Through 12 weeks, the regular season is now more than 65 percent complete and for fans of the Denver Broncos, the fact that this conversation can even be had, the fact that this article can even be written, is both shocking and incredible.
It wasn't long ago that the season seemed like it was completely over just six weeks in. Sad and frustrated, Broncos fans were trying to figure out how to get through a season where there were still going to be 10 or 11 non-competitive contests.
Things have sure changed.
The Broncos have now won their last five contests and they have done so with a consistent formula. A strong running game, an opportunistic defense that has 15 takeaways in its last five games and a quarterback that is making timely plays has been the perfect recipe for a turnaround.
Could this Broncos team go from 1-5 to the playoffs? For the record, only three teams in the history of the league have accomplished that. Here's how the current AFC playoff picture looks. Remember, the top seven teams make the playoffs.
1. Baltimore Ravens (9-3)
If the season were to end today, the Baltimore Ravens would be the No. 1 seed in the AFC and they would have a first-round bye and home-field advantage.
The Ravens are one of the league's best running team (if not the best) and Lamar Jackson is going to be in the league MVP conversation again. They also have a defense that is playing at a high level and an experienced head coach that has won it all before.
Any time the Ravens are in this position, this is the kind of team they have. And they are not going to be an easy out for anyone.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (8-3)
The Chiefs are going to be in the playoffs because they have Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid and a team that has gotten used to winning. But it's clear that when you watch this team, it's (currently) not as good or as scary as it has been in the last few years.
Mahomes and Reid will carry them far, but to get over the hump they are going to need someone other than Travis Kelce to step up and make plays when it counts. Is that guy (or guys) even on this roster?
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3)
The Jaguars are proving that last year was no fluke and they were able to pick up a huge win over the Houston Texans on Sunday to take command of the AFC South.
The Jags are another team with a quality head coach, a balanced offensive attack and a defense that does enough to get the job done. This team will have a chance to make some noise in the postseason so long as it can stay healthy.
4. Miami Dolphins (8-3)
The Dolphins may have dropped to the fourth seed for now, but do not forget about this team. They still have the ability to be the most dangerous team in the AFC.
Tua Tagovailoa will be in the MVP conversation and the Dolphins are going to be a team that can blow you away with flat-out speed on any given day. They are going to be one of the last teams anyone wants to play come January.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4)
It's hard to say how this team sits where it does as it has been outscored by 23 total points this year and outgained in total yards. But they just find ways to win.
The offense is not good and Kenny Pickett often looks about as bad as a starting quarterback can look, but firing offensive coordinator Matt Canada might have been a great move for the team. They gained over 400 yards on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals for the first time this season.
But is anyone really scared to play this team? They do have T.J. Watt, possibly the best defensive player in the league, but the Steelers are not an intimidating team right now.
6. Cleveland Browns (7-4)
Yes, despite losing to the Broncos, the Cleveland Browns still hold the No. 6 spot in the race. That is mostly due to their stingy defense.
But you just feel like this team is ready to take a nosedive with its quarterback issues and with the Broncos now holding the head-to-head tiebreaker over them, that is going to be key.
7. Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
The Colts have overachieved this year and are actually better with Gardner Minshew at quarterback than they were with rookie Anthony Richardson, but they are a team that, like the Steelers, are not going to be much of a roadblock for any team if they actually qualify for the postseason.
In the Hunt
Now we get to the in the hunt portion of the standings, which is where the Broncos currently fall.
8. Houston Texans (6-5)
The Texans are a much better team than anyone thought they would be and rookie C.J. Stroud has been incredible. This is the Broncos' next opponent, making it an extremely important game.
9. Denver Broncos (6-5)
The Broncos have won five games in a row and currently sit in a tie with Colts at 6-5. The Colts would own the tiebreaker if the season ended today, but there is plenty of time for that to turn around. The Week 13 game against the Texans is going to be massive.
10. Buffalo Bills (6-6)
It's almost shocking to see this team down this far, they have gone in the opposite direction that the Broncos have gone. The Bills are a better team than the Steelers, Browns and Colts, but they are finding ways to lose games, rather than finding ways to win them.
The rest of the AFC
Cincinnati Bengals (5-6): Without Joe Burrow, they are in trouble.
Las Vegas Raiders (5-7): They are a lot better without Josh McDaniels, but just not there yet.
Los Angeles Chargers (4-7): This team should be so much better than it is.
Tennessee Titans (4-7): Even with a win on Sunday, it looks like a lost year for the Titans.
New York Jets (4-7): Aaron Rodgers is out of his mind if he plans to try and come back to this team this season.
New England Patriots (2-9): Overall, probably the worst team in the league, which is shocking for a team led by Bill Belichick.
There are six weeks left in the regular season and there is sure to be a lot of shifting in these standings. It's a great thing to see that the Broncos have gotten themselves into the conversation.