AFC playoff scenarios, Week 15: Bengals, Broncos can clinch

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Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) reacts after fumbling the ball in the end zone during the second half against the Oakland Raiders at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Raiders won 15-12. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Record: 10-3
Current seed: No. 3
Remaining schedule: at Pittsburgh, vs. Cincinnati, vs. San Diego

Where they stand

Denver is a hard team to figure on the surface. The Broncos are 10-3 and leading the AFC West by two games, but all is certainly not alright with this team. Denver has the best defense in the NFL but has an anemic offense, and head coach Gary Kubiak has not announced whether he will be starting Peyton Manning or Brock Osweiler at quarterback going into Heinz Field to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Denver is currently the third seed in the conference, which is a scary place to be with some very good wild card teams looming.

What needs to happen

To simply clinch a playoff berth, the Broncos need to beat the Steelers. With the way both teams are playing that could be a very tall order. Denver could also get in with a loss, should the Kansas City Chiefs lose at M&T Bank Stadium to the Baltimore Ravens. If the Broncos are to clinch the AFC West, it would take both a win at Pittsburgh and the Chiefs losing to the 4-9 Ravens.

This probably won’t be a pop-the-campagne type weekend for the men in blue and orange, but they could take a huge step with a victory.

Next: 4A. Indianapolis Colts

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