Breaking down who the Broncos will play in the Divisional Round of the 2026 NFL Playoffs

Breaking down who the Broncos will play in the Divisional Round of the 2026 NFL Playoffs

Sports news

The Denver Broncos are back in the playoffs for the second consecutive year, but this season expectations have grown considerably. A year removed from a 10-7 record and Wild Card Round exit against the Buffalo Bills, the Broncos are back with a 14-3 record and the No. 1 seed in the AFC bracket.

The No. 1 seed brings a first round bye, which means they have an extra week to get healthy for their first playoff game. This will be of particular help to their defense, which was without linebacker Dre Greenlaw and defensive end John Franklin-Myers at the close of the regular season. Franklin-Myers seemed closer to a return, but even Greenlaw has a shot at returning.

Denver Broncos’ next playoff opponent

The NFL re-seeds the bracket after the first round of games. That means that we won’t immediately know the specific team the Broncos will face in the Divisional Round. Instead, Denver will face the worst remaining seed when the Wild Card Round concludes on Monday. If all the higher seeds win this first weekend, the Broncos would play the No. 4 seeded Pittsburgh Steelers. If all the lower seeds won upsets, Denver would play the No. 7 seeded Los Angeles Chargers. The No. 5 Houston and No. 6 Buffalo Bills are also in the mix as Divisional Round opponents depending on how the higher seeds perform.

The earliest the Broncos will know their opponent is the end of Sunday after the Patriots-Chargers 2/7 matchup. If LA wins, they would travel to Denver in the Divisional Round. Otherwise it depends on the results of Bills-Jaguars and Texans-Steelers.

History vs. potential opponents

vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 15-11-1 regular season, 5-3 postseason all-time — They last played in 2024, with the Steelers winning 13-3 in Denver. Pittsburgh has won three straight in this regular season series. They last played a playoff game in 2016, with the Broncos beating the Steelers 23-16 in the Divisional Round.

vs. Houston Texans:7-4 regular season all-time — Denver beat Houston 18-15 in Week 9 this season. The Broncos came back from an eight point deficit, winning the game on a Wil Lutz field goal as time expired. They have never faced each other in the playoffs.

vs. Buffalo Bills: 17-22-1 regular season, 0-2 postseason all-time — The last time these two teams met was in last year’s Wild Card Round. The Bills thumped the Broncos 31-7. it was their first meeting since the Broncos won a 2023 Monday Night Football game, and their first playoff meeting since the Bills won the 1992 AFC Championship.

vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: 7-7 regular season, 1-1 postseason all-time — The Jaguars won the last meeting between these two in impressive fashion. They won 34-20 in Denver in Week 16. They last met in the playoffs in 1997 when the Broncos thumped them 42-17 in the Wild Card round. They had met the previous year in the Divisional Round when the Jaguars shocked them in Denver in only their second season in existence.

Early Divisional Round odds

FanDuel has posted hypothetical odds for the various potential Divisional Round matchups.

Chargers @ Broncos
Spread: Broncos -3
Total: 41.5
Moneyline: Broncos -178, Chargers +150

Bills @ Broncos
Spread: Bills -1.5
Total: 47.5
Moneyline: Bills -130, Broncos +110

Texans @ Broncos
Spread: Broncos -1.5
Total: 38.5
Moneyline: Broncos -120, Texans +102

Steekers @ Broncos
Spread: Broncos -4.5
Total: 41.5
Moneyline: Broncos -240, Steelers +198

Denver Broncos playoff history

The Broncos reached the playoffs as a wild card team last season and lost to the Bills in the first round. The last time they reached the playoffs prior to that was in 2015, when Peyton Manning led them to a Super Bowl victory. Coincidentally, that Super Bowl was in Levi’s Stadium, which is the site of this year’s Super Bowl. That was the close of a five-year run of playoff appearances.

That Super Bowl year was also the last time the Broncos were a No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff bracket. This year marks their AFC record ninth time as the top seed in the conference. Two of their three Super Bowl victories have come as the No. 1 seed, and they’ve advanced to the Super Bowl in six of the eight previous seasons in which they were the No. 1 seed.

