ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — After the Broncos dropped a "Thursday Night Football" matchup with the Chargers, they'll look to respond with a win in Cincinnati.
Denver would still clinch a playoff berth with a win in either of its final two games, and the Broncos will aim to secure their spot in Week 17.
Before that, though, there's still plenty at stake over the remainder of Week 16 — and it's even possible Denver clinches its playoff spot before it plays another game. If the Bengals, Colts and Dolphins all lose or tie on Sunday, Denver will officially be in the postseason.
As you're watching the weekend slate, here's a closer look at which teams you should be pulling for.
[Editor's note: All odds listed below are taken from the New York Times' playoff simulator.]
Texans at Chiefs (Saturday, 11 a.m. MT on NBC/Peacock)
It's beneficial if … the Chiefs win.
Again, we're going to stay away from "cheering" for the Chiefs, but it is helpful if Kansas City wins this weekend. If the Chiefs beat the Texans on Saturday and the Steelers on Wednesday, they'll clinch the No. 1 seed ahead of Week 18. Should the Broncos need a win over Kansas City to secure a playoff berth of their own, it may help if the Chiefs already have things wrapped up.
Steelers at Ravens (Saturday, 2:30 p.m. MT on FOX)
You should root for … the Ravens.
This one could really go either way. After Thursday's loss to the Chargers, the Broncos' chances of the five seed sit at just two percent. For their most likely path to the five seed, the Broncos would need to win out, have the Ravens drop two of their next three — or have the Steelers lose out — and the Chargers lose one of their next two. If the Broncos win out and have one of those other results happen, they'd secure the No. 6 seed.
For the purposes of this week's guide, though, we're focusing on how the Broncos can get into the dance — and that's potentially easier with a Ravens win. If the Steelers win Saturday, they'll clinch the AFC North — and it's entirely possible that Pittsburgh enters Week 18 locked into its seed. Since Pittsburgh plays Cincinnati in Week 18, that could impact the Broncos. Should Denver fall in Cincinnati and enter Week 18 still looking to lock up a postseason berth, the Broncos would need to either beat Kansas City or have the Steelers knock off the Bengals. If the Steelers rest starters against Cincy, that may have a negative impact on Denver's postseason chances.
Browns at Bengals (Sunday, 11 a.m. MT on CBS)
You should root for … the Browns.
No question of who to root for here. If the Bengals lose or tie, they're out of the postseason race. It's one of three results the Broncos need to clinch a spot this weekend.
Titans at Colts (Sunday, 11 a.m. MT on CBS)
You should root for … the Titans.
Here's leg two of what the Broncos need to clinch their ticket on Sunday. Indy is eliminated with a loss, and they're likely finished either way. If Denver and the Colts both end up as the only 9-8 teams, the Broncos have the head-to-head tiebreak. Where it gets tricky is if there is a three-team tiebreak. If the Broncos and Colts are tied with the Dolphins, Bengals, Chargers or Ravens at 9-8, Denver ends up on the wrong side of the tiebreak equation.
Patriots at Bills (Sunday, 2:25 p.m. MT on CBS)
You should root for … the Patriots
If the Bills fall to New England, Kansas City would need just one win over the next two weeks to clinch the No. 1 seed — which would potentially lead the Chiefs to rest their starters in Denver in Week 18. A Buffalo loss might also put the No. 2 seed back in play, which could impact how Pittsburgh handles its lineup in Week 18 vs. Cincinnati.
49ers at Dolphins (Sunday, 2:25 p.m. MT on CBS)
You should root for … the 49ers
If the Bengals and Colts lose (or tie) in the early window, every Broncos fan should be dialed into this game. A 49ers win — with those other two results — would complete the trifecta and send Denver to the postseason for the first time since 2015.
