Broncos inch closer to No. 1 seed, two teams can still prevent it

The Denver Broncos took care of business against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas night and then got some help this weekend in the race for home-field advantage in the AFC. 

Following the Houston Texans' 20-16 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, the Broncos clinched the AFC West division, their first division title in 10 years. That took a little bit of pressure off the team in Week 18, but there is still much to play for. 

The Buffalo Bills also fell out of the running to be the No. 1 seed in the AFC when they were beaten by the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, 13-12. However, there are still two teams lurking, waiting for the Broncos to slip on a banana peel in the season finale. 

AFC Home-field advantage clinching scenarios

Denver Broncos (13-3): The Broncos control their own destiny, so if they beat the Chargers next Sunday, they will clinch the No. 1 overall seed. However, that won't come easily. The Broncos have only lost three games this season and one of those was to the Chargers. 

However, the Chargers will be a Wild Card team and will be playing on the road in the first round of the playoffs. Without a chance to be anything higher than the No. 5 seed, the team will likely toss around the idea of sitting some starters next week. For a team that has been decimated by injuries this season, it will be a tough decision to make. 

New England Patriots (13-3): The Patriots have the same record as the Broncos, but cannot get above them as the Broncos hold the tiebreaker over them. 

In order for the Patriots to be the No. 1 seed, they must defeat the Miami Dolphins in Week 18 and have the Broncos lose to the Chargers. The Dolphins have played spirited football down the stretch this season and gave the Patriots all they wanted back in Week 2. 

Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4): The Jaguars have not even clinched the AFC South division yet, but they are still in the running for the top spot in the conference because they do hold a victory over the Broncos, snapping their 11-game winning streak in Week 16. 

To become the No. 1 seed, the Jaguars must defeat the Tennessee Titans in Week 18 (which would make them AFC South champions) and have both the Broncos and Patriots lose in Week 18. 

READ: RJ Harvey joins extremely impressive list for rookie running backs

It will be an exciting season finale for Broncos fans as the team has the chance to have every playoff game it plays in take place at Empower Field at Mile High. 

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