Denver, Colorado — The Denver Broncos clinched the top seed in the American Football Conference on Sunday with a decisive 19-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High, capping off a remarkable 14-3 regular season in quarterback Bo Nix's second year with the team.
This triumph marks a stunning turnaround for the Broncos, who had missed the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons following their Super Bowl 50 victory in 2016 with Peyton Manning at the helm. Last season, Nix led Denver to the postseason for the first time since that championship run, only to fall in the wild-card round to the Buffalo Bills. Now, with the No. 1 seed secured, the Broncos will enjoy home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, potentially setting up a rematch with Buffalo in the divisional round two weeks from now.
The game against the Chargers, played on January 4, 2026, unfolded under clear skies in Denver, where temperatures hovered around 35 degrees Fahrenheit. According to reports from the sidelines, the Broncos struck first with a field goal on their opening drive, putting three points on the board early. Momentum shifted dramatically when Denver's defense forced a turnover, leading to a pick-six that extended the lead to 10-0 before the Chargers could mount any significant response.
Both offenses struggled throughout the afternoon, resulting in a total of 13 punts exchanged between the teams. The Broncos' defense, which has been a cornerstone of their success all season, held firm, limiting the Chargers to just three points. Denver added to their lead with additional field goals and a late touchdown, sealing the win at 19-3.
The Chargers' decision to rest starting quarterback Justin Herbert played a significant role in the lopsided outcome. With Los Angeles already locked into either the No. 6 or No. 7 seed in the AFC playoffs, the team opted to give backup Trey Lance, the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, his first start of the season. Lance, who has struggled to find consistency since entering the league, completed only 12 of 25 passes for 98 yards, according to official game statistics.
Denver's victory eliminated any lingering hopes for the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars to claim the top seed. The Patriots, who finished the season at 11-6, needed a Broncos loss combined with their own win to overtake Denver but fell short in their matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Similarly, the Jaguars, with a 10-7 record, required losses from both New England and Denver, a scenario that never materialized.
This is the first time the Broncos have earned the AFC's top seed since 2015, the same year they went on to win Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers. That season, under Manning's leadership, Denver finished 12-4 and dominated the playoffs with a defense that sacked opposing quarterbacks 52 times. Fast forward a decade, and the Broncos' current unit has echoed that defensive prowess, allowing the fewest points in the AFC at just 16.2 per game.
Bo Nix, the 24-year-old quarterback selected 12th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Oregon, has been the catalyst for this resurgence. In his rookie year, Nix threw for 3,775 yards and 24 touchdowns, earning praise for his poise under pressure. This season, he improved to 4,125 yards and 28 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions, according to league records. Head coach Sean Payton, who joined the Broncos in 2023 after a successful stint with the New Orleans Saints, has credited Nix's rapid development for the team's ascent.
The Broncos' path to the top seed was not without challenges. Early in the season, they dropped two games in Weeks 3 and 4 to the Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively, putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy. However, a seven-game winning streak from Weeks 5 through 11, including a 31-20 upset over the Chiefs on the road, propelled them to the forefront of the AFC West standings.
Defensive standouts like cornerback Pat Surtain II and defensive ends Eyioma Uwazurike and Sai'vion Jones were instrumental in Sunday's win. Surtain, a two-time Pro Bowler, recorded his fourth interception of the season on the pick-six play, while Uwazurike and Jones contributed to a crucial fumble recovery in the second half. The Broncos' defensive line, bolstered by the addition of veteran tackle Malcolm Roach in free agency, has sacked quarterbacks 45 times this year, tying for second in the league.
Looking back, the Broncos' eight-year playoff drought was marked by quarterback instability and coaching changes. After Manning's retirement, Denver cycled through Trevor Siemian, Case Keenum, Joe Flacco, and Drew Lock without finding a long-term solution. The arrival of Payton and the drafting of Nix signaled a new era, one that has now positioned the team as the AFC's premier squad.
As the playoffs approach, all eyes will be on how the Broncos handle the postseason pressure. Their last home playoff game was in 2015, a wild-card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. With the Bills, Chiefs, and Ravens as potential opponents, Denver's home-field edge at the high-altitude Empower Field could prove decisive. Fans in Denver are already buzzing, with season-ticket holders recalling the electric atmosphere of Super Bowl 50 preparations.
The broader AFC playoff picture features intense competition. The Buffalo Bills, who eliminated Denver last year, secured the No. 2 seed with a 12-5 record after defeating the New York Jets in Week 18. The Kansas City Chiefs, defending Super Bowl champions, earned the No. 3 spot at 11-6, while the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals round out the top contenders. In the wild-card race, the Chargers, despite the loss, will host a first-round game as the No. 7 seed.
For the Broncos organization, this achievement validates the front office's strategy under general manager George Paton. Investments in the defensive line and offensive line, including the 2025 draft picks of offensive tackle Troy Franklin and edge rusher Baron Browning's extension, have paid dividends. As Payton prepares his team for the postseason, he emphasized the importance of maintaining focus, reportedly telling reporters after the game, "We've got the seed, but the real work starts now."
With the regular season concluded, the NFL playoffs begin next weekend, and Denver's faithful are optimistic about a return to glory. The Broncos' 14-3 finish not only secures rest for key players during the wild-card bye but also reignites memories of their championship pedigree. As the team shifts gears toward January's high-stakes games, the Mile High City braces for what could be another magical run.