The Denver Broncos sit at 7-7 and are still in the thick of the AFC Wild Card race (the division title is pretty much out of the question at this point) but they no longer control their own destiny. That means that even if they win each of their three remaining games and finish 10-7, they could still be on the outside looking in.
Unfortunately, Week 15 couldn't have gone much worse for the Broncos. Now, they will need some things to start happening in Week 16. There will be several teams that we are monitoring in the coming weeks:
Cleveland Browns (9-5)
Indianapolis Colts (8-6)
Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)
Houston Texans (8-6)
Buffalo Bills (8-6)
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)
Looking at the coming week's schedule, here are some key factors to consider when watching each of these teams.
Cleveland at Houston
The Browns have put themselves in a good spot to get into the postseason after a great come-from-behind win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. In my mind, they look better with Joe Flacco than they did with Deshaun Watson, P.J. Walker, or Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
The Houston Texans were able to get a big win over the Tennesee Titans on Sunday, defeating them 19-16 in overtime, In my opinion, that loss hurt the Broncos more than any other this weekend.
Key Factor: The health of C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins
The Texans were able to get by the Titans without each of these two players, but they would struggle against a much better Browns team. Tank Dell is already lost for the season, so the Texans are going to need Stroud and Collins back on the field.
Stroud will likely be recovered from the concussion he suffered in Week 14, but the status of Collins will be one to keep an eye on.
Indianapolis at Atlanta
This is an interesting game where the Colts go on the road against an NFC team, but it is one that is struggling, having just lost to the Carolina Panthers, who had just one win on the season.
Like the Browns, the Colts seem to be playing better with the backup quarterback than the guy who started the season but rookie head coach Shane Steichen has done a solid job with this team.
Key Factor: The health of wide receiver Michael Pittman
Pittman took a nasty hit on Saturday from Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee, who on Monday was given the Kareem Jackson treatment and suspended for the remainder of the season.
Pittman left the game with a concussion and will have to go through the league's protocol before getting back on the field. Can the Colts get a win on the road without their No. 1 wide receiver?
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
It's hard to be rooting for any of these teams but the Steelers seem like the least threatening team in this race and a win over the Bengals would put both teams at 8-7. If the Broncos defeat the New England Patriots, they will also be 8-7.
Root for the Steelers to get this win.
Key Factor: Bengals likely to be without Ja'Marr Chase
You have to give these teams credit for winning games and staying in this race with all of the key injuries they are dealing with but now the Bengals have another one.
Already down quarterback Joe Burrow, the team will likely be without its top wideout, Ja'Marr Chase, for at least this game.
Buffalo at L.A. Chargers
Talk about two teams going in completely different directions.
The Chargers have all but folded up shop on this season after firing head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco and now they get a red-hot Bills team that no one wants to face in the playoffs.
So with any luck, they will be left out. However, rooting for a Bills loss here is going to be tough after the Chargers just gave up 63 points to the Las Vegas Raiders last week.
Key Factor: Giff Smith
Giff Smith was serving as the Chargers' outside linebackers coach and he has been named the team's interim coach for the rest of this year. How will the Chargers respond to Smith? Will they be inspired and be "up" for this game?
It will be a big week and things could become much more clear in this playoff race. For the Broncos, none of it will matter if they can't beat the Patriots at home.