The NFL regular season is nearing its close, and multiple teams are forced to decide whether to prioritize rest or a high seeding. Despite room for movement in both the NFC and AFC playoff pictures, many teams have still chosen to sit their starters in Week 18.
The top-seeded Denver Broncos, however, have a different plan for the season finale.
What is the Broncos’ plan against the Chargers’?
As it currently stands, Denver (13-3) controls the one-seed in the AFC. Following the Broncos comes the two-seed New England Patriots (13-3), and the three-seed Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4). With each team being separated by a game or fewer, there can still be movement at the top of the conference.
If the Broncos beat the Chargers in Week 18, they will officially claim the top seed in the AFC. If Denver loses, however, both Jacksonville and New England would have the opportunity to surpass them.
Despite the Jaguars being a game back in the loss column, they hold the tie-breaker against the Broncos due to their previous head-to-head matchup, in which the Jaguars won. If the Broncos fall to the Chargers, and the Jaguars defeat the Titans, Jacksonville would move up to the one-seed.
The Patriots also have a very winnable matchup. They host the Dolphins on Sunday afternoon. Again, New England could jump Denver with a win and a Broncos loss. This result could drop Denver as low as third in the playoff picture.
Simply put, if Denver wants to secure the top seed in the AFC, it will have to win. The one-seed would grant Denver a first-round bye and home-field advantage in each of its playoff matchups. With this in mind, there is zero doubt that Denver will play every one of its starters on Sunday.
On another note, the Broncos are fortunate to be playing the Chargers, whose head coach, Jim Harbaugh, has announced that the team will rest key starters, including quarterback Justin Herbert. Trey Lance and more backups should fill in, causing the oddsmakers to list Denver as a 13.5-point favorite, the largest of the week.
Denver has the 12th-best offense and the 2nd-ranked defense, according to PFSN’s Impact metrics. Nearly every star and starter appears to be in full health, and the team has been almost unstoppable since late September.
The Broncos have a prime opportunity to capitalize and claim the one-seed and first-round bye in the postseason. If everything goes according to plan, Denver may become the odds-on favorite to win the Super Bowl.