Source link
#Breaking #Broncos #play #Divisional #NFL #Playoffs

Tag

Related Posts

Deadspin | Mirra Andreeva, Marta Kostyuk to square off in Madrid Open final Mar 23, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Mirra Andreeva serves against Victoria Mboko (CAN) (not pictured) on day 7 of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Mirra Andreeva of Russia will meet Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in the Madrid Open final after they pulled out semifinal victories Thursday. Andreeva, the ninth seed, fought past No. 30 seed Hailey Baptiste 6-4, 7-6 (8). No. 26 seed Kostyuk needed three sets to vanquish Austria’s Anastasia Potapova 6-2, 1-6, 6-1. In winning the semifinal showdown one day after her 19th birthday, Andreeva became the first teenager to reach three WTA 1000 finals since the format was introduced in 2009. She rose the rankings last season when she won the WTA 1000 titles at Dubai and Indian Wells back-to-back. Andreeva had a difficult challenger in Baptiste, who upset World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the quarterfinals. Baptiste saved six match points against Sabalenka and saved two more on Friday against Andreeva, one of them during the second-set tiebreaker. First, Andreeva clawed out of a 4-0 hole by winning the next four points in a row. She saved three set points for Baptiste and took an 8-7 lead. Baptiste saved that one with an ace before Andreeva finished the job. “After (the tiebreaker) was 4-0, I just really tried to win one point. And then after one point I said to myself, ‘OK, let’s win another one,'” Andreeva said. “I just tried to play point by point, and I guess that’s how I came back in the tiebreak as well.” Andreeva won a stellar 35 of 43 first-service points (81.4%) and only faced a break point once. Kostyuk, meanwhile, advanced to her first career WTA 1000 final and remained unbeaten on clay to start the season. Kostyuk won the Open Rouen Metropole on the surface earlier this month in France. Kostyuk saved 8 of 12 break points on her serve while converting 6 of 13 opportunities to break Potapova’s serve. She bounced back from a second-set drubbing to win the first four games of the third set and regain control. Andreeva may have the better seed and more experience at the 1000 level, but she said she doesn’t consider herself the favorite in the final. “I’ve learned not to care about the rankings of my opponent or the last name of my opponent as well,” Andreeva said. “I’m just going to try to go on court and do the things that I have to do to really focus on the game plan that we create with (coach Conchita Martinez), and that’s the only thing I can control.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Mirra #Andreeva #Marta #Kostyuk #square #Madrid #Open #finalMar 23, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Mirra Andreeva serves against Victoria Mboko (CAN) (not pictured) on day 7 of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Mirra Andreeva of Russia will meet Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in the Madrid Open final after they pulled out semifinal victories Thursday.

Andreeva, the ninth seed, fought past No. 30 seed Hailey Baptiste 6-4, 7-6 (8). No. 26 seed Kostyuk needed three sets to vanquish Austria’s Anastasia Potapova 6-2, 1-6, 6-1.

In winning the semifinal showdown one day after her 19th birthday, Andreeva became the first teenager to reach three WTA 1000 finals since the format was introduced in 2009. She rose the rankings last season when she won the WTA 1000 titles at Dubai and Indian Wells back-to-back.

Andreeva had a difficult challenger in Baptiste, who upset World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the quarterfinals. Baptiste saved six match points against Sabalenka and saved two more on Friday against Andreeva, one of them during the second-set tiebreaker.

First, Andreeva clawed out of a 4-0 hole by winning the next four points in a row. She saved three set points for Baptiste and took an 8-7 lead. Baptiste saved that one with an ace before Andreeva finished the job.


“After (the tiebreaker) was 4-0, I just really tried to win one point. And then after one point I said to myself, ‘OK, let’s win another one,'” Andreeva said. “I just tried to play point by point, and I guess that’s how I came back in the tiebreak as well.”

Andreeva won a stellar 35 of 43 first-service points (81.4%) and only faced a break point once.

Kostyuk, meanwhile, advanced to her first career WTA 1000 final and remained unbeaten on clay to start the season. Kostyuk won the Open Rouen Metropole on the surface earlier this month in France.

Kostyuk saved 8 of 12 break points on her serve while converting 6 of 13 opportunities to break Potapova’s serve. She bounced back from a second-set drubbing to win the first four games of the third set and regain control.

Andreeva may have the better seed and more experience at the 1000 level, but she said she doesn’t consider herself the favorite in the final.

