Playoff picture: Broncos (AFC), Commanders (NFC) slotted as No. 7 seeds

Field Level Media|published: Tue 19th November, 16:23 2024

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Denver Broncos are the No. 7 seed and the final team in the AFC playoff picture entering Week 12 of the regular season.

A stranger to the postseason since last securing a spot in the 2015 season, the Broncos (6-5) are ahead of the Indianapolis Colts (5-6) and Miami Dolphins (4-6) in the conference wild-card race. Denver is effectively two games behind the current No. 6 seed because of a head-to-head loss to the Baltimore Ravens (7-4).

Denver's most recent postseason appearance came in Super Bowl 50 in 2016, when Peyton Manning -- in his final career game -- and the Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers.

Resurgent Washington, led by first-year head coach Dan Quinn, holds the No. 7 seed in the NFC through 11 weeks.

To move up from that spot, the Commanders (7-4) would need to overtake the Green Bay Packers (7-3) and Minnesota Vikings (8-2), who trail NFC North-leading and NFC No. 1 seed Detroit (9-1).

Washington last won a playoff game after the 2005 regular season and has lost four straight postseason games since (following the regular seasons of 2007, 2012, 2015 and 2020), all in the wild-card round.

Current NFL playoff picture:

AFC

1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)

2. Buffalo Bills (9-2)

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2)

4. Houston Texans (7-4)

5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)

6. Baltimore Ravens (7-4)

7. Denver Broncos (6-5)

NFC

1. Detroit Lions (9-1)

2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-2)