Broncos' Rooting Guide for NFL Playoff Bracket Implications of Week 13

The Denver Broncos get to sit back and root for their playoff position to improve on Sunday.

Denver does not play until Monday night against the Cleveland Browns, and by the time kickoff rolls around, it could sit in an even better spot in the AFC wild-card race.

The two teams ahead of the Broncos in the wild-card race have tricky matchups against NFC foes, so there is a real possibility to gain ground in Week 13.

Denver does not face much competition at the moment from the teams beneath, but it always helps to have as much cushion as possible in case a losing streak pops up.

The Broncos already got help from the Green Bay Packers to drop the Miami Dolphins to 5-7 on Thanksgiving Day.

Falcons over Chargers

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DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on November 17, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

Denver needs the Atlanta Falcons to bounce back from their recent slide to take care of the Los Angeles Chargers.

Jim Harbaugh's team currently sits a half-game ahead of the Broncos in the AFC wild-card standings.

The Chargers could potentially slip up a few teams between Week 13 and their Week 16 clash with Denver.

Los Angeles is on the road in Kansas City in Week 14 and then hosts a Tampa Bay team getting healthier for the playoff push in Week 15.

Denver at least needs the Chargers to be within one game of it come Week 16 so that a head-to-head win levels the season series and eliminates that tiebreaker for the Chargers.

Eagles over Ravens

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, at SoFi Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

Denver needs some serious help if it wants to overcome its gap to the Baltimore Ravens,

Lamar Jackson and Co. are one game ahead with a head-to-head tiebreaker in tow over the Broncos.

Denver has to essentially make up two games on the Ravens to jump them and Week 13 presents a perfect time for a swing to happen.

Baltimore hosts the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday's marquee clash. A Ravens loss combined with a Broncos win would put the two sides level on record.

The Ravens still have a pair of AFC North clashes and a matchup with the Houston Texans left on their schedule, while Denver could realistically finish 4-1.

Patriots over Colts

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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 24: Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots in action against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Denver likely will not enter a multi-game tumble down the standings in December.

However, if that does happen, the Broncos need as much cushion to fall back on as possible.

The Indianapolis Colts are one of two five-win teams lingering around the wild-card spots in hopes they get hot and another team slows down.

A Colts loss to the New England Patriots could kill all of Indy's hope before it heads to Denver in Week 15.

A potential three-game advantage on Indianapolis and Miami going into Week 14 would be welcome for the Broncos as they navigate the stretch run of the regular season with a rookie quarterback.