Broncos are the frontrunners to claim the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs after beating the Chiefs on Christmas Day

The Denver Broncos won't clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs before Week 18. The Broncos could have clinched the top seed in the conference on Sunday if the New England Patriots (12-3) lost and the Buffalo Bills (11-4) and Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) both tied or lost their games.

The New York Jets have stolen defensive back Keidron Smith off the Denver Broncos practice squad ahead of the New Orleans Saints game.

The Denver Broncos have a lot to focus on defensively because they were one of the best units in the NFL over the first 11 weeks of the season, but have clearly fallen off. With the Broncos having already clinched the division and pushing for the top seed in the AFC, this defensive fall-off is concerning and needs to be examined.

Sunday, 9:30 a.m. EDT, NFL Network. BetMGM NFL Odds: Broncos by 7 1/2. Against the spread: Broncos 2-2-1; Jets 2-3. Series record: Broncos lead 23-18-1. Last meeting: Broncos beat Jets 10-9 on Sept. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Last week ...

The Broncos, vying for the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff race, will take the field at 2:25 p.m. Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers in the regular-season finale at Empower Field at Mile High. The date and time of the game,

Seventh-year pro P.J. Locke is expected to replace Jones in the starting lineup, beginning Sunday when the Broncos host the Jacksonville Jaguars at Empower Field at Mile High. Locke logged one tackle and a pass deflection across 32 defensive snaps versus Green Bay.

Every week for the duration of the 2025 regular season , USA TODAY Sports will provide timely updates to the NFL 's ever-evolving playoff picture – typically starting Sunday afternoon and then moving forward for the remainder of the week (through Monday's and Thursday's games or Saturday's,