AFC West division. The Broncos management their very own destiny; the one purpose they’re second within the AFC is that the New England Patriots haven’t had their bye but, which comes this week.
The Broncos tackle the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, which may put them at 3-1 within the AFC West in the event that they win and at 11-2 general. Whereas that will not clinch something, it may open clinching situations in Week 15, relying on how a number of the different video games go.
Because the NFL enters Week 14, different video games nonetheless matter for the Broncos, regardless that they’re poised to land a excessive seed so long as they win out. So, let’s break down the video games throughout the NFL and spotlight which groups Broncos Nation must be rooting for this week.
After all, any time there may be an AFC group in opposition to an NFC group, Broncos Nation will need the NFC group to win. There is just one recreation this week the place that is in play, nevertheless it’s an important one.
Eagles vs. Chargers
That recreation pits the Philadelphia Eagles in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers sit in second place within the AFC West, two video games again from the Broncos.
A Chargers loss opens the door for the Broncos to take a three-game lead with 4 video games left after this week, and will create clinching situations in Week 15 for Denver.
Eagles-Chargers is probably the most essential recreation for the Broncos this week (apart from their very own), however there are a number of others that also could make an influence. A kind of video games contains the Broncos’ different divisional foe.
Texans vs. Chiefs
The Houston Texans are surging for a playoff spot, whereas the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are coming off back-to-back losses. A Texans win may all however remove the Chiefs from playoff competition.
If the Texans can win, it will put the Chiefs at 6-7, which might make making the playoffs extraordinarily tough and pressure them to depend on numerous different groups to make it in.
The Texans are a menace, and whereas getting nearer to the Chiefs’ elimination could be nice, a Kansas Metropolis win is definitely higher for the Broncos in the long term, given the 2 groups’ remaining schedules, together with the Broncos’ having one other recreation in opposition to the Chiefs and having already overwhelmed the Texans.
If the Chiefs beat the Texans, then in a number of weeks, when the Texans tackle the Chargers, you’d need the Texans to win. Nevertheless, if the Texans beat the Chiefs, the Broncos would nonetheless like a Texans win over the Chargers, which may put the Texans on a course to play the Broncos within the playoffs, and that isn’t a matchup the Broncos ought to need.
So, this recreation may go both manner by way of its favorability for the Broncos, however the most effective scenario is a Chiefs win. It isn’t a must-win; beating the Chargers is not a should, and the later video games for the Texans and Chiefs nonetheless matter lots. So, if you happen to can’t deliver your self to root for the Chiefs, then a Texans win is okay, although not nearly as good in the long term.
Colts at Jaguars
These are the 2 essential video games, however a few different video games nonetheless matter. A Jacksonville Jaguars win over the Indianapolis Colts could be useful, because the Jaguars face the Broncos in Week 16 and the Broncos have already misplaced to the Colts.
Bengals at Payments
An unlikely Cincinnati Bengals win over the Buffalo Payments could be good for the Broncos to push the Payments down within the playoff hunt.
Steelers at Ravens
A Baltimore Ravens win over the Pittsburgh Steelers is right, because it pushes the Steelers down and helps declutter the Wildcard race, with the Ravens taking a lead within the division.
Bears at Packers
One non-AFC matchup that issues is the Chicago Bears vs. the Inexperienced Bay Packers. The Broncos tackle the Packers in Week 15, so a Packers win is healthier right here. Given how the Packers have carried out after wins, it may make for a better recreation for the Broncos.
In the meantime, a Bears win may push the Packers to wish a win much more once they arrive in Denver, as it will damage their playoff probabilities and put them within the seventh seed. In the meantime, a Packers win may put them second within the NFC, relying on how different video games go.
The Takeaway
With Week 14 developing, these are the video games that ought to have the eye of Broncos followers. The Broncos aren’t but ready to clinch, however the door may open for the Broncos to take action over the subsequent two weeks, relying on how these video games go.
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