AFC Standings Favor the Denver Broncos After Week 13

The 2025 NFL season’s AFC race has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, but after Week 13, one team has clearly seized control of its playoff destiny: the Denver Broncos. Following a dominant 38-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Broncos improved their record to 10-2, a mark that not only puts them atop the AFC West but also positions them as the No. 2 seed in the AFC overall—just one game behind the undefeated Baltimore Ravens. What makes this standing even more impressive is the way the Broncos have climbed the ranks: they’ve won eight consecutive games, a streak built on balanced offense, stifling defense, and clutch performances in high-pressure moments. AFC Standings Favor the Denver Broncos After Week 13 breaks down how the Broncos’ Week 13 win solidified their position in the AFC, how their record compares to other playoff contenders, and what this means for their path to the Super Bowl. For Broncos fans, this standing isn’t just a number—it’s a sign that the team’s rebuild has paid off, and they’re now legitimate championship contenders.

AFC Standings Favor the Denver Broncos After Week 13 begins with the impact of their Week 13 win over the Steelers, a game that served as a statement to the rest of the AFC. Entering the week, the Broncos were tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC West lead, but their victory—combined with the Chiefs’ 24-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills—pushed Denver to sole possession of first place in the division. The win was never in doubt: quarterback Bo Nix threw for 310 yards and four touchdowns, while the defense (led by edge rusher Nik Bonitto, who recorded a sack and two pass deflections) held the Steelers to just 17 points and forced three turnovers. This dominant performance not only improved the Broncos’ record but also boosted their strength of schedule (SOS) and strength of victory (SOV)—two key tiebreakers that could prove crucial if they end the season tied with other top AFC teams. “This win was about more than just getting another W,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton said after the game. “It was about taking control of our division and showing the AFC that we’re a team to be reckoned with. Every game from here on out is important, but this one helped us take a big step forward.” The Week 13 victory also extended the Broncos’ home winning streak to six games, making Empower Field at Mile High a feared destination for opposing teams.

To fully understand why the AFC standings favor the Broncos after Week 13, it’s important to compare their record and performance to other top AFC contenders. The Ravens (11-1) remain the No. 1 seed, but they’ve faced a slightly easier schedule than the Broncos—Denver’s SOS ranks 8th in the NFL, while Baltimore’s ranks 15th. The Bills (9-3), who sit at No. 3 in the AFC, lost to the Broncos earlier in the season (28-21 in Week 14), giving Denver the head-to-head tiebreaker if the two teams finish with the same record. The Chiefs (8-4), once the favorites to win the AFC West, have now fallen two games behind the Broncos and face a tough remaining schedule that includes matchups against the Ravens and Bills. Even the Cleveland Browns (8-4) and Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4), who are in the thick of the wild-card race, trail the Broncos by two games and have less favorable tiebreakers. “Our record speaks for itself, but the tiebreakers are just as important,” Broncos general manager George Paton said. “We’ve beaten good teams, we’ve won on the road, and we’ve taken care of business in our division. All of that puts us in a great position if we have to settle ties at the end of the season.” AFC Standings Favor the Denver Broncos After Week 13 highlights these comparisons as proof of the Broncos’ strong standing in the AFC.

AFC Standings Favor the Denver Broncos After Week 13 also delves into the Broncos’ remaining schedule, which gives them a clear path to maintaining or improving their position in the AFC. After Week 13, the Broncos have five games left: two against divisional rivals (the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers) and three against non-division opponents (the Houston Texans, New England Patriots, and Chicago Bears). Of these five teams, only the Texans (7-5) are currently in the playoff hunt—meaning the Broncos have a chance to pad their record against weaker competition while resting key players down the stretch if they secure the division title early. For the Denver Broncos, this favorable schedule is a luxury that many other top AFC teams don’t have: the Ravens still have to face the Chiefs and Bills, while the Bills have matchups against the Ravens and Chiefs left. “Our remaining schedule is a gift, but we can’t take it for granted,” Payton said. “We have to approach every game like it’s a playoff game, because one loss could change everything. But if we stay focused, we have a chance to finish with one of the best records in the AFC.” The Broncos’ ability to win against lesser opponents will also help them build momentum heading into the playoffs, where they’ll likely face tougher competition.

Another key factor in the Broncos’ favorable AFC standing after Week 13 is their balanced team performance, which has made them one of the most consistent teams in the league. On offense, the Broncos rank 6th in the NFL in total yards per game (380) and 5th in points per game (28.5), led by Nix’s career year (3,400 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, 4 interceptions) and a running game that averages 130 yards per game. On defense, they rank 7th in total yards allowed per game (310) and 4th in points allowed per game (19.2), with a pass rush that has recorded 38 sacks (4th in the NFL) and a secondary that has intercepted 12 passes (tied for 3rd). This balance means the Broncos don’t have to rely on one side of the ball to win—they can dominate with offense, shut down opponents with defense, or do a little bit of both. For the Denver Broncos, this consistency has been key to their eight-game winning streak: they’ve won games by blowout, they’ve won close games, and they’ve won games where their offense struggled but their defense stepped up. “The best teams in the NFL are balanced, and that’s what we’ve become,” Nix said. “We don’t have to worry about one aspect of our game failing because we have so many guys who can make plays. That’s why we’re in the position we’re in right now.”

AFC Standings Favor the Denver Broncos After Week 13 concludes with a look at what this standing means for the Broncos’ playoff aspirations. As the No. 2 seed in the AFC, the Broncos would earn a first-round bye and a home game in the Divisional Round if the season ended after Week 13—a huge advantage, as home teams in the NFL playoffs win nearly 60% of the time. Even if they slip to the No. 3 seed, they’d still get a home game in the Wild Card Round, which would give them a chance to build on their current home winning streak. For the Denver Broncos, this standing is the result of months of hard work, from training camp to the regular season, and it’s a sign that the team is ready to compete for a Super Bowl. “We’re not satisfied with just making the playoffs,” Bonitto said. “We want to win the whole thing. Being in this position gives us a great chance to do that, but we have to keep working. Every game from here on out is a step toward our goal.” As the season enters its final stretch, all eyes will be on the Broncos to see if they can maintain their standing and make a deep playoff run. In the end, AFC Standings Favor the Denver Broncos After Week 13 isn’t just about where the team stands right now—it’s about where they’re going, and the future looks bright for a franchise that has finally returned to the top of the AFC.