NFL.com Updates Broncos' Playoff Chances After Ugly Jets Win in London

Current AFC Playoff Picture

Some Week 6 games are yet to be concluded or played, but as it stands, the top of the AFC playoff picture looks like this.

1. Indianapolis Colts | 5-1 | 91%
2. Pittsburgh Steelers | 4-1 | 76%
3. Buffalo Bills | 4-1 | 93%
4. Los Angeles Chargers | 4-2 | 70%
5. Jacksonville Jaguars | 4-2 | 59%
6. Denver Broncos | 4-2 | 76%
7. New England Patriots | 4-2 | 71%

The Kansas City Chiefs sit at 2-3 with a 50% chance at the playoffs. If the Chiefs beat the Detroit Lions in Week 6, their odds will climb to 57%. If Kansas City loses, its outlook drops to a dismal 39%.

Meanwhile, the Broncos just successfully navigated one of the trickiest stretches on their schedule — not necessarily in terms of opponents, but because of the logistics. There were many outlying factors that led to Denver's disjointed performance in London, not to excuse the litany of self-inflicted wounds.

A Favorable Stretch of Games

A win is a win. Moving forward, the Broncos return to Mile High for a back-to-back home stand vs. the 2-4 New York Giants and 2-3-1 Dallas Cowboys. That'll be followed by a road trip to take on the 2-3 Houston Texans.

Then it's back home for two straight vs. the Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders, followed by Denver's Week 12 bye. That's a great spot for a bye, giving the Broncos a nice break to heal up, recharge, and bow up for the stretch run.

The next few games will be important to the Broncos padding the standings and insulating themselves against the possible vagaries of the post-bye schedule. If nothing else, the Broncos' ugly win over the Jets was a cold reminder of the cost of overlooking an opponent. It could have a galvanizing effect on the team.

The Broncos' next opponent with a currently winning record is the 3-2 Washington Commanders in Week 13, directly after the bye. A lot could change between now and then, but that'll give everyone a fun look at Bo Nix vs. Jayden Daniels head-to-head.

That's six weeks away. In the meantime, the sun will be shining on the Broncos, so Sean Payton had better make hay if this team is going to realize the 76% chance of making the playoffs that NFL.com's mathematicians currently give them.