After the Broncos won the game against the Bengals, they clinched a playoff spot for the fifth year in a row. While they clinched a playoff spot, they did not, however, clinch the AFC West division title. The Kansas City Chiefs trail the Broncos by just one game but can clinch the AFC West title next week if the Broncos lose to the San Diego Chargers and if they (the Chiefs) beat the Oakland Raiders.

The Broncos head into the playoffs with a banged up group of guys. Running back, CJ Anderson, has both a back and ankle injury while safety Omar Bolden is out another week with a hamstring injury. It looks like Quarterback Peyton Manning will not play for another week as Coach Kubiak said to ESPN on Tuesday that “nothing's changed'' in regards to the quarterback position (this was said the day after the Broncos beat the Bengals 20-17). Brock Osweiler will prepare to start next week against the Chargers making it his seventh start of the year.

The big challenge for the Broncos coaching staff will be deciding who will start at quarterback for the team in the playoffs. If Osweiler starts against the Chargers, that will give Manning another week to heal his long injured foot and prepare his body and mind for the playoffs. If Manning is healthy and ready to go come playoff time, will the Denver coaches want to pull Osweiler out of the starting job and redo the whole offensive scheme in one week? Manning and Osweiler run two totally different offenses and it would be quite a task for the offensive players to have to switch from one offense to another one week before the biggest game of the year.

However, even with a tough decision ahead in regards to who will be the starting quarterback as well as some player injuries, the Broncos still have their strengths. In fact, TJ Ward returned to the NFL’s best defense on Monday, which was a huge boost for the Broncos that helped them clinch the playoff spot on Monday. With Ward healthy, the Broncos defense is all back and ready to go for the playoffs. The Denver D has been a huge part of the Broncos success this season and they will need to perform at their best if the Broncos want to make a run towards a third Super Bowl title.

The Broncos rushing game has sprung back to life after a slow game against the Oakland Raiders. In the last two games, the Broncos have rushed 46 times for 217 yards and two touchdowns. The running game will be vital to the Broncos success in the playoffs. The Broncos will need to rush the ball well if they want to open up room for their passing game.

If the playoffs were to start today, the Broncos would get a bye in the first round and take on the highest winning seed in the wild card round. The Broncos could very likely play the Bengals or the Chiefs in the first round of the playoffs, which would make for some exciting football. The Broncos keys to success in the playoffs are keeping the strong defense rolling and to keep pressure on the opposing defense with the running game, which will open up the passing game for Manning or Osweiler. The Broncos look strong going into the playoffs and could make a serious push towards their third Super Bowl title.