There’s a lot on the line heading into Week 17, but at least we don’t have to worry about clinching a playoff birth; that much was accomplished last Monday. Aside from that, though, almost everything is up in the air.
The Broncos could still finish as the No. 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6 seed, which basically puts any possible playoff opponent on the table. In fact, of the six other potential playoff contenders, the only team that Denver absolutely can’t matchup against in their first postseason game is the New England Patriots, who have already clinched their first-round bye.
So, taking the Patriots out of the equation, let’s run through the Broncos’ five potential playoff opponents and see which one is most worrisome, as well as how the Broncos could end up facing each:
5. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans may end up being the AFC South champions, but that’s only by default. Not only did they luck into a season where Andrew Luck missed half the year with torn-up insides, but they got to face one of the league’s easiest schedules, too, playing the rest of the AFC South (a combined 15 wins) twice. In fact, the Texans really have just two “good” wins on their record, against the Bengals and Jets. That may be more than the NFC East champion Redskins, but it’s still not all that impressive.
The Texans are currently 8-7 because of two players — J.J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins — and that’s it; apart from them, there’s just not much talent on this Houston roster. The fact that they’re hoping and praying that Brian Hoyer can come back from his concussion in time for the playoffs should tell you everything you need to know.
That said, they aren’t a pushover. As the Broncos know very well, even the worst division champion can win a playoff game. And those two guys, Hopkins and Watt, are freaks of nature. Against this Broncos offensive line, I wouldn’t be surprised if Watt had 45 sacks.
Still, if there’s one team the Broncos should be able to out-talent easily, it’s the Texans.
HOW THEY MEET: (1) Broncos lose, Jets lose, Steelers lose and Chiefs win, giving Denver the No. 5 seed; (2) Broncos win and Patriots lose, giving Denver the No. 1 seed, and top seeds all win out in Wild Card Round; (3) Broncos win and Patriots win, giving Denver the No. 2 seed, and sixth seed beets the third seed in Wild Card Round.