“I’ve learned not to care about the rankings of my opponent or the last name of my opponent as well,” Andreeva said. “I’m just going to try to go on court and do the things that I have to do to really focus on the game plan that we create with (coach Conchita Martinez), and that’s the only thing I can control.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Mirra #Andreeva #Marta #Kostyuk #square #Madrid #Open #final">Deadspin | Mirra Andreeva, Marta Kostyuk to square off in Madrid Open final Mar 23, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Mirra Andreeva serves against Victoria Mboko (CAN) (not pictured) on day 7 of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Mirra Andreeva of Russia will meet Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in the Madrid Open final after they pulled out semifinal victories Thursday. Andreeva, the ninth seed, fought past No. 30 seed Hailey Baptiste 6-4, 7-6 (8). No. 26 seed Kostyuk needed three sets to vanquish Austria’s Anastasia Potapova 6-2, 1-6, 6-1. In winning the semifinal showdown one day after her 19th birthday, Andreeva became the first teenager to reach three WTA 1000 finals since the format was introduced in 2009. She rose the rankings last season when she won the WTA 1000 titles at Dubai and Indian Wells back-to-back. Andreeva had a difficult challenger in Baptiste, who upset World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the quarterfinals. Baptiste saved six match points against Sabalenka and saved two more on Friday against Andreeva, one of them during the second-set tiebreaker. First, Andreeva clawed out of a 4-0 hole by winning the next four points in a row. She saved three set points for Baptiste and took an 8-7 lead. Baptiste saved that one with an ace before Andreeva finished the job. “After (the tiebreaker) was 4-0, I just really tried to win one point. And then after one point I said to myself, ‘OK, let’s win another one,'” Andreeva said. “I just tried to play point by point, and I guess that’s how I came back in the tiebreak as well.” Andreeva won a stellar 35 of 43 first-service points (81.4%) and only faced a break point once. Kostyuk, meanwhile, advanced to her first career WTA 1000 final and remained unbeaten on clay to start the season. Kostyuk won the Open Rouen Metropole on the surface earlier this month in France. Kostyuk saved 8 of 12 break points on her serve while converting 6 of 13 opportunities to break Potapova’s serve. She bounced back from a second-set drubbing to win the first four games of the third set and regain control. Andreeva may have the better seed and more experience at the 1000 level, but she said she doesn’t consider herself the favorite in the final. “I’ve learned not to care about the rankings of my opponent or the last name of my opponent as well,” Andreeva said. “I’m just going to try to go on court and do the things that I have to do to really focus on the game plan that we create with (coach Conchita Martinez), and that’s the only thing I can control.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Mirra #Andreeva #Marta #Kostyuk #square #Madrid #Open #final

RR vs DC Live Score, IPL 2026: Starc expected to return for Delhi Capitals; Toss at 7:00 PM, match news Axar Patel (C), K.L. Rahul, Karun Nair, David Miller, Pathum Nissanka, Sahil Parakh, Prithvi Shaw, Abishek Porel, Tristan Stubbs, Sameer Rizvi, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Ajay Mandal, Tripurana Vijay, Madhav Tiwari, Auqib Dar, Nitish Rana, Mitchell Starc, T. Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, Dushmantha Chameera, Lungisani Ngidi, Kyle Jamieson, Kuldeep Yadav. #Live #Score #IPL #Starc #expected #return #Delhi #Capitals #Toss #match #news

Deadspin | Fernando Alonso unsure of F1 future, but won’t stop racing Apr 30, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aston Martin Racing driver Fernando Alonso (14) speaks to reporters at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images In the midst of a disappointing season as an Aston Martin driver, Fernando Alonso isn’t in a hurry to make a decision on his Formula 1 future. The two-time F1 series champion (2005-06), racing in his 23rd season at the top level of competition, remains up in the air about the future of his Aston Martin contract, which expires at the end of this season. “I’m not sure,” Alonso said Thursday ahead of this weekend’s race in Miami when asked about his future. “I’m open to everything. I think until probably after the summer break I will not really sit down with the team and make the decision. We need to see also how the car improves and how we see things into next year. I’m very relaxed.” Alonso, 44, finished fourth in his first season with Aston Martin in 2023 followed by ninth and 10th the last two seasons. Car troubles have prevented him from finishing two of the first three Grand Prix of this season, hurtling him down to 21st in the driver standings. “We have a tough start to the season but we are all embracing this challenge,” Alonso said. “We are together on this, Aston Martin and Honda. Hopefully we can see some results and start having fun on the weekends.” He’s won 32 career F1 races, but none since 2013. While Alonso sounded uncertain about his future racing in F1, he made it clear that exit wouldn’t mean he’s done driving competitively. “I will continue racing. If it’s not F1, I will do Dakar (Rally),” Alonso said. “I said many times it’s a challenge that I want to take, winning endurance racing, F1 and rally. That will probably be unprecedented for any racing driver in the past, so it’s something that is very appealing.” Alonso previously didn’t race in F1 during 2019 and 2020. He twice won the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2018, 2019) and also won a World Endurance championship. Regardless of whether he returns to drive for Aston Martin in F1 in 2027, Alonso also said he plans to be around the team. “I will keep active even if I stop F1. I’m also linked with this team, with this project,” Alonso said. “I want to succeed here, behind the wheel or not behind the wheel, you will see me in the paddock even if I stop racing.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Fernando #Alonso #unsure #future #wont #stop #racingApr 30, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aston Martin Racing driver Fernando Alonso (14) speaks to reporters at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

In the midst of a disappointing season as an Aston Martin driver, Fernando Alonso isn’t in a hurry to make a decision on his Formula 1 future.

The two-time F1 series champion (2005-06), racing in his 23rd season at the top level of competition, remains up in the air about the future of his Aston Martin contract, which expires at the end of this season.

“I’m not sure,” Alonso said Thursday ahead of this weekend’s race in Miami when asked about his future.

“I’m open to everything. I think until probably after the summer break I will not really sit down with the team and make the decision. We need to see also how the car improves and how we see things into next year. I’m very relaxed.”

Alonso, 44, finished fourth in his first season with Aston Martin in 2023 followed by ninth and 10th the last two seasons. Car troubles have prevented him from finishing two of the first three Grand Prix of this season, hurtling him down to 21st in the driver standings.

“We have a tough start to the season but we are all embracing this challenge,” Alonso said. “We are together on this, Aston Martin and Honda. Hopefully we can see some results and start having fun on the weekends.”


He’s won 32 career F1 races, but none since 2013.

While Alonso sounded uncertain about his future racing in F1, he made it clear that exit wouldn’t mean he’s done driving competitively.

“I will continue racing. If it’s not F1, I will do Dakar (Rally),” Alonso said. “I said many times it’s a challenge that I want to take, winning endurance racing, F1 and rally. That will probably be unprecedented for any racing driver in the past, so it’s something that is very appealing.”

Alonso previously didn’t race in F1 during 2019 and 2020. He twice won the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2018, 2019) and also won a World Endurance championship.

Regardless of whether he returns to drive for Aston Martin in F1 in 2027, Alonso also said he plans to be around the team.

“I will keep active even if I stop F1. I’m also linked with this team, with this project,” Alonso said. “I want to succeed here, behind the wheel or not behind the wheel, you will see me in the paddock even if I stop racing.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Fernando #Alonso #unsure #future #wont #stop #racing">Deadspin | Fernando Alonso unsure of F1 future, but won’t stop racing Apr 30, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aston Martin Racing driver Fernando Alonso (14) speaks to reporters at Miami International Autodrome. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images In the midst of a disappointing season as an Aston Martin driver, Fernando Alonso isn’t in a hurry to make a decision on his Formula 1 future. The two-time F1 series champion (2005-06), racing in his 23rd season at the top level of competition, remains up in the air about the future of his Aston Martin contract, which expires at the end of this season. “I’m not sure,” Alonso said Thursday ahead of this weekend’s race in Miami when asked about his future. “I’m open to everything. I think until probably after the summer break I will not really sit down with the team and make the decision. We need to see also how the car improves and how we see things into next year. I’m very relaxed.” Alonso, 44, finished fourth in his first season with Aston Martin in 2023 followed by ninth and 10th the last two seasons. Car troubles have prevented him from finishing two of the first three Grand Prix of this season, hurtling him down to 21st in the driver standings. “We have a tough start to the season but we are all embracing this challenge,” Alonso said. “We are together on this, Aston Martin and Honda. Hopefully we can see some results and start having fun on the weekends.” He’s won 32 career F1 races, but none since 2013. While Alonso sounded uncertain about his future racing in F1, he made it clear that exit wouldn’t mean he’s done driving competitively. “I will continue racing. If it’s not F1, I will do Dakar (Rally),” Alonso said. “I said many times it’s a challenge that I want to take, winning endurance racing, F1 and rally. That will probably be unprecedented for any racing driver in the past, so it’s something that is very appealing.” Alonso previously didn’t race in F1 during 2019 and 2020. He twice won the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2018, 2019) and also won a World Endurance championship. Regardless of whether he returns to drive for Aston Martin in F1 in 2027, Alonso also said he plans to be around the team. “I will keep active even if I stop F1. I’m also linked with this team, with this project,” Alonso said. “I want to succeed here, behind the wheel or not behind the wheel, you will see me in the paddock even if I stop racing.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Fernando #Alonso #unsure #future #wont #stop #racing

Post Comment