After a 6-0 start, Denver Broncos fans certainly did not envision this scenario for their beloved team—win against the Chiefs in week 17 and maybe, just maybe you will sneak into the postseason.

For the second consecutive season, the Broncos have blown a three game lead over division rival San Diego for the AFC West title, and for the second straight year, the Broncos are arguably the most inconsistent team in the NFL.

One week, they will beat a team like San Diego on the road, and another week, they will lose at home to the lowly Oakland Raiders.

The Broncos have had their chances this season, no doubt about it.  It is foolish in the NFL to play the “what if?” game, but Denver could easily have locked up a playoff spot already.

If only they had not been the first team to lose to a threeinterception game by Peyton Manning and the Colts. 

If only they had been able to score from two yards out at home late in the fourth quarter against the Raiders. 

If only they had capitalized on golden offensive opportunities against the Philadelphia Eagles.

If only.

The Broncos have missed ample opportunities to clinch a postseason spot, and they have not taken advantage.  A team that once played like the best in the NFL now looks like the team that every analyst and critic thought they would be before the season started.

But they still have one more shot.

The Broncos can erase the bad taste of these last nine games (of which they have lost seven) if they can beat the Kansas City Chiefs at Invesco Field at Mile High on Sunday afternoon.  They will not know whether or not they are destined for the postseason until late Sunday night following the conclusion of the Cincinnati/New York Jets game, one that is critical for the Bengals to win if Denver is to have any shot at the playoffs.

The Broncos have quite a few scenarios in which to clinch a playoff spot on Sunday, as both wild-card spots are up for grabs. 

In the early contests, the Broncos are big fans of both the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins.  New England will travel to Houston to take on the Texans, and Miami plays host to the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

If New England is able to win, they will all but eliminate Houston.  If Miami Wins, they will all but eliminate the Steelers.  Pittsburgh owns the tiebreaker against Denver from their head-to-head win earlier this season.

In the later games, the Broncos need to take care of their own business first and foremost and get rid of the Kansas City Chiefs, who are having an absolutely dreadful season.

Ironically enough, the Broncos also have to be huge Oakland Raiders fans, as the hated division rivals need to upset Baltimore in order for one of Denver’s potential scenarios to come true.  Here are the Broncos’ clinching scenarios:

Broncos clinch playoff berth with

DEN win +

1) NYJ loss + losses by BAL or PIT, OR

2) NYJ loss + HOU win, OR

3) BAL loss + PIT loss or HOU win.

Broncos can clinch berth with DEN loss and any combination of losses by

1) PIT + BAL + HOU + JAC, OR

2) PIT + BAL + HOU + NYJ, OR

3) PIT + BAL + JAC + NYJ, OR

4) PIT + HOU + JAC + NYJ, OR

5) MIA + NYJ + BAL + HOU + JAC.

It is not going to be easy for the Broncos, but the postseason is something they have seemingly been jinxed from for five years, ever since Darrent Williams died.  Denver can erase a lot of bad memories and make plenty of great ones with a victory on Sunday.

And of course, a little bit of help.

Read more Denver Broncos news on BleacherReport.com

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