The Broncos spent the week enjoying their well-deserved and needed bye week following their thrilling win on Monday night over the Cleveland Browns. They improved to an 8-5 record and are on a three-game winning streak while sitting comfortably in seventh place in the AFC. As for the rest of the notable AFC playoff contenders, not much happened this week to change their outlook going forward.

The Ravens, Colts and Broncos were all in their bye week, so nothing really changed there. The Dolphins may have won to keep their slim hopes alive while the Bengals play the Cowboys on Monday Night Football tonight, but realistically they’re not really in the conversation. The only notable change was that the Chargers lost to the Chiefs and fell to a record of 8-5. That means all three AFC Wild Card teams are tied at 8-5 with four games remaining on the schedule.

The Broncos have a must-win game next Sunday against the Colts. I’m not sure about the deciding scenarios, but a win against the Colts should all but secure the Broncos a wild card spot. Hopefully they come out of the break rested and ready to play.

Look at the FanDuel sports betting odds for the Broncos’ playoff chancesThe Broncos are currently the big favorites to make it into the playoffs.

These FanDuel sports betting odds suggest that the Broncos are currently the favorites to make the postseason. They are 8-5 and have a two-game lead over the No. 8 seed Indianapolis Colts, who they face this Sunday. A win against the Colts would shift those odds heavily toward yes, while a loss would put them closer to 50/50.

Overall, with both its current record and upcoming schedule, Denver is in a great position to be in the playoff race come December.

Looking ahead

Let’s take a look at the upcoming schedules of all three Wild Card teams and the Colts, who appear to be the Broncos’ only competitor for the final Wild Card spot.

5. Seeds: Baltimore Ravens (8-5)

97 percent chance of making the playoffs

Upcoming schedule: at Giants, vs. Steelersat Texanand against Browns

The Ravens are coming off their bye with a disappointing loss to the Eagles. They have lost two of their last three games and picked up a win each over the Bengals and Chargers. They sit at 8-5

They have a very winnable game against the Giants next Sunday, but end the season with three tough games. This week will feature a thrilling matchup against the division rival Steelers and they will travel to Houston for another crucial game against an AFC playoff team before finishing the season against the Browns.

Outside of the Giants game, the final three games will be a tough test for the Ravens as they face two teams they have already beaten this season. They still make the playoffs, but could drop to seventh place if they lose one or two of their remaining games.

6th place: Los Angeles Chargers (8-5)

89% chance of making the playoffs

Upcoming schedule: vs. privateervs. Broncos, at the Patriots and at the Raiders

The Chargers lost to the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football and are now 8-5 on the year. They still have an 89 percent chance of reaching the postseason, but they still have four tough games on the schedule.

Next Sunday they host the Bucs, who are fighting for their survival in the postseason and will be a must-win game for them. Then, in a short week, they host the Broncos on Thursday Night Football, a game both teams must win. They then travel east to frigid Foxboro to take on the Patriots before finishing the season in Vegas against their division rivals, the Raiders.

It will be a difficult task for the Chargers, who will be tested in these final four games. The Broncos will have to snap a losing streak and beat them on Thursday Night Football if they want to jump up the seedings.

7th seed: Denver Broncos (8-5)

77% chance of making the playoffs

Upcoming schedule: against Colts, at Chargers (TNF), at Bengals and against Chiefs

The Broncos are coming off their bye week with a three-game winning streak and a record of 8-5. They beat the Browns in a wild game to close out Week 13 and had a much-needed bye week this past Sunday. Now they prepare to take on the Colts in a must-win game for the Broncos.

This game will be huge as they are the Broncos’ main rival for the final wild card spot. They have a two-game lead over the Colts and a win against them could all but secure the Broncos a playoff spot. After that, a key AFC West matchup on Thursday night between the Broncos and Chargers could have big postseason implications for both teams, followed by another tough road game against a reeling Bengals team. They end the year against the Chiefs, who probably have nothing to offer in the finals. With the Bills’ loss to the Rams and their win over the Chargers, the Chiefs have a two-game lead over the Bills with four games left. So it looks like the Chiefs will secure the one seed and rest their starters in the final against the Broncos.

At 8-5, I’m cautiously optimistic about the Broncos’ postseason hopes. However, all four remaining games will essentially be postseason games for them. Beating the Colts would be huge, but a loss puts them in danger. As I’ve said before, this is a must-win game for the Broncos.

8. Seeds: Indianapolis Colts (6-7)

24% chance of making the playoffs

Remaining schedule: at Broncos, vs. Titans, at Giants and vs. Jaguars

The Colts kept their slim postseason hopes alive with a comeback win over the Patriots before the bye week. Now they go into this Sunday rested and ready to take on a Broncos team in what will essentially be a playoff game for both teams. The Broncos’ postseason hopes will suffer a setback if they lose this game, while a Colts loss will virtually eliminate them from the postseason.

If the Colts win, they will have a favorable schedule for their next games against the Titans, Giants and Jaguars. All three teams are currently among the worst teams in the league and the Colts are favored in the games. So if they win, the Broncos could be in trouble.

Hanging by a thread

9. Seeds – Miami Dolphins (6-7): A comeback win over the Jets kept their slim postseason hopes alive, but they have little room for error going forward. To close out the year they have games against the Texans, 49ers, Browns and Jets, including two cold weather games for the Dolphins.

10. Seeds – Cincinnati Bengals (4-8): The Bengals are all but eliminated but still have to play Monday night against the Cowboys. A win would keep their hopes of staying on postseason life support, while a loss would likely eliminate them from the conversation. They will still be a tough opponent for the Broncos and could try to play spoilsport.