Playoff projections reveal Broncos' most likely first-round scenario

Jacksonville Jaguars v Denver Broncos - NFL 2025 | Justin Edmonds/GettyImagesThe Denver Broncos got themselves in a pretty interesting situation. Every single AFC playoff team but the Broncos won in Week 16, but Denver still controls their own destiny for the AFC West title and the first overall seed in the AFC.

The team getting out to a 12-2 start, coupled with how the other top AFC teams started, actually gave the Denver Broncos a scenario where they were able to afford a loss and still be in good shape, and that is precisely what happened.

If the Broncos win in Week 17 and Week 18, no matter what else happens, they'll be the first seed in the AFC for the first time since 2015, but a loss…