Almost nothing went Denver’s way in the playoff hunt during Week 16 of the NFL season, but the Broncos (12-3) still control their own destiny for the postseason.

Denver lost 34-20 to the Jacksonville ⁠Jaguars on Dec. 21, trimming its lead in the AFC West to one game with two to play. Denver had won 12 straight games at home and 11 straight at home, both of which had been the longest active streaks in the NFL.

It will be a quick turnaround for the Broncos, who travel to Kansas City to play the Chiefs (6-9) on Christmas Day.

Here’s a look at ‍what the Broncos can lock up in Week 17.

How can the Broncos win the AFC West?

Denver can clinch the AFC West bid in Week 17, claiming the title for the first time ​since 2015 with a win on Dec. 25 and a Los Angeles Chargers loss to ⁠the Houston Texans on Dec. 27.

The Broncos’ magic number to win the division ​is two, ‍meaning any combination of Denver victories and losses or ties by the Chargers (10-4) totaling two over the rest of the season locks up the title.

If Denver does not clinch it this week, the division will be settled when the Chargers come to Denver on Jan. 4. The Chargers hold a tiebreaker advantage having beaten the Broncos earlier in the season ‌and having a better record in the AFC West. If they end up with identical overall records, the Chargers will either have swept the season series with Denver or split it but finished with a better record in the division, the first two tiebreakers.

Winning the AFC ‌West would guarantee home-field advantage in at least the wildcard round of the playoffs. If Denver wins the West, it ‍cannot get lower than the No. 3 seed because the eventual AFC North champion — either Pittsburgh (9-6) or Baltimore (7-8) — cannot win as many games as the Broncos have already won.

How can the Broncos clinch home-field advantage for the divisional round of the playoffs?

Four teams could overtake the Broncos by the ⁠end of the season — the Patriots (12-3), Chargers, Jaguars and Bills (all 11-4).

PlayoffStatus.com worked through the tiebreakers and found four scenarios where the Broncos could lock up the No. 2 seed if they clinch the AFC West in Week 17. They are:

Broncos win, Chargers lose and Jaguars lose.Broncos win, Chargers lose or tie and Jaguars tie.Broncos win, Texans tie ⁠and Jaguars lose.Broncos win, Chargers lose or tie, Patriots lose and Bills tie or lose.

Can the Broncos clinch the top seed in the playoffs in Week 17?

The NFL’s complex tiebreakers do create a scenario where Denver can clinch the top seed in Week 17. The Broncos lock up the top seed if all of the following happen:

The Broncos beat the Chiefs on Dec. 25.The Chargers lose to or tie the Texans on Dec. 27.The Jaguars lose to or tie the Colts on Dec. 28.The Patriots lose ​to the Jets on Dec. ‌28.The Bills lose to the Eagles on Dec. 28.

Remaining Denver Broncos schedule

Here is the Broncos’ schedule for the rest of the 2025 season. All times are MT:

Dec. 25:  at Kansas City Chiefs, 6:15 p.m.Jan 4: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, ⁠11 a.m.