ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — We know the Broncos must win their final three games and get lots of help if they are to become the No. 6 and final AFC playoff seed.
There is a simpler scenario for the Broncos to be eliminated: A loss to the Browns and a Tennessee Titans win at the New York Giants would drop Denver from playoff contention.
In all, it appears the playoff mathematicians have come up with three scenarios in which the Broncos would be eliminated from postseason play. The scenarios’ common denominator is a Broncos loss Saturday to the Cleveland Browns.
The three elimination scenarios:
*A Broncos loss to the Browns on Saturday plus a Tennessee Titans win at the New York Giants on Sunday. This is simplest scenario.
*A Broncos loss to the Browns, plus a Steelers home win against New England, plus a Ravens home win against Tampa Bay, plus a Bengals home loss to the Raiders. The Steelers, Ravens and Bengals all play Sunday afternoon.
*There is also a possibility the Broncos would be eliminated with a loss to Cleveland and an Indianapolis home win against Dallas on Sunday if it’s determined Denver can’t possibly win the strength of victory tiebreaker, which is currently fluid.
The strength of victory tiebreaker can’t be determined until after all games are played this week.
On a positive note, the Broncos know if they beat the Browns, they keep their playoff chances alive heading into next week’s games.
