NFL: These Are The Teams That Will Make The Playoffs

AFC 1st Seed (AFC West Champions): Denver Broncos (14-2)

Peyton Manning is mad. Even though his Broncos are 6-2, both of those losses were in high profile games. The first was in Seattle against the Seahawks in a game in which he brought the Broncos back from the brink of death, only to have to sit in overtime and not even get the ball to try to win. The other was a blowout to the New England Patriots, a battle against his only real rival, Tom Brady.

Normally, Manning and the Broncos start off hot and then level off. This season may be different. They have not started out slow per se, But it isn’t like starting out 9-0.

The second half schedule looks very favorable for the Broncos. They do have games against Miami and Buffalo, but those are games at home, where they are undefeated so far this season (5-0). They also have games against the Chargers and Bengals, two teams that look to be spiraling down. There are two games against the Oakland Raiders, so those are wins.

The only loss the Broncos may have in the second half may be in Week 13 in Kansas City. They play on the Chiefs home turf, which will be tough, but I don’t think the Chiefs have enough firepower to keep up with Denver.

I expect the Broncos to run the table in the second half and regain the top spot in the AFC. It will set up a great rematch with New England for the AFC title.