Two weeks ago, the idea of heading into the postseason as the No. 1 seed in the AFC West seemed all but impossible. Following two collapses to the Raiders and Steelers, not only would they need to win both of their final two games, but the Patriots would need to fall short against both the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, something they’re not known for doing.
But after the Patriots did in fact back into the playoffs with two straight losses, the Broncos were left in a position where one victory over the San Diego Chargers and the the AFC playoffs would go through Denver.
After sputtering through the first two-plus quarters with five turnovers, Gary Kubiak made one of the biggest decisions of his career: He benched Brock Osweiler for Peyton Manning.
The Broncos went on to score 20 points under Manning to take a 27-20 lead over Philip Rivers and the Chargers, which the Denver defense made sure was the final score.
Now, even after all the drama of this season, the Denver Broncos are 12-4, they’re the AFC West champions and they’re the No. 1 seed in the AFC. That’s something to celebrate.
IT’S OFFICIAL: The AFC goes through Denver. pic.twitter.com/2jyBrHfYXV
— NFL (@NFL) January 4, 2016
— James Merilatt (@jamesmerilatt) January 4, 2016
And you can put this in the refrigerator. @Broncos will win & get the top seed. You can dance now. pic.twitter.com/BwRrQtlqYK
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) January 4, 2016
It’s over! #Broncos clinch the AFC’s top see
— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) January 4, 2016
AFC WEST CHAMPIONS!! #BRONCOS!
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) January 4, 2016
There’s a new Sheriff in town, same name as the old one! #PFM
— BigHeadSports (@BigHeadSports) January 4, 2016
Your #1 team in the AFC… the Denver Broncos
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) January 4, 2016
Manning and Brady both get playoff byes for the fourth straight year. Crazy.
— Chris Wesseling (@ChrisWesseling) January 4, 2016
So Denver gets the #1 seed courtesy of the running game and 20 2nd half points with Peyton under center…just like we all thought this AM
— trey wingo (@wingoz) January 4, 2016
Five turnovers, a QB change and more injuries … but now the road to Santa Clara goes through Denver.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) January 4, 2016
5 turnovers and a win… I know we’re all going to be drooling over Peyton all week, but story of the day and of this season is the defense
— Nate Kreckman (@NateKreckman) January 4, 2016
Well. Peyton can write a script that even Hollywood would scoff at now
— Colin Daniels (@southstands303) January 4, 2016
When the #Broncos win, the sun shines a little brighter and pretty girls smile a little longer!
— Quentin Sickafoose (@QSickafoose) January 4, 2016
In the AFC, #Broncos are now the No. 1 seed with home-field advantage throughout. #Patriots are 2. Could we get Peyton vs Brady after all?
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 4, 2016
Peyton giddy.
— Dan Hanzus (@DanHanzus) January 4, 2016
Peyton so happy…good for him!
— Duke Ihenacho (@NachoLyfe) January 4, 2016
If you’re not happy for Peyton right now, you might be a droid. #Broncos
— Daniel Mohrmann (@DanMohrmann) January 4, 2016
Peyton Manning was giddy after the game. So many good nuggets to @tracywolfson.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) January 4, 2016
Five consecutive division titles is something @Broncos fans can celebrate, too. Again atop the AFC West food chain. pic.twitter.com/7tbkF5Vxkd
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) January 4, 2016
Big win! Broncos earn #1 overall seed!
— mark schlereth (@markschlereth) January 4, 2016
Here we go — 12 – 4! #1 seed, it all comes through Mile High! All together now: #kickingandscreaming!
— Ed McCaffrey (@87ed) January 4, 2016
Just think … A week ago during the first half of the Bengals game, Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden were talking about how Denver was about to fall out of the playoffs together. Now, they playoffs go through them.
