Well, it's Groundhog Day again.
The Denver Broncos have a chance to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive week.
But Denver has failed in its past two attempts and could still end up going inside on the outside Sunday night.
Here's how the Broncos could clinch a playoff spot in Week 18 and how they could be eliminated.
Denver Broncos playoff advancement scenario
The Broncos enter the final week of the 2024 NFL regular season with a 9-7 record, one game ahead of both the Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals, the only teams in the AFC vying for a playoff spot. .
Denver will take control of their own destiny this weekend. A win or tie against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon will earn the Broncos the No. 7 seed and the final AFC playoff spot.
The Broncos could return to the final playoff spot even if they lose to the Chiefs, who rest their starters on Sunday. Even if the Dolphins lose or tie with the New York Jets on Saturday night and the Bengals lose or tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Broncos will still be in the playoffs.
The Denver-Kansas City game will begin at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon, the same time as the Dolphins-Jets game.
Denver Broncos seeding scenario
The Broncos can only qualify as the No. 7 seed in the AFC.
Denver Broncos elimination scenario
Now, the bad news. Week 18 will be decided by the Broncos, but there's still a chance the Broncos will be eliminated on Sunday night. If the Broncos lose to the Chiefs, Denver will be eliminated if the Bengals win on Saturday night or the Dolphins win on Sunday afternoon.
AFC standings heading into week 18
1.z-kansas city chiefs (15-1)
2.y-buffalo bills (13-3)
3.×-baltimore ravens (11-5)
4.y-houston texans (9-7)
5.×-pittsburgh steelers (10-6, victory over LAC)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6, lost to PIT)*
7. denver broncos (9-7)*
8. miami dolphins (8-8, 6-5 AFC)*
9. cincinnati bengals (8-8, 5-6 AFC)*
10. indianapolis colts (7-9) — Eliminated
11. new york jets (4-12, 4-7 AFC, defeated JAX) — Eliminated
12. las vegas raiders (4-12, 3-8 AFC, defeated JAX) — Eliminated
13. jacksonville jaguars (4-12, 4-7 AFC, lost to NYJ & LV) — Lost
14. cleveland browns (3-13) — Eliminated
15. tennessee titans (3-13, win over NE) — Eliminated
16. New England Patriots (3-13, lost to TEN) — Eliminated
